Cluster Finance 2020

Accompanying Letter

Dear Parishioner

I hope you and all your family are well and I pray that we will all be able to meet up in the near future, both in Church and in other gatherings.

This last year and a half has taken its toll on all of us, in physical terms, mental health and financially. For all of these reasons I have put off for some time talking to you about the finance of the three parishes. Unfortunately, it has now come to the point where I need to bring the various finances to everyone’s attention. 

Prior to the pandemic our three parishes have always had sufficient offertory collections that enabled us to cover the parish expenses, but have rarely had much to carry forward. When the pandemic struck our main source of income immediately ceased. 

There have always been a number of people who had contributed via standing order and in the first few weeks and months, we were immensely grateful for this. As time has passed, a good few others contacted their parishes and asked to do this also. Yet more saved up their contributions, and handed them in at various points over the last 18 months. 

On the expenses side, many of our expenses are fixed. For example heat and light, insurance, Council Tax, equipment hire (e.g. photocopier) and grounds maintenance. Whether the church is open or closed these expenses still have to be met.

Each year we must also contribute 20% of our offertory income to the Archdiocese. In addition this year, the Archdiocese has, as you know, requested that a survey be carried out in each parish and any resulting necessary works be implemented as soon as possible. The cost of the survey and the remedial works is to be met by individual parishes.

All of these circumstances have combined to impact our bank balances significantly. We can’t allow this situation to continue, as 2 out of our 3 parishes will be insolvent by the end of the year.

Further to all of this are the results of the Survey carried out in all three parishes, but St John Vianney’s in particular. For those of you who are not yet aware, the remedial works required by the survey at St John Vianney’s are estimated at £140,000. There will be an open parish meeting on 26^th September after Mass in St John Vianney’s to discuss this and seek to find a way forward. 

When we look at all of this information combined, I’m sure you can see how serious the position is for all three of our parishes.

I would be grateful if you could look at the attached information for your individual parish and see how the income and expenditure has changed due to the pandemic. Please also find some time to look over the other parishes.

Our individual parishes are at the heart of our communities, and we want to ensure that each parish can thrive in the future. Unfortunately, Finance is part and parcel of the responsibility we need to face to make this possible.

I ask that you read through the material provided and reflect on it. Can I ask especially that you read the last page of the document and if it is within your means to do so, then please help in one of the ways mentioned. If there are any questions regarding this, then please contact Fred McConnell on 07901 964 100 or fredmcconnell@btinternet.com. Fred will provide any help or additional information required.

Our parishes work together as a Cluster so we are also keen to find ways in which the whole Cluster can work towards solving these difficulties together. I would ask that you also reflect on the additional difficulties faced by St John Vianney’s due to the remedial works and if you can offer any ideas or practical help then please get in touch.

I would welcome any general thoughts or ideas around any of the matters outlined above so that our parishes remain strong and we continue to function well as a Cluster. Please email southedclust@btinternet.com with your thoughts and ideas.

With prayers and best wishes.

Fr Alex