Dear Parishioners of St Brieux;
It goes without saying that 2020 was a very different year than usual. When the lockdown started in March 2020, the finance committee was concerned about the financial health of the parish.
Without church services would the donations continue or decrease, would they still consider giving even. How would the parish continue paying its expenses in the coming months?
We were soon to find out, many parishioners mailed their support until services resumed in June. Others switched from a Sunday basket to Automatic debit or through etransfer.
Father George, Francine Allen and Eleanor Gallays (Sanderson), voluntarily agreed to forgo salaries. This even though there were still many duties to perform. They all deserve our thanks for their generous and gracious work.
In addition, the month of December saw a large amount of donations including many from outside the parish area. Either former parishioners or families thereof. Without this final surge in support, we would have experienced a large deficit as we were experiencing a $3000 shortfall already by the month of October.
As we close the books on 2020, we are showing a surplus of over $10,000 which includes both the church and cemetery accounts.
We have also surpassed the Annual Bishop Appeal for 2020. Our goal as set by the diocese was $11,000 and we are currently slightly over $13,000. A very worthy achievement which helps the diocese in all the different ministries.
The parish would also wish to give recognition and thanks to Francine and Rob Allen and Darlyn and Dan Hunt for their work in sanitizing the church after all the Masses.
We wish to thank Val and Karen for their work in keeping our meeting rooms and church in a clean and tidy fashion. The church sidewalks are cleaned in the winter and grass around the church and cemetery are cut by Renante and Rollin. Our thanks for your work in keeping both the inside and outside of the church in a state of beautiful appearance.
In closing to all our parishioners and supporters for their prayers, time and financial help a very heartfelt thank you.
May we soon meet and worship together!
A fellow parishioner
André Assié
Finance Committee