When I was a child the Little Sisters of the Poor operated St. Augustine Home for the aged in downtown Indianapolis. In those days, the Sisters would go begging every day at the Market and other places to get food for the residents. The Sisters have a great devotion to St. Joseph. When things were good, they praised Joseph. But if they did not have enough coal for heating or enough food, Joseph got turned to the wall. I am sure you have noticed that for several years we have prayed to St. Joseph to help with our financial stability. I at times have wondered if Joseph was going to answer our prayer. I think he has; just not the way I thought it would be.
Over the past several years St. Gabriel parish has experienced a number of significant changes.
- The demographics of our population has changed substantially
- The number of families has remained relatively constant, but the economic and social nature of our family has changed.
- The income level in the Sunday collection has dropped significantly
- The number of students in St. Gabriel School has declined and the educational cost per student has risen substantially. One of the reasons for drop in enrollment is the increasing inability of parents to afford private education; and there has been an increase in requests for financial aide.
In recent years there has annually been an operational deficit. At first the savings that had been built up over a period of years was used to cover the shortfall. Then the parish began to carry an operational deficit. At first it was just a few thousand dollars per year. But as income declined the deficit rose per year. Currently we are running an average of $10,000 per week deficit in payroll. Each week the deficit is added to our parish debt to the Archdiocese.
In recent years the Archdiocese has hired a man by the name of Mike Witka. He is Director of Parish Financial Services. Shortly after I assumed responsibility for the parish Financial Commission Mr. Witka contacted me urging me to formulate a plan to retire the parish debt. At the same time a number of parishioners were coming to me expressing concern about our debt and what we could do about it.
When I first became pastor in January 1999 the parish had just completed a successful capital campaign. There had been parish meetings and the decision was made to build a permanent church. Most of the funds taken in by the Legacy of Hope are still on deposit. Then followed the Legacy for our Mission capital campaign. It was our hope to get sufficient funds to begin construction on the Church. We tried to make it clear that it was not just a new church we needed. We needed space for ministry. We did not quite achieve our goal and over time there were several attempts to raise the needed funds without success. And as time past, and no construction, a number of givers discontinued payment of their pledge.
I have always been very conscious of the importance of using funds for the purpose they were intended. A few years ago I was approached by an Archdiocesan representative about using some of our capital funds to pay the debt. I refused because I consider it in appropriate to use funds for anything other than the designated purpose.
Once I became the “go to man” for the Finance Commission two things became clear. We were “dead in the water” regarding getting funds to build. The debit was mounting literally daily.
This past summer I had meetings with both Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Education and the Finance Services personnel. .
- Discussions of the consolidation of Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School were progressing favorably. If this occurred this would alleviate our urgent need for space.
- Although I had personal reservations, the way out of our financial situation was payment of the debt and I began talking about what might happen if we used some of our capital funds to pay down the debt.
The Archdiocese and I came to a tentative understanding that we would pay down half of the debit with funds from the capital campaign and retire the remainder over a 20 year period, interest free. Which I thought was kind – interest free. When the final agreement was reached – the Archdiocese had added an element. The Archdiocese would match us dollar for dollar that we paid on the remainder of the debt. So now we would be able to pay off the debt in less than 10 years.
Now the debt is manageable. With the educational partnership taking effect our educational cost will be manageable. The children will have gym space. Our current physical plant is now available for the parish for ministry; we have no need for additional space. I have ask Jim Schillinger of CSO Architect to give us a rendering of a concept of what is possible make our current worship space into a permanent church with the funds we have available.
But first I need your permission to redirect part of the capital funds for debt payment. Thus my need for the Sunday parish meeting.
Once I have that permission, I am going to revitalize the Building Committee. They will work on a permanent church. Then they will work on what to do with the remaining space.
We have much potential. I hope we work together and in the months ahead become more energized as a parish than we ever have before. We have our whole future ahead of us.
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YouTube videos on our October 25, 2009 parish meeting is now available in our photo and video gallery. This is the meeting described in the articles below where a proposal was presented to pay down our debt and to renovate our church. 
