Church of St. Fr ancis Xavier Annual Report 2014
THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE CHURCH OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER
The Church of St. Francis Xavier, a Roman Catholic parish in the Jesuit tradition, strives to be a prophetic, welcoming community, and an inclusive witness to the presence of Christ Jesus in our midst. Mindful of our utter reliance on God, and need for God’s grace, we rejoice together in our celebration of the sacraments and proclamation of the Gospel. As a people of hope, we commit ourselves through prayerful and creative discernment to respond to God in our time by: Being a respectful community Where seekers and their questions are welcomed, Where injustice is challenged, Where the poor, the alienated and the marginalized find a home, And where people are refreshed, reconciled and renewed. Adopted by the Community at Prayer Rededication Weekend June 19 - 20, 2010
The Church of St. Fr ancis Xavier
November 1, 2014 (All Saints Day) Dear Friends in Christ, Last year at this time, I was four months into my new role as pastor and thanking my predecessors and so many others among you for paving the way for this transition. Only a year has passed now but it feels like I’ve been here forever (in the very best sense of the word!). Thank you for being such an integral part of my life and vocation! Much has happened since the publication of the 2013 annual report and almost all of it is good. We came together again and again to celebrate the Eucharist, to strengthen the bonds of our community, and to receive the grace from God we need to keep moving as prophetic witnesses of Jesus Christ within our city and our world. We engaged the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan (Making All Things New) and, in so doing, forged new ties with our sister parishes in lower Manhattan. The Family Faith program, RCIA, and various parish ministries continued to grow larger and stronger. Baptisms, weddings, and new registrations are all up significantly. And we continued to support the Xavier Mission in strategic ways to increase the corporal works of mercy and advance sytsemic change. Of the many sacred and powerful events that defined our life as a parish last year, none stands out for me more than the farewell tribute we paid to our beloved friend and former pastor Fr. Ned Coughlin, SJ. The Mass of the Resurrection that we celebrated in June was attended by a large crosscut of our church and society: parishioners, friends, parish staff, guests of the Mission, brother Jesuits, representatives of the city government, and so many others. I will never forget that day and I know many of you won’t either. We have a new advocate in heaven now and I encourage you to pray through Ned’s intercession and in communion with all of the saints we said goodbye to this year. As for the year ahead, only the Holy Spirit knows what lies in store for us. But one thing is certain: We are the Church of St. Francis Xavier! And, true to our identity, we will meet the future with trust and gratitude as we continue to cooperate with God’s dreams and follow in the footsteps of Christ, spreading the good news of God’s love, welcoming all those who cross our threshold, and going out into the world as beacons of hope and sources of grace. Thank you for the countless prayers you have offered and acts of kindness you have shown to each other and the wider church. Onward and upward SFX—much good work and many blessings are still ahead! Your servant,
Rev. Joseph G. Marina, SJ Pastor
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR IN REVIEW PARISHIONERS 3,715 registered parishioners 1,217 in attendance at our annual October 2014 weekend census 1,214 households receive envelopes 95 donate through envelopes 241 contribute through Faith Direct
BAPTISMS 131 infants were welcomed into our faith community in 2013-2014
FAMILY FAITH 82 students (ranging from pre-K through 12th grade) from 56 families were enrolled in religious education.
RCIA 20 members, 8 baptized, 6 received into the church, 6 confirmation of adults baptized as Roman Catholics.
MARRIAGES 40 couples chose Xavier as the community within which to be married.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Pledged: $3,036,362.20 Received: $2,865,755.24
CARDINAL’S APPEAL Goal: $82,000.00 Donated: $53,967.02
PASTORIAL COUNCIL Patricia Dahl (Co-Chair)
Bob Lepisko
Peter Ranello (Co-Chair)
Adel O’Regan
Jacqueline Perez (Vice-Chair)
David Pais
Jim Fox
John Schmitt
Phil Guitierrez
Anne Sheridan
A LETTER FROM THE FINANCE COUNCIL We are pleased to present this Annual Report to you for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2014 (FY 2014). It represents our commitment to fiscal transparency and responsible stewardship of the resources provided so graciously by you, our brothers and sisters in Christ. First, we want to thank all of you who have given so much of your time, talent, and treasure to support our parish throughout the year. The Statement of Support (p. 4) summarizes the major sources of revenues and expenditures for the last two years and our budget for this year. We have included pie charts showing the sources of cash received and disbursed for FY 2014. The operation of Xavier Mission, Inc. is not included since it is now a separate 501(c)3 Not-for-Profit Corporation. The good news is that we finished the year with a surplus of $76,639 that, primarily, is the result of a generous $160,500 bequest as well as increased Sunday, Christmas, and Easter collections. Without this bequest, however, the parish would have operated at an $86,000 loss. This year we expect to operate at a deficit of $111,075. Consequently, if we are to continue as a vibrant and active parish, we must become self-reliant. Hoping for bequests and relying on supplemental income from our 17th St. rental property cannot sustain us in the long run. The parish leadership, recognizing the need for an increased emphasis on stewardship, recently commissioned a needs assessment and a five year stewardship plan. Part of that plan includes an effort to heighten awareness of the parish’s financial needs and obligations and encourage increased giving to help reduce the size of our forecasted operating deficits in the years ahead. We are projecting operating deficits totaling $612,000 over the next 6 years until our restoration loan is paid off. Additionally, once we tap existing cash reserves to pay down these deficits, our reserves will fall below the level we have set aside to fund unexpected building repairs and other emergencies. In light of the above, we ask that you prayerfully consider increasing your donations, especially your weekly offering. Our goal is to raise the Sunday collection by 25% over last year. Such an increase will allow us to eliminate this year’s projected deficit! We recognize that some of you may not be able to increase your giving or to that level, but perhaps there are others who are doing better and can contribute more. In December 2014, we will close our Capital Campaign that has helped to fund the interior restoration of our beloved spiritual home. To date we have collected $3.0 million exceeding our goal of $2.5 million. Thank you to those who participated in our campaign. Your generosity has revitalized our magnificent worship space so that generations of parishioners can enjoy its beauty. We acknowledge the trust placed in us by the pastor and the parish and commit ourselves to remaining true to that trust and to always maintain credibility with the parish, the wider Church, and society. We thank you once again for your past support, including our capital campaign, and for the sacrifices you continue to make on behalf of our wonderful parish in these difficult economic times. The Parish Finance Council James B. Martinez, Jr., CPA Chair, Parish Trustee
Emil Rufolo, CPA Xavier Parish Accountant
Elisa Balestra
Nicolas Ng
Joseph Bell, Esq.
Timothy O’Connor, Esq.
Joseph Donovan, AIA
Michael Shanabrook, Esq.
PARISH STATEMENT OF SUPPORT YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31ST SUPPORT
BUDGET 2014/15
ACTUAL 2013/14
ACTUAL 2012/13
$775,705 $122,700 $898,405
$732,697 $134,419 $867,116
$680,471 $102,673 $783,144
$43,000
$233,462
$112,140
Investment Income 17th Street Rental Income Other Incomea
$1,500 $776,715 $176,725
$5,216 $757,770 $143,150
($1,507) $739,289 $122,756
TOTAL SUPPORT
$1,896,345
$2,006,716
$1,755,822
BUDGET 2014/15
ACTUAL 2013/14
ACTUAL 2012/13
TOTAL EXPENSES
$451,851 $123,695 $99,960 $73,840 $51,500 $149,692 $96,569 $93,083 $20,500 $556,320 $146,410 $144,000 $2,007,420
$471,878 $129,814 $99,144 $48,482 $48,949 $134,763 $49,686 $82,433 $31,484 $556,320 $133,124 $144,000 $1,930,007
$441,722 $123,366 $98,071 $40,159 $43,970 $140,510 $122,950 $78,879 $58,586 $562,660 $125,297 $0 $1,836,171
Net Support Over (Under) Expenses
($111,075)
$76,639
($80,350)
Regular Collections Holiday Collections
TOTAL COLLECTIONS Donations and Bequests
EXPENSES Salary & Benefitsb Administrative Support Insurance Repairs and Maintenance Utilities Music Ministry Stewardship and Development Program Religious Education Other Programs Restoration Loanc Archdiocesan Assessment Archdiocesan School Assessment
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. a Includes income from votive shrines & candles, weddings, baptisms, funerals, and religious education. b Includes religious and lay administrative salary and benefits not included in Music, Stewardship, and Religious Education lines. c Parish closed on a 15 year $6M loan for restoration on 9/30/09 with annual payments of $581,682 starting on 11/01/09. Parish refinanced the loan with annual payments of $556,320 starting on 10/1/12.
Additional Notes: 1. Support does not include restoration contributions of $150,287 and $673,459 in 13/14 and 12/13 respectively. 2. Rental income from the 17th St. school property is primarily dedicated for loan payments on the $6M Restoration Loan. 3. Support does not include insurance reimbursements of $14,431 received in 12/13. 4. Expenses do not include church restoration expenditures of $16,468 and $36,655 in 13/14 and 12/13 respectively. 5. As of August 31, 2014, the parish had cash balances and investments as follows: Cash and Money Market Funds $1,203,224
6. As of August 31, 2014, the parish had a $ 125,619 receiviable due from Xavier Mission. 7. As of August 31, 2014, the parish had the following obligations: Restoration Loan $3,183,171 Remaining Restoration Expenditures $71,000 Archdiocese Invoice & Collections $68,585 Vendors and Service Providers $22,160 Parish Organizations $10,381 8. As of September 16, 2014 the parish has collected $2,865,755 out of the $3,036,362 pledged in the Capital Campaign.
SUPPORT = $2,006,716 Investment Income 0%
Other Income 7%
Holiday Collections 7%
Donations and Bequests
12%
17th Street Rental Income 38%
Regular Collections 36%
EXPENSES = $1,930,077 Utilities
Other Programs 2%
Repairs and Maintenance Stewardship and Development Program
3%
3%
3%
Religious Education 4% Insurance
5% Restoration Loan 29%
Administrative Support
Music Ministry
7%
7%
Archdiocesan School Assessment
Salary & Benefits 24%
7% 7%
Archdiocesan Assessment
FAMILY FAITH Catechesis is a process and a journey of deepening the knowledge and experience of faith that develops from a fundamental commitment to Jesus Christ, whom we recognize as the revelation of God and the unifying center of our lives. Thus, there are catechetical processes for childhood, adolescents, youth and adults. The Church of St. Francis Xavier is privileged to have a religious education program that includes all these catechetical processes. The Xavier religious education program is called Family Faith because parents of students enrolled in the program take part in discussion sessions with guest speakers on theological, spiritual, sacramental, liturgical, parenting and interfaith topics, among others. These sessions strengthen the religious life of the parents, making them even better models and teachers of the faith for their children, a unique mission which religious educators and catechists can support but never replace. The Family Faith program focuses on four core areas in the life of the Church: teaching, liturgy, community, and community services. Teaching in this program is provided by parishioners (catechists) who feel God’s call to share their faith and are qualified to teach or assist. The program welcomes students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade who need preparation to receive a sacrament. There are also sessions for adolescents and post-adolescents who have already received the sacraments of initiation and are seeking ongoing spiritual formation to deepen their faith as young adults in the community. Members of the Family Faith program are active participants in the Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass, as hospitality ministers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, Mass coordinators and altar servers. On the first Sunday of every month, the children are invited to come forward for an interactive homily with the presider, and the Family Faith choir is a major component of the music ministry. This intergenerational choir, led by Dugan McGinley, also sings at special services such as First Communion, Confirmation, the Family Christmas Eve Mass, and Lessons and Carols. On other Sundays, after the opening prayer, the children are called forward by the presider to be blessed by the community and taken by liturgical catechists to another room in the church for a more ageappropriate Liturgy of the Word. Community service is an essential part of our program. Our students not only learn about the corporal works of mercy, but practice them inside and outside the walls of this faith community. For example, nine confirmation candidates raised $8,500 last year, in only 15 days, for a water purification
system that will provide clean water for 1,000 people for the next 10 years in Siem Reap, Cambodia. “The whole project captured our hearts,” said Paul Kelly (confirmation catechist), who noted that the service project taught the children about their important role in the Church and in the world. “When the kids saw the response, they saw that they were part of a community that could make a difference,” he said. In a previous year, seven confirmation candidates decided to sponsor the education of seven children in India, children with a sincere desire to learn but whose families couldn’t afford to send them to school. Our students raised $2,810, which was then delivered by the Xavier India Group directly to two schools in India to cover tuition, books, uniforms, transportation, test fees and private tutoring for all seven children for more than three years. By educating even one child in a family, we not only impact that child’s life but generate a positive dynamic that can have an effect on a family for generations to come. The Family Faith program is a group of people growing together, teaching and helping each other. Everyone involved in the program enters a process of conversion. Our catechist Jeff Essmann explains his own experience in his article, Stumbling Onward (America Magazine; Sept.1-8, 2014). Here is an excerpt from that piece: I stumbled into catechesis. Last summer I was looking for a way to become more involved at my church when I noticed on the parish website a call for catechists for the upcoming year. So I shot an email to the director of religious education telling her that I had taught young children, had done confirmation preparation with teenagers and was looking to get more involved— what did she think? She wrote back within minutes saying yes, I should definitely do this, and attached a list of available positions. It hardly felt like a stumble at all. Yet right after I hit “send” on the email message agreeing to be the catechist for the third-grade students that fall, my heart started pounding. At the time, I wasn’t quite sure why. I told myself I was just excited. But there was a deeper tug to the excitement, and on some level, I think I knew that my life was about to change. Children live by a simple code: Things should be fun. And if something is fun, it should be repeated and, if possible, be even more fun the next time. They love Aesop’s fables. I used them to introduce a unit on parables and they were a big hit, so now we start each class with a couple of them. This is where third graders are terrific. They love it that the fables are animal stories, but they also love the moral discussion afterwards, which I’ve come to call “Baptizing Aesop,” since more often than not the kids totally Christianize the moral. (“The donkey should have forgiven the rooster.”) I have come to believe that it is the graced immediacy of children that made Jesus say they were close to the Kingdom of God, and spending an hour a week so close to the Kingdom has changed my own sense of time as well. I have a past with this faith community, and I very much have a present, but now I even have a future. Part of me, I hope, will live on in this parish, in these children, in their faith; part of me—the best part—I hope will live on in the church. In the meantime I shall stumble onward, because the good thing about stumbling is that sometimes you stumble right into the arms of God.” Please keep our parish’s Family Faith Program in your prayers and do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. As this wonderful program continues to grow, it will help our beloved parish advance its noble mission, striving to be a “prophetic, welcoming community, and an inclusive witness of Christ Jesus in our midst.” Yours faithfully,
Luz Marina Diaz, PhD Director of Religious Education
While still very much a part of our parish community, the Xavier Mission has formally become its own organization and, as such, will issue a separate annual report. Please stay tuned to the Mission’s website for more information about some of our achievements from the past year: — Island Cruise Dinner Dance, our first successful fundraiser! — Xavier Mission’s First Annual Report — Fresh Food Project — Welcoming new staff members —And more!
WWW.XAVIERMISSION.ORG
WAYS TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE PARISH There are many ways to support the dynamic ministries of the Church of St. Francis Xavier. Each method of giving ensures the future of our parish and may provide you with tax benefits. The information below will help you decide how best to support the parish.
REGISTER You’re already a member, you just need to register! If you haven’t already registered, you may do so on-line www.sfxavier.org or by picking up a registration form at the 15th Street reception desk.
FAITH DIRECT Go Green and support the parish on-line, even while you are away on business or pleasure. Visit our website, www.sfxavier.org and click on the FAITH DIRECT icon or go directly to www.faithdirect.net and enter parish code: NY406. You can decide upon your weekly offering, special collections, flower offering, one-time gifts, etc. The automatic payments will be taken monthly from your choice of credit card or checking. Plus you have on-line access to donor statements for tax purposes.
SECURITIES By giving appreciated securities that you have owned for more than a year, your charitable deduction is the fair market value of the securities. Such gifts provide income tax savings and eliminate the capital gains tax liability.
GIFTS BY WILL The parish can be remembered in your Will. Suggested wording for such bequests is: I give the sum of $_________ (or _____% of my estate) to the Church of St. Francis Xavier, 55 West 15th Street in New York City, for its general purposes (or for something more specific of your choosing). Call the parish office for further information and the necessary Federal ID.
GIFTS OF RETIREMENT PLANS Consider naming the Church of St. Francis Xavier, 55 West 15th Street New York, NY 10011 as a beneficiary or contingent beneficiary in your retirement plan, IRA or 401(k). It’s easy, requires no attorneys or fee, and is tax advantageous. Call the parish office for further information and the necessary Federal ID.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Though our extensive renovation and restoration of the church’s interior is complete, contributions or pledges are still being accepted to this monumental project. All gifts will help to pay down the loan. Simply go to www.sfxavier. org and click on the Restoration Fund icon.
ENVELOPE SYSTEM Donors who itemize their tax returns receive an income tax charitable deduction. If you make your donation by check, please make the check payable to the Church of St. Francis Xavier.
TIME & TALENT All of our ministries, services and Xavier Mission programs are primarily staffed by parishioners, so we encourage your participation. If you would like to offer your time and talent to Xavier Mission, please contact Cassandra Agredo, Director, Outreach Mission at 212-627-2100 x 208 or
[email protected]; for any of the many ministries in the parish contact the parish office at 212-627-2100.
