Planned Giving Appeal - Feedback from the Parish Treasurer

This week, our Parish Treasurer, Jim Crisp, provided a feedback update on the Planned Giving Appeal, if you would like to find out more information, please click here.

You will remember we introduced our Planned Giving Appeal just after the Christmas/ New Year period. Well, that Appeal continues, but we owe you an update and feedback on what’s happened since then.

You will remember the problems we face. Inflation has reduced the buying power of Offertories and Donations by about 30% and that has effectively reduced our total parish income. And there is also a concern about how parishes must depend more and more upon the laity, if they are to survive. Many parishes no longer have their own Parish Priest and at St Joseph’s we may lose worthwhile activities, because we cannot find anyone to take them on.

So, what has been the response to that Appeal? Let me start with the financial side of things. Essentially, we asked those who could, to consider giving a little more - and I am happy to report that many have done exactly that.

We already had about eighty regular givers each with a standing order and, in most cases, a Gift Aid arrangement. Of that group, nearly fifty percent havealready increased their offerings - by amounts ranging from 10%, right up to doubling their donations. Several others have signed up to join the group, either with their own regular standing order or by donating a generous one-off amount– and for all of this, we are very grateful.

Of course, I am hoping that others might still be considering their options, and will also respond in a similar manner.

Now the Appeal also asked for your time and talents and, here, the response has been more disappointing. As I have said before, we already have a good many actively volunteering and many have replied to the Appeal to confirm their willingness to remain active.

But perhaps others have struggled to understand exactly what is being asked of them. Maybe the Appeal was too vague. No one wants to volunteer for something about which they know nothing.

So today, I want to be far more precise and to tell you about some of the activities, where we would welcome more help.

At the 6pm Vigil Mass, we need more welcomers and more altar servers. Also Thomas – who holds the collection bag at the end of the Mass, would welcome others to help him.

For the 9am Sunday Mass, we also need altar servers – young or older, male or female. If you are willing, we’ll provide basic training. If you served as a child, please consider returning to the altar to support Father Michael. And after Mass, we need others willing to help with refreshments. Currently, we have about a dozen involved, but more would be wonderful.

Our needs for the 11am Sunday Mass include – most importantly, more musicians, especially singers. Those who attend this Mass, will know what a wonderful celebration it can be when our choirs are in full voice - but more regular singers are needed, especially male voices. Please think about this and speak with Sister Anne Marie, if you would like to be part of a beautiful ministry.

More generally, I would also appeal to any tradespeople or those with professional skills. We have an ongoing need for builders, plumbers, electricians – and certified people like gas safety or electrical engineers. If you are a professional and would like to help, please make yourself known. Of course, we will pay for your services, when and where necessary.

Outreach is an important but under-developed part of our parish ministry. Growing our footprint in the neighbourhood, making our presence known, and we hope to start a regular walk-in Coffee morning one day a week, IF we can build a team of four or more to put the kettle on etc.

Father Michael has also suggested a Breakfast Club to welcome youngsters on their way to school – or indeed, an after-school club, if that is the more popular. Both of course, depend upon adult volunteers.

Finally, I must return to the subject of money and especially to Gift Aid – you will have heard this before, but it merits repeating.

Whenever possible, please gift aid whatever you donate. The rules are simple – to be eligible, you need to be paying enough tax in a financial year to coverwhatever you give to the parish. Ideally, you just need to set up a standing order and to sign one simple form – and, of course, I have some with me today. We can then make a claim on your behalf, but you remain in control. You can increase or decrease your offering at any time.

The DONA machine in the narthex also allows you to Gift Aid. If you’re unsure how it works, there are people who will help.

Now of course, we are always grateful for your very generous support, butfinally, I want to say something about two sources of income for which we cannot claim gift aid - the collection plate, which is passed around during the Mass or as you leave. And direct bank transfers made without completing a gift aid form for me.

If you are a taxpayer, please think about these other ways to make your donation, so that the parish doesn’t miss out on a full gift aid rebate.

Thank you for listening. Thank you for your support - financially or by volunteering your time and talents - both are highly valued.

Thanks again – and please search me out, if you have a question or need a gift aid form.