FINANCIAL STATEMENT AT ST MARY’S - LAETARE SUNDAY 2025

On Laetare Sunday 2025  Fr Tim addressed parishioners with an appeal about parish finances. You may be aware that we can offer various methods of donating, including a contactless machine at the back of church. However, if you need any further information about making a one-off donation or increasing your monthly donations, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the parish office.

If you missed the appeal, please watch the clip below

 The text of the appeal is below

FINANCIAL STATEMENT AT ST MARY’S

LAETARE SUNDAY 2025

In over thirteen years as parish priest of St Mary’s and Bishop Eton, I hope you will agree that I have never nagged the parishioners of either parish about money, but have remained grateful for the way you continue to support the ongoing needs of the parishes as well as generously supporting so many other charities, including our Redemptorist mission in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, on the quiet, I have sometimes observed that the reserves in the bank at St Mary’s meant that you could buy and sell Bishop Eton. Accordingly, never before have I felt the need to address any financial concerns here at St Mary’s, but as we enter another financial year, I feel duty bound to share with you the concerns of our Fabric and Finance team who have drawn my attention to the fact that our bank balance has shrunk rather dramatically over the past couple of years and is now about half of what it had been, namely something well above £400,000. You will be aware that we have had some extraordinarily large expenses in recent years – to mention just a few: the boilers in the presbytery, the damage to the ceiling of the sanctuary and the accessible ramp to the side entrance (legally complying with current health and safety requirements). It may be helpful to mention that when the urgent need to replace the boilers in the house arose, we co-operated with the Archdiocese in having a survey of all the heating requirements at St Mary’s, including the church and the parish centre, with particular attention to the eco-friendlier options. Had we pursued the renewal of all our heating requirements, we would not only have wiped out our reserves but gone into serious debt. You may also know that every five years the diocese does a survey to identify and prioritise the work that needs to be undertaken and we still have further major expenses in the offing, not least the church windows.

Although I sense a gradual growth in numbers, it is clear that, in common with parishes across the country, in the wake of the pandemic the number of parishioners regularly attending Mass has substantially declined, but we remain a vibrant parish with a great deal going on. From my first day I was committed to ensuring that both parishes are professionally administered, and we are about to appoint someone to be responsible for the maintenance of our properties here, thereby relieving the considerable strain on the team in the office. Even, without the extraordinary items which will claim our attention in the coming years, it seems clear that we are not going to be able to break even, unless we seek additional funding.

We are not alarmed and will look for ways of gently encouraging those who come to our church only for special occasions to contribute to our costs if they feel able, but also consider it is important to draw your attention and ask you to consider whether you may be able to increase your regular contributions. I am aware that many people may be struggling with the on-going cost of living crisis and therefore, do not wish anyone to feel pressurised. At the same time, as we begin another financial year, many of you may feel able to increase your contributions now that you are aware of the new pressures we are experiencing.

Finally, may I point out that, in view of my earlier comment, the situation at Bishop Eton has changed because of a wholly unexpected but very substantial legacy left to the parish. I mention this because a legacy may be something which some of you would be willing to consider in your wills or even a more substantial donation at this time.

Thank you for bearing with me today and a very happy Mothering Sunday to one and all.