Fellow Franciscans,

Each of us have many roles that we are expected to fulfill: parent, child, sibling, employee, employer, parishioner. You get the idea. Today I am appealing to you in my role as Stewardship Chair. On August 15th the Finance Committee will meet to analyze how our finances look for 2019 and to begin the planning for the 2020 budget. As of June 30, 2019 we are $8,382.90 short on pledges received, but have received regular contributions and plate offerings totaling $5,033.03 which puts us about where we budgeted for the end of June. If you are behind on your pledge, please try to catch up before Aug 15, if at all possible, so the Finance Committee will have accurate figures to consider. I remind you that we are not only the hands and feet of Christ, but also the purse for his ministry. While on this earth, Jesus relied on the gratitude and generosity of his immediate followers to sustain his ministry. Luke 8:1-3 tells us, "Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for him out of their resources.” Following the Way of the Cross has never been easy and has always required generous pilgrims on the path to sustain momentum. Our beautiful campus is aging and will continually require additional funds to repair. Many have expressed a desire to increase both outreach and youth ministries at St. Francis. All of this comes with a price.

Please, prayerfully consider this request and give out of your abundance to help fund the ministry of the Risen Christ here at St. Francis.

Blessings.

Your brother in Christ, Jeff