7/2/2023

We have completed the last weekend of offertory collections, and we came in about $37k above budget for just the offertory collection. Congratulations on your generosity and THANK YOU for support to the parish. Last year we were about $30k below budget. Please note that this is not for the whole budget – we have not closed out the year and so do not have that information as of yet. This is just our budgeted offertory collection. Your generosity has allowed us to plan to give a 5% increase in salary to our employees beginning July 1, 2023. With inflation as it has been, this represents some sacrifices on your part, but it is the least we could do for our employees.
Fr. Karl Barmann is here and we will be integrating him into our ministry this month. He is likely to be doing marriage prep and RCIA. Many of you know him well, others may not know that he is a member of the Barmann family of this parish – Robert (Tug), Joe, and Mike are his brothers. He is also a monk of Conception Abbey. He was assistant Business Manager when I joined in 1970, and shortly thereafter he joined the Air Force where he was a chaplain for 28 years. Since retiring, he has been pastor at St. Gabriel’s parish in K.C., MO, St. Peter’s Parish in Fulton, MO, St. Peter’s Parish in Stanberry, and most recently the pastor in St. Joseph Parish in Springfield, MO. He will be our senior priest in residence, and he brings a wealth of experience to our ministry. I want us to welcome him warmly and I look forward to utilizing his pastoral skills and experience, as well as to be someone with whom I will be living in the rectory.
Fr. Karl and I will be taking vacation time during July. He is going to be gone July 6 – 10, then I will be gone July 15 – 29. We will also have Mass on Tuesday at 8 AM this week instead of a Communion service. After six years here mostly alone, it is wonderful to have Fr. Karl here to share the load.
It is a joy to be your pastor.

Father Albert, O.S.B.