2012-2013 Annual Report

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Church of Saint Clare 110 Nelson Avenue Staten Island, NY 10308

(718) 984-7873 www.stclaresi.com

I t has been nearly eight months since Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergolio was elected pope and took the name Francis. Both in word and

deed it is increasingly obvious that Pope Francis is challenging the univer-sal Church to be a welcoming, hospita-ble home so that all of us, sinful people that we are, may experience the merci-ful love of God.

Here at St. Clare’s we try our best to share the Holy Father’s vision. In this annual report you will see not only the financial state of our parish but, more importantly, the statistics outlining the sacramental and ministerial life of our parish family. In all that we do at St. Clare’s it is my sincere hope that our parish family experiences a home where we can be touched by Christ’s love.

It would be an understatement to say what a difficult year this has been for some members of our parish, along with so many others in the metropolitan area. The effects of Hurricane Sandy left severe damage in its wake but did not destroy the spirit of compassion and generosity alive in our hearts. Through the selfless efforts of the staff and volunteers at St. Clare’s we did what we could to alleviate the suffering of our friends and neighbors affected by the storm. One person put it this way, “I will nev-er forget what St. Clare’s did for me and my family in our time of need. Your caring brought me closer to God.” Another family said simply, “To all of you who have been there for us, words cannot express

how grateful we are - thank you so much for everything you have done.”

While the extraordinary events caused by Hurricane Sandy were the catalyst that stirred such a compassionate re-sponse at St. Clare’s to our neighbors’ needs, we were assisted by the gener-osity of so many benefactors and the resources provided by Cardinal Dolan through Catholic Charities. For their kindness I am most grateful.

The hospitality and compassion offered at St. Clare’s are not only demonstrated during a crisis. I believe they are part of the normal fabric of our parish life. How thankful I am for the hard work of our

dedicated staff and for the vibrant spirit of volun-teerism given by so many parishioners. Just reflect for a moment on the lives touched by the home vis-its of our parish nurse, or the person, grappling with

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From the Pastor

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2012—2013 RESERVE FUNDS REVENUE & EXPENSES

2012—2013 OPERATING REVENUE & EXPENSES

Beginning Balance (9/1/12) 1,245,762$ Contributions to Improvement Fund 40,614$ Contributions to Bicentennial Fund 8,352$ Interest Earned 46,462$

Total Additions 95,428$

New Icon in Church 4,750$ School Pointing & Related Repairs 43,308$ Student Desks & Furniture 11,726$ Rectory Renovations 36,161$ Technology Improvements 13,000$

Total Expenditures 108,945$

Ending Balance (8/31/13) 1,232,245$

Capital expenditures are usually funded from Parish Reserve Funds, but this year’s operating surplus permitted the funding of capital projects such as security camera wiring and installation, technology safeguards for school Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Program, addition-al furniture & fixtures, along with other important building repairs. Not using additional reserve funds helps build for our future!

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REVENUERegular Collections 925,108$ Christmas & Easter Collections 109,549$ Memorials, Flowers, Poor Box Offerings 49,787$ Sacramental & Worship 24,695$ Catechetical Registrations & Fees 170,624$ Pre School Tuition & Fees 436,438$ School Tuition & Fees 2,158,052$ Net Parish Fundraising Proceeds 193,963$ Ministry Program Fees and Donations 571,385$ State & Educational Reimbursement 231,827$

TOTAL INCOME 4,871,428$ EXPENSESSalaries & Benefits (3,578,564)$ Office Expenses (139,531)$ Utilities (236,020)$ Property Repairs & Maintenance (123,602)$ Property Insurance (113,735)$ Cathedraticum (91,437)$ Outreach & Support to the Community (94,689)$ Ministry Programs, Services, & Events (234,656)$ Educational Supplies & Textbooks (136,646)$

TOTAL EXPENSES (4,748,880)$

OPERATING SURPLUS 122,548$

NET OPERATING SURPLUS 9,517$

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES PAID FROM OPERATING REVENUES* (113,031)$

an emotional difficulty, helped by our parish counselor. Think too, of the per-son who success-fully landed a job because of net-working skills learned in our

Employment Support Group. How very proud all us can be of the excellent education given in our school, the seeds of Christian spirituality planted in our Early Child-hood Program, the families growing in faith because of our Religious Education Program, and young parents and their children assisted through our Family Ministry.

There are wonderful opportunities for young people through Musical Theater, Science Enrichment, Sports, Dance and Scouting. Adults, desiring to grow in the Catholic faith can avail themselves of the programs of-fered through our Adult Faith Formation Process. The poor are assisted through the yearlong services of our St. Vincent de Paul Society. The homebound are regu-larly visited by our priests and Eucharistic ministers and know that they are remembered with love by our Prayer Shawl Ministry.

The very heart of our parish life is what we do around the altar of the Lord, day in and day out. With humility we come before God to thank Him for Jesus and one another. We ask forgiveness for our sins and pray for

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Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York sent 290 Visa Debit Cards worth $500 each to St. Clare’s. These were distributed just before Christmas to parishioners and lo-cal residents who applied via our website.

The Robin Hood Foundation donated $50,000 to the St. Clare Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. This donation supplemented the St. Clare’s Cares Program. Awards, in the form of gift cards were distributed to over 75 families for food, appliances, furniture, hard-ware and tuition assistance. The average award was $1,500.

Donations of food, emergency supplies, and money poured in from around the country and even as far as Croatia. Pictured above is the Murphy Center which was converted into the St. Clare’s Hurricane Relief Distribution Center through the holiday season.

Hurricane

Sandy Fast Facts

Over 200 volunteers supported the outreach efforts. Many went through the neighborhood assessing and assisting neighbors, regardless of affiliation to St. Clare’s. Some pitched in with repairs, while many networked resources and support at the ground level.

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Over 800 requests were submitted which tracked short & long term assistance provid-ed through St. Clare’s Hurricane Relief efforts.

Donations from Parishioners & Friends 115,753$ Donation from Robin Hood Foundation 50,000$

Total Revenue 165,753$

Donation to Catholic Charities 5,465$ St. Clare's Cares Appliances 28,010$ St. Clare's Cares Food 51,700$ St. Clare's Cares Furniture 17,550$ St. Clare's Cares Hardware 740$ St. Clare's Cares Outreach 33,665$ St. Clare's Cares Tuition Assistance 27,499$ Property Repairs 1,124$

Total Expenses 165,753$

St. Clare Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund October 30, 2012—August 31, 2013

the strength that comes from the Holy Spirit to love one another. Each day with gratitude in my heart I come to God’s altar remembering you and the good things that happen at St. Clare’s.

As we look to the future, I need your help so that St. Clare’s may continue to offer you and your fam-ily the wonderful opportunities, programs and ac-tivities that bring so much life to our parish. Please reflect on your level of financial giving as a way of saying thank you to God for His gifts to you. In your reflection I would ask you to consider the following questions:

♦ How do I use my treasure?

♦ Is my offering “purposeful”?

♦ Is my offering sacrificial?

♦ Have I made a conscious decision to give?

♦ Is my offering planned?

♦ Am I following a committed course of action?

♦ How much should I offer?

♦ Is my offering proportionate?

With all my heart I thank you for your past support and for considering my present request. Together we will keep St. Clare’s healthy and vibrant.

God bless you,

Monsignor Richard J. Guastella

Pastor

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2,500 Sunday Mass—Adults Average Mass Attendance

450 Sunday Mass—Children 170 Weekday Mass

262 Baptisms—Infants

Sacramental Life

4 Baptisms—Adults

240 Confirmation—Adolescents 8 Confirmation—Adults

236 First Communion—Children 5 First Communion—Adults

35 Reconciliation—Average Weekly 236 Children’s First Penance

17 Marriage—Nuptial Mass 42 Marriage—Ceremonies

215 Funerals 12 RCIA Participants

1 Received into Full Communion

Parish Outreach

410 Sacrament of the Sick 181 Monthly Communion at Home 105 Monthly Communion in Institutions 628 St. Vincent de Paul Outreach

3,253 Parish Nurse Encounters 440 Parish Counselor Encounters

1,658 Family Ministry (Adults & Children) 231 Prayer Shawl Ministry

Student Enrollment

161 Pre School 1,106 Religious Education

619 School

Youth Activities

96 Boy/Cub Scouts 61 Dance Program

220 Girl Scouts 50 Musical Theater

350 Science Enrichment 923 Sports Participants

68 Sports Teams 149 Sports Coaches/Assistants

ANNUAL SACRAMENTAL & MINISTERIAL STATISTICAL SUMMARY