Our Easter collection is one of our two major annual Holy Day collections to support our parish.
We depend on the support of our parishioners throughout the year to fund our total operating budget. This includes the maintenance of our beautiful basilica where we gather in worship (now with increasing attendance as we leave COVID restrictions behind), and our over 40 parish ministries that support each and every one of us at all stages of our lives.
In addition, and as we are all aware, our parish was faced with sudden and unexpected costs in recent years when we were forced to replace the entire basilica ceiling and to make extensive repairs to the bell tower. These projects are now complete and the results are first rate, due in large part to the close attention to cost and detail from our own parish staff, led by Fr Simon.
Thanks to the generosity of those who came before us we were fortunate to have savings to draw upon to cover the bills for the over $3 million in costs for these projects. In addition to our support for our ongoing ministries and operations we are also called upon to replenish those savings and restore our financial reserves.
Our parish is our family in faith, and like any good family we are called to be present for each other. We support each other in our shared worship, in our shared prayers, and in our shared experiences.
No matter our circumstances our giving to others truly is a shared message of hope in the Risen Lord this Easter.