Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Michael:
Recently it was discovered in our financial records that there were several unauthorized parish credit card transactions and misappropriated funds. We immediately contacted the Diocese of Nashville and asked them to review our parish financial records.
The employee involved in the unauthorized transactions is no longer employed by the parish. The parish will seek reimbursement from the employee and if necessary, through our insurance coverage. Please be assured that we are working to restore all misappropriated funds. The amount to be sought for recovery is $45,000.
We have restructured purchasing procedures and financial controls have been established with the assistance of the Diocese. A bookkeeper from the Diocese will be coming to the Church Office each week to assist us and monitor new procedures to prevent this from ever happening again.
Mandee Johnson is now the Office Manager and Jennifer Beard, Director of Religious Education, will be assisting her in the office.
We will keep you informed of new developments.
Please pray for everyone involved in this matter.
Yours in Christ,
Father Anthony