The generous support of Catholics allowed us to achieve revenue stability despite an uncertain economy
Dear Friends in Christ,
I am pleased to present to you the annual financial report for the archdiocese that covers the most recent fiscal year which ended June 30. Your generosity constantly inspires me in all I do as your spiritual leader.
I am grateful to all archdiocesan Catholics for their continuing and generous support to their parishes and schools in 2011, which allowed our total revenue for the past fiscal year to match revenue for the previous year despite the persistent economic malaise and uncertainty. This revenue stability was achieved even with a small decrease in the assessments that our parishes provide for the operating costs associated with my responsibilities, and in total gifts for our annual Catholic Services Appeal. The slight decrease in gifts to our Appeal reflects an acceleration of the solicitation phase last year as compared with previous years.
Expenses in total were consistent with those of the previous fiscal year, even with some significant variations, such as a $600,000 reduction of Cathedral debt, $300,000 for payment of expenses to send a contingent of teens to Madrid to participate in World Youth Day, and $450,000 in combined expenses for website development and network systems that will help us communicate far more effectively with all of the many publics within the archdiocese.
Encouragingly, our multi-year focus on parish accounts is reflected in part in that our general and administrative costs decreased by $2.7 million from the prior fiscal year. Yet, this report represents much more than numbers and graphics. It highlights many examples of faith-filled good works taking place in the many projects and programs of compassion and charity that we, the Body of Christ, do in this archdiocese.
The priests and religious who attend to your spiritual needs, our Catholic school teachers, administrators and DREs, the Catholic Charities employees who selflessly give their time to help the needy, those dedicated volunteers supporting marriage, family, youth and life, and our Catholic hospital, retirement and nursing facility caregivers all join together to carry out the Lord’s work and minister to very real and varied needs of this archdiocese.
I also want to recognize the work of the Archdiocesan Finance Council and Investment Committees; these two groups of very dedicated lay men and women continued to provide exemplary and valuable oversight in respectively managing the archdiocese’s budget and portfolio of investments above and beyond expectations.
When teamwork like this happens, God’s promises can be realized through our financial and prayerful support for so many of his sons and daughters. I will do all I can to ensure that this continues each day in parishes, schools and other Catholic institutions across the 12 counties of the archdiocese.
This grace-filled work is what we are called to do each day as Catholics, and you have always responded so willingly to that calling. I promise to continue to do my part as a faithful steward of your generous support.
Cordially yours in Christ,
The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt
Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis
