Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

The documents for civil merger of the four separate corporations have been signed and turned into the appropriate recorders in the respective counties. We have also received record of their filing from the counties. That means we are effectively one civil corporation. We are still waiting on the Secretary of State’s office to update our records in the state, and we need that certification before we can do some things like opening a new bank account. The parish staff have been hard at work in the process of closing separate parish accounts, merging accounts and vendors, and going through an audit to make sure all the information is accurate and there is no fraud or misuse of funds. This process is a lot of work and I am grateful to the personnel who have been bringing it all together.

 

One of the things to adjust as we bring the accounts together is parishioner envelopes. Because each parish corporation had their own contract with OSV (Our Sunday Visitor), each had their own envelopes and numbering system for those envelopes. We will be working on putting together a singular envelope for the parish with our new name, St. Joseph, Pillar of Families, on it. Since the separate parishes used their own numbering system for tracking donations by family/individual, we will likely have to assign new numbers to everyone in order to bring that into one new account with OSV. The goal is to have these new envelopes and new numbers out for use in January (which means they will probably be mailed out sometime in December). Keep an eye out for those changes, and be sure to contact the parish if there are any questions or if you would like to make changes. There will continue to be special envelopes for things like supporting cemeteries or a building fund. Those envelopes will include an option to check which of the specific cemetery (or building fund) you would like your donation to apply (or you can split up your donation between the options). Online giving will continue to be an option as well, but it might need a renewal or confirmation approved by you – we are still working with OSV on that.

 

Thank you to everyone who donates to support the Church and the mission of our parish here – especially through all the changes and uncertainties during this time. We strive to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to us, and be transparent on where the money goes. If you have particular questions, feel free to contact me or any of the members on our finance council.

 

Peace in Christ,

Father Timothy