Updates from the Vicar General and Chancellor
Renew + Rebuild Rebates The development office is currently preparing for September rebates and want to share some information about how they are calculated. Rebates are dispersed on a quarterly basis and directly deposited into the parish account set up specifically for Renew + Rebuild. For option 1 parishes, the first monies paid fulfill the parish’s cardinal’s appeal goal for the year(s) it fundraised for Renew + Rebuild. When the appeal goal has been fulfilled, payments are then split 74% to the parish and 26% to the archdiocese. These payments are based off of only the previous three months. After the parish has cashed the full amount of its R+R goal, additional funds are split 85% to the parish and 15% to the archdiocese. If a parish exceeds 120% in payments, the parish will receive 100% of the money cashed. These thresholds are based off of payments, not pledges. Ensuring parishes receive their funds so that they can complete their capital projects is our highest priority. We work closely with our colleagues in finance and the donor data center to distribute these rebates to parishes in a timely and accurate fashion. Our goal is to disperse the rebates for this quarter to parishes by the end of September. If you have additional questions, contact Bettina Alonso at [email protected] and 646-794-3393.
Status Animarum From the Latin meaning state of souls, this accounting is a register of people living in a parish and events related to them. Today, we refer to it as the annual sacramental report. Every year, we collect Mass attendance numbers, sacramental figures, religious education and regional or parish school enrollment, staffing and volunteer personnel data for each parish church and worship site. In view of the fact that we are still involved in the “culture of planning” throughout the archdiocese, be as accurate as you can with your report. The Mass attendance numbers will be reported for Sunday, October 20, 2019, the Twenty-Ninth Sunday of the Church Year, including the anticipated Masses on Saturday evening. For the sacramental and other data, report for the time period requested. The information that you provide is helpful for parish planning in the archdiocese and for responding to the reports that are required by the Holy See and the Episcopal conference. I will be grateful to receive your statistics by Monday, November 18, 2019. The information for the Kenedy Official Catholic Directory is always sent to you separately. We are hoping that this will be the last year of completing this form manually. By next year, we will be moving to a more automated process which should make things easier for everyone involved.
Celebret and Testimony of Suitability: Which is which? You may refer to the August 27 memo, but to summarize, if traveling within the country, be sure you have a testimony of suitability from the office of priest personnel (646-794-2930). Whenever you leave the country, secure a celebret from the office of canonical services (646-794-2929). Don’t leave home without them.
Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees All parishes are required annually by New York State Religious Corporation Law and the Archdiocese of New York Uniform By-Laws to hold an annual meeting of the trustees by the second Wednesday of November at the parish corporation’s principal office. At this meeting, the pastor, as corporate secretary and treasurer and the two lay trustees shall review and accept the annual financial report. Following the meeting, please send the year-end financial report to the finance office. The minutes of the annual meeting must be kept on file at the parish office.
Line of Duty Death In the unfortunate event of the death of a parishioner who is serving in the United States military or those in uniform on the police or fire departments who die in the line of duty, pastors are asked to notify the office of the vicar general with funeral arrangements.
Presbyteral Council Selections Now that summer is over, it is time to think about choosing priests to fill vacancies on the presbyteral council. His Eminence has underscored the importance of this council in his administration. He expressed his hope that priests would make themselves available to serve on this senate and he urges the widest possible engagement in the selection process. He wants to be assured that the make-up of the council is truly representative. Your active participation is clearly desired. Deans and area conference chairs are encouraged to discuss these vacancies with their constituencies.
From Adult Faith Formation Upcoming events for your parish groups include the New York Catholic Bible Summit, The Bible in a Time for Healing, the tour of the relics of St. Damien and St. Marianne of Molokai, and the Men’s Conference, Men of Character in Today’s World. Also, refer to the letter from Elizabeth Guevara de Gonzalez about the updates to the FORMED platform and how each parish may renew. Those who have used it know it is a great tool for catechesis.
New York Catholic Youth Day will be held on is on Saturday, October 19 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. A great day is planned for the teens of our parishes and will include live music, inspiring speakers, theatre showcase and packing food for the hungry. Download the working schedule to learn more about the day.
Year End Financial Statements Now is the time to work with your accountant, bookkeeper and associate director of parish finance (AD) to complete and submit all financial statements by Thursday, October 31. Include a balance sheet and income statement for each parish entry (church, school, cemetery). In addition to the financial statements, be sure to complete the trustee sign-off sheet and return it to Marcus Ryan, director of parish finance. Finally, fill in the Board of Trustees Annual Meeting Minutes and keep these in your parish files. If we can assist in any way, call Marcus at (646) 794-2814.
Letter to a Suffering Church Bishop Robert Barron has mailed to every priest in the country his latest book in which he writes about the sexual abuse crisis. In it, he states that 37% of Catholics are considering leaving the Church due to this calamity. This book can help. At the low price of a dollar a book, you can order copies for your friends, family or parish and access free resources for discussing it. Visit www.sufferingchurchbook.com.
Family Day: Making Every Day Special® is a National Center on Addiction Substance Abuses initiative to promote simple, everyday things parents can do to build a strong, healthy relationship with their kids that prevents future drug use. Family Day will be celebrated nationwide on Monday, September 23, 2019. To learn more or to join parents all across America in taking the Family Day STAR pledge, visit www.casafamilyday.org. You may also find Family Day on Facebook and Twitter.
Ordination to the Priesthood The date for priesthood ordination for next year will be Saturday, May 23, 2020. Please mark appropriate calendars to avoid scheduling conflicts.
Parish Restricted School Renovation Account Program (PRSRAP) This program was established in 2017 and created a parish assistance corporation (PAC) account in the name of the parish that is recorded on its financials. It provides for the deposit of a minimum of $40,000 per year into a 4% interest bearing PAC account which is restricted for school capital repairs. Over time, these deposits and interest will provide a reserve fund that will significantly help maintain school buildings. Be aware that these deposits are made near the end of the fiscal year (August 31). Look for it on your next PAC statement.
To reach the chancery after hours and on weekends,
call Community Answering Service at 877-582-2996.
Add this number to the list of contacts in your mobile telephone
(Chancery Emergency).