Updates from the Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia
Parish Restricted School Renovation Account Program (PRSRA) There are a large number of pastors who are successfully utilizing the Parish Restricted School Renovation Account (PRSRA) to repair their school buildings. The archdiocese wants all parishes hosting a school in the GRSS program to have a $40,000 minimum deposit placed in the PRSRA each year. To achieve this, the archdiocese refunds the parish its school tax and if that is not sufficient, then provides an additional gift to ensure each parish who hosts a GRSS school has at least $40,000 deposited each year (parishes which have 4 or more UPK classrooms do not receive additional funds). The expectation is to allow the balance of the restricted PAC deposit account to grow and, in time, have a reserve for significant capital projects. This money is earning 4% interest. At this time each Parish Restricted School Renovation Account should have a $120,000 minimum balance (plus interest) unless they have been borrowing for projects.
To complete repairs on its school building a parish can obtain a PAC loan at the interest rate of 5% to cover the costs of the work. This PAC loan (principal and interest) will be paid directly from the restricted PAC deposit account. No parish funds are used to repay the loan. The 1% difference between the 5% interest expense on the loan and 4% interest earned on the deposit is the cost of administering the program by the PAC ($4 million per year).
Therefore, this allows for multiple projects to be carried out as needed. The length of the loan is coterminous with the useful life of the work that was done. The account is owned by the parish. If you still have questions, give us a call at the finance office.
Seminary Ordination We are pleased to announce the ordination to the diaconate for the Archdiocese of New York of the Reverend Mr. Luis Silva along with five others from the class of 2020. The ordination took place on November 9 at the seminary chapel. May Christ the Good Shepherd continue to accompany, bless guide and shape their hearts after His Sacred Heart with great pastoral zeal in the service of the Church.
Share the Word Please give access to all your priests and staff members to that material which is pertinent to them, enclosed in the monthly mailing from the office of the vicar general. For it to succeed, we recommend that this Some Things to Know be posted in the public area of the general office.
Safeguard Your Sacramental Registers In accordance with the code of canon law, each parish is to maintain registers for recording baptisms, marriages and deaths. Generally, registers for confirmation, first holy communion, RCIA and the anointing of the sick are also maintained. In the baptism register are also to be noted confirmation and those things which pertain to the canonical status of the Christian faithful (marriage, adoption, reception of holy orders, perpetual profession in a religious institute, or change of rite). These notations are always to be included on the baptism certificate. Each parish is to have its own seal. Documents regarding the canonical status of the Christian faithful and all acts which can have juridic importance are to be signed by the pastor or his delegate and impressed with the parochial seal. As new registers need to be ordered, if at all possible the pages should be made of acid-free paper. As registers become worn, they are to be rebound by a professional binder. Sacramental registers are to be stored in a locked, secure place, preferably one which is fire-proof or fire-resistant. The registers may be removed only by authorized personnel. The loss or destruction of any sacramental register should be reported immediately to the office of the vicar general.
Requests for Confirmation As you prepare for the upcoming confirmation season, know that Bishops Byrne, Colacicco, Dominick, Iriondo, O’Hara, Walsh and Whalen maintain their own schedules. They are generally responsible for their particular area. A master schedule is maintained at the office of the vicar general. If you are intending to invite a bishop from outside the archdiocese, make note that you need to request permission beforehand from the vicar general. When listing this confirmation in your parish registry, kindly include the words “cum licentia Ordinarii” together with the date of the letter of consent. In 2019, there were 314 confirmations, most of them during the Easter season. You may wish to consider a ceremony at another time of the liturgical year.
Missa Pro Populo Recently, questions have been raised regarding this requirement of canon 534. Every pastor is mandated to offer the Mass for the people of the parish (Missa pro populo) on Sundays and holy days of obligation observed in the archdiocese. This serious obligation arises from the unique spiritual relationship which exists between the pastor and his people, which is why it is the pastor who is to celebrate this Mass. For pastors who have the care of several parishes, there only needs to be one Mass for all of them. The Missa pro populo should be listed in the bulletin. It is not to be combined with other intentions. It is not required that it be offered in the parish church. If a pastor is on a scheduled vacation, for example, and will be away from his parish, he could celebrate this Mass at another location. Missae pro populo are the personal obligation of the pastor. If these are delegated to a visiting priest or a parochial vicar, then the appropriate stipend for an announced Mass must be given in justice. Over and above the offering made by the donor, non-assigned priests who assist at parishes on Sundays and weekdays are entitled to receive a Mass fee for services rendered. Factors, including transportation are to be considered in setting this rate.
Chancery Emergency To reach the chancery after hours, call Community Answering Service at 877-582-2996.