Two things I wanted to mention in my letter this week:
 
First, many people have asked what my being appointed Administrator of St. John Neumann Parish in Powhatan means.  I am not “taking over” the parish there.  This decision came from the College of Consultors (a group of advisors consulted when there is no current bishop).  It is simply a precautionary action as Fr. Lewis (who has known me from my first years in Appalachia) and the parish work through some difficulties—basically meant to provide a sense of continuity.  He remains Pastor, and the people there will notice little to no immediate change.  Please pray for Fr. Lewis and the people of the Powhatan parish.
 
Second, as we continue to prayerfully consider our stewardship of treasure, I wanted you to have some financial information.  We publish financial information regularly, but I wanted you to see the two graphs, so you might have a greater appreciation of what we look at in making decisions about allocation of the funds you so generously provide.
 
The first graph shows how many identifiable contributors have been giving over the last three years (check, envelope, or electronic).  You can see that the number has dropped from year to year.  The second graph shows how we spend the monies operationally.  Not included here are the mortgages, the Haiti and Appalachia Funds, or the building expenses.  Those are covered from other sources, such as sponsorship, rummage and bake sales, and Living our Mission receipts.  Please do not ever hesitate to ask for information.  Our finances are completely transparent and reviewed monthly by our Finance and Parish Councils.