St. Francis de Sales Parish welcomes you with great joy into our house of prayer to celebrate the gift of life and the special faith we share!
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NEW WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE – EFFECTIVE JULY 7, 2024:
SATURDAY: 4 pm @ ST. ANTHONY
SUNDAY: 8 am @ ST. ANN
SUNDAY: 10 am @ ST. ANN
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From our Pastor:
Due to the generosity of last year’s Annual Fund for the upgrades and repairs to both St. Anthony’s and St. Ann’s Churches, we will not be commencing on an Annual Fund for this year. Our Knights of Columbus Parish Investment portfolio has been doing quite well, and any shortfalls from our weekly collections can be met with the dividends and capital gains that our investments have provided. Inflation, rising food costs, insurance costs, etc. have hit our parishioner base households unmercifully, and I’m sure you all have more crucial needs for the hard earned monies that you have. I wish you all well in making ends meet in these exceedingly trying economic times.
Our Annual Fund last year amassed approximately $68,000. The funds met many of our shortfall expenditures such as:
- Stained glass repair at St. Anthony’s $9,970
- New air conditioner split system at St. Anthony’s $24,718
- Roof repairs at St. Ann’s $20,653
- Lighting repairs and upgrades at St. Anthony $1,891
- Lighting repairs and upgrades at St. Ann $4,093
- Landscaping upgrades at both churches $4,510
- Shortfall of new FOB systems for parish properties above the $123,300 State of Connecticut AOHCT grant- $9,000.
Those cost components add up to $74,835. This year we have spent considerable funds on step re-construction at St. Anthony’s, near future step repairs at St. Ann’s and the Parish Center, various ongoing repairs at all parish properties, electrical redistribution for segregating outdoor parking lot lighting from St. Ann’s Rectory to the church, etc. etc. Again, these costs will be addressed from the dividends and capital gains from our investment portfolio.
In a few weeks, as our accountants complete the June 2023 –June 2024 annual fiscal year financial proforma, we will provide the numbers to our parishioner base. Again, a fiscal sound financial picture of the parish is in evidence here. We are indeed blessed to be doing this well in this compromised economic environment.
Regarding the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, we can really use a little help from the 73.79% of our parishioner base that have not given anything to date. The 26.21% of our parishioner base that has given to date the $54,777.75 has helped us greatly to near our parish goals. Any amount from the rest of you would sincerely be appreciated. No amount is too small. I’d like to get our percentage of those who gave increased, so please provide your name with your contribution so it can be added to the headcount. 64.4% of our parish goal has been amassed, and we really should strive to get it to at least the 75% mark. Again, there is no parish Annual Fund this year so please contribute to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal as best as you can. And remember that some of the proceeds go to our parish choice charities of Agape House, Franciscan Life Center, Bristol Adult Resources, St. Elizabeth House, and our own Mother Teresa Food Pantry. These entities are most appreciative of our parish’s generosity via the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. Donations can be made on line, via envelopes at the church entrances, or by dropping by the parish office.
Thank you!
Fr. Philip Schulze,
Pastor
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OPEN MIC JAMBOREE!!
Country, Folk & Oldies!!, 6:00 to 9:00 pm
St. Ann Church Hall, 215 West Street
Donation: $5 (Musicians: Free Admission)
Come on down, sing along with the music and get ready to have fun. All proceeds benefit St. Francis de Sales Parish.
Upcoming dates
**Friday, October 18, 2024**
**November 15, 2024**, **December 20, 2024
For more info call Rachel (860) 584-8268 or Ky Ouellett (860) 989-7876
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Join us for Bingo @ St. Francis de Sales Parish!
Every Thursday – St. Ann Church Hall, 215 West Street
Doors open @ 5 pm. Early Bird – 6:45 pm
Great Fun – Great Prizes!
**Volunteers are needed to work at Bingo! No experience necessary! Join our fun group of volunteers!**
**Call the Parish Center for more info (860) 582-8169**
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2020 Financial Report – St. Francis de Sales
https://appeal.archdioceseofhartford.org/donations/
*The Parish Office is open for normal business hours.*
Monday through Friday: 8 am to 3:30 pm
