Fellow Parishioners,

We are writing to share an important update regarding the Parish finances.  Please take the time to read this correspondence and to prayerfully consider if you can assist the Parish in its time of need.

           COVID 19 has resulted in a dramatic decrease in the weekly offertory.  As of today’s date, the offertory is approximately $15,000 less per week than the budgeted amount; the amount needed to pay the Parish bills.  If this trend continues the shortfall will continue to increase and worsen.        

 The expenses associated with the church, Parish Life Center, and Parish office continue even though they are not open to Parishioners.  Father John, Parish Administrator Margaret Myers, and the Finance Council have diligently worked to reduce expenses as much as possible.  For instance, the air conditioning has been set to a higher temperature to reduce electric bills and a freeze has been placed on all purchases unless essential to keep the Parish running.  In addition, all directors are required to review their budgets and make as many budget cuts as possible.  Even with these measures, the Parish cannot meet its monthly expenses.

If the offertory is not increased by $15,000/week, all Parish staff not considered “essential employees” under the Archdiocesan guidelines will need to be placed on a two-week furlough.   With your spirit of sacrificial giving, we hope to pull together as a St. Angela family and avoid a furlough for our hard-working staff. 

For those of you who can contribute to the offertory, or perhaps increase your contribution in this time of need, please do so as quickly as possible.  We understand that not everyone will be able to make their weekly offering due to the impact of COVID 19.  To those of you who can assist, we ask that you utilize online giving through Faith Direct.  The on-line giving is easily set up through the website faith.direct/TX744.  You control the amount of the donation as well as the frequency of the donation and can use a bank account or a credit card.

            If you cannot contribute weekly, a one-time gift would help as well.  If you prefer to mail the Parish your contributions, the address is St. Angela Merici Church, 6140 Highway 6, PMB 99, Missouri City, TX  77459. 

The Parish has been, and will remain, here for us.  Father John and Father Joy provided an on-line mass during their time in quarantine and continue to do so daily.  The Parish staff continues their work duties from home and has helped keep us engaged with the various ministries.  

Likewise, the Parishioners have always been there for the Parish and for one another in times of need.  During Hurricane Harvey the Knights of Columbus went to a Parishioner’s home to patch their roof and hundreds of Parishioners assisted those in Sienna Plantation and Riverstone when their houses flooded.  The Parishioners were also there for the Murray family when their infant daughter was in NICU, when fellow Parishioners lost loved ones, when fellow Parishioners have been ill, and countless other examples.  Let us continue to come together for one another and for the Parish.  Together, we will bring blessings out of a difficult situation.

Please join us in showing our gratitude for the hard-working staff by utilizing on-line giving or mailing your contribution.  Collectively, we can avoid a furlough.

 May God continue to bless you and your family and help you and yours through this difficult and uncertain time.

                                                           

Respectfully yours in service,

St. Angela Merici Finance Council