ST. CHRISTOPHER PARISH ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP REPORT 2015-2016 FISCAL YEAR THE REPORT Pastoral Letter P.1 Financial Report P.2 St. Chris By-The-Numbers P.3-4 PARISH STAFF Rev. John Tonkin, Pastor Joan Dunn, Pastoral Associate Bonnie Prine, Administrative Asst. Bob Ahlers, Business Manager OUR BOLD VISION The vision of St. Christopher Parish is to embody the Gospel message by creating and developing a community of believers who are pursuing Christian values and witnessing to the love of God and neighbor both within and beyond the parish community. Lisa Thompsen, Bookkeeper David Brush, Communications Elise Wahle-Sas, Youth Minister Linda Slattery-Lohmoeller, GIFT Judy Shoup, Center for Children Alex Bonner, Music Director Mary Kincaid, School Principal CONTACT 435 E. National Road Vandalia, OH 45377 (937) 898-3542 church.stchristopheronline.com Facebook.com/stchristopher
MUCH FOR WHICH TO BE THANKFUL A Letter from Rev. Francis Keferl, Pastor Emeritus As you peruse the Stewardship Report for fiscal year 2015-16, I hope you will find there is much for which to be grateful. Once again God has blessed our efforts to be a community that gives witness to his love. We have welcomed new members, come to the aid of strangers, watched our children grow in discipleship, hopefully, advanced in our own relationship with the Lord, and helped loved ones make the transition to a greater share in eternal life. To quote St. Paul, I[we] can do all things through Christ who strengthens me [us]. (Philippians 4:13) You will see in this report that much has been done to maintain the physical well-being of our facilities, thanks to parishioner support, our Facilities Commission and an astute Business Manager. Working together, with God s help, we can do great things! With a new fiscal year, there are changes in leadership. Fr. Tonkin is ready, willing and able to lead our parish family. But he surely will depend upon the support of the whole parish. St. Christopher Parish has a good reputation in the local Catholic community. But like most other parishes, we struggle with total or even majority support from members. Across this nation, Catholic parishes find that the wonderful things accomplished are done so with financial support from relatively few. It is my hope that St. Christopher Parish becomes a leader among parishes in terms of stewardship. If everyone made a sacrificial gift, we could do far greater things than we now accomplish. The Bible recommends tithing (10% of one s income given back to God). This means off the top, not from what s left over. I can personally testify that tithing works. And one of the richest blessings of tithing is that it helps one avoid materialism and the rampant consumerism of the culture in which we live. It makes me question what are real necessities as opposed to the indulgences we can so easily convince ourselves are necessary. I pray that every parish member will commit to supporting the parish in time, talent and treasure, and consider annually whether the support needs to be adjusted up or down, dependent on one s own circumstances. As this is my last opportunity to address the whole parish, I want to thank everyone for the privilege of sharing your life s journey with its joys and sorrows. Thank you for being patient with my limited abilities and forgiving of my human sinfulness. And be assured that I hold no ill will toward anyone with whom I encountered conflict. May Peace reign in our hearts! St. Christopher Parish made great strides this past year in a renewed online presence for outreach and communication. Among these strides: WEBSITE AND MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS The Parish Website received an update during the latter half of the fiscal year. The new site maintains functionality with a focus on current information, user-friendliness and a mobile design for smartphone browsers. Through MyParish App, there is now an additional way for parishioners to interface with the parish at large. Daily Mass readings, national Catholic news, and even online prayer requests are now possible via the app. St. Christopher has taken steps toward greater interfacing between social media platforms (including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Sound Cloud) in an effort to create a complete outreach experience. Beginning with Fr. John Tonkin s inaugural weekend, audio homilies are now available every week via the website and app.
St. Christopher Parish Financial Report Fiscal Year July 1, 2015 June 30, 2016 PARISH: REVENUE EXPENSES Sunday Collection $1,028,160 Festival 52,990 Other 41,584 Subtotal $1,122,734 Personnel Costs $488,285 Utilities/Capital Improv. 34,981 Archdiocese Assessment 108,915 Operating Costs 185,659 Subtotal $817,840 SCHOOL: Tuition $1,067,057 State Subsidy 134,031 Book Fees/Other 31,363 Subtotal $1,232,451 Personnel Costs $1,529,788 Utilities 59,674 Operating Costs 95,971 Subtotal $1,685,433 CAFETERIA: Fees $69,504 Personnel Cost/Food $86,647 CENTER FOR CHILDREN: Fees $338,185 Personnel/Oper. Cost $362,639 TOTAL $2,762,874 $2,952,559 NET LOSS $(189,685)
Beyond the Numbers Youth Ministry has been nothing but a positive and rewarding presence in my life. Without the relationships and experiences I gained through Youth Ministry, I would not be the person I am today. - Claire Long, Class of 2016 A Community of Faith and Fellowship St. Christopher By The Numbers Part 1 Parish Baptisms 49 Liturgical Ministry Greeters 21 St. Christopher prepared me for high school by providing me with supportive and encouraging teachers. I also learned the value of hard work and responsibility all while strengthening my relationship with God. Weddings 11 Funerals 29 New Parishioners 62 Total Registered Families 1781 First Communion 54 Confirmation 56 Religious Education / GIFT GIFT Students 140 Early Childhood GIFT 10 Children s Liturgy of the Word 30 Vacation Bible School 82 Catechists 16 Youth Ministry Total Youth 200+ Ushers 115 Servers 49 Lectors 31 Eucharistic Ministers 125 Ministers to the Sick 34 Music Ministers 50 Adult Faith / RCIA Baptisms 8 Adults, 1 Child Receptions 7 Adults, 8 Children School Eucharistic Ministers Teachers 12 Students 28 - Taylor Imwalle, Butler High School Mission Trip Attendance 32 Summer of Service 50 Catechists 16
Beyond the Numbers The St. Christopher Parish Community is part of my extended family. My own worship is enhanced by such a faith-filled community. A Community of Growing and Learning St. Christopher By The Numbers Part 2 Center for Children Preschool 34 Pre-Kindergarten 39 St. Christopher School Total Students 336 Principal s List 30 The sense of fellowship is what keeps me coming to back to St. Christopher time and again. From the daycare to the school to daily Mass, Christ is ever-present. - St. Christopher parishioners After School 47 Summer Preschool 21 Summer School Age 19 Community Affairs Christmas In July Parish Health Ministry Vandalia-Butler Food Pantry Advent Giving Tree Social Activities Donut Sundays A Honors 41 B Honors 82 Geography Bee Awards 10 Spelling Bee Awards 9 Presidential Youth Fitness 118 CJ Writing Contest 55 Power of The Pen 8 National Science League 2 Presidential Achievement 33 Green Team 7 Breakfast with Santa Senior Graduation Dinner Anniversary Brunch St. Christopher Summer Festival St. Christopher Annual Gala Parish Picnic
MANY MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ST. CHRISTOPHER CAMPUS New large windows were installed in the St. Christopher school library. FACILITIES WERE COMPLETED DURING THE 2015-2016 FISCAL YEAR New carpeting was installed in the classrooms at St. Christopher School. Phase 1 of the new school roof began in Summer 2016 with Phase 2 completion scheduled for Summer 2017. The parish office has been updated with an all-new furnace and air-conditioning.
IN LOVING MEMORY REVEREND ROBERT J. MONNIN 1929-2016
ST. CHRISTOPHER CATHOLIC CHURCH 435 E. NATIONAL ROAD VANDALIA, OHIO 45377 937-898-3542 church.stchristopheronline.com Facebook.com/stchristopher