Dear Friends of St. Jane Frances and OLC,
This weekend, we celebrate the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our Gospel is the parable of the tenants, who are entrusted to care for and tend to the vineyard of the landowner (Mt 21:33-43). When it is time to receive the produce, the landowner sends his servants to obtain this produce, but they beat them or kill them or stone them. He sends more, and they do the same. Finally, he sends his son, thinking they will respect him, but they kill his son as well. These images from the parable reference how the prophets of the Lord were treated here on earth and, ultimately, how the Son of God will be treated as well. Jesus is rejected by his own people, but by his passion, death, and resurrection, He becomes for us the cornerstone of the Church – the people of God.
As Archbishop Lori announced on September 29th, the Archdiocese of Baltimore has filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in response to a new law in Maryland that retroactively and permanently removes the time limits on filing lawsuits tied to historic cases of abuse. Chapter 11 will allow the parishes, schools, and charitable entities in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to remain in operation while at the same time enabling victim survivors to receive rightful compensation for their abuse. What does this mean for our parish? While it is the Archdiocese that has filed for reorganization, and not our parish, the new law enables lawsuits to be filed not only against the Archdiocese but against the parish as well. As a result, the final plan of reorganization is meant to support the Church’s moral responsibility to care for those who were so gravely harmed. As the Archdiocese enters Chapter 11, which is expected to last 2 to 3 years, the good work of our parish continues.
In this weekend’s bulletin, you will find our annual financial report, which presents to you our parish’s financial results for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2023 and the budget for the current fiscal year that began on July 1, 2023. There is also a brief write-up of our results for your information. As always, I am very grateful for your continued financial support. Please be aware that as far as I have been told, the money you place in the collection basket or give to the parish online will continue to be used solely to fund the day to day operations of the parish. Any restricted gifts you give to the parish, such as for capital projects (ex, St. Jane School Roof Replacement) will be used only for these projects. Our parish needs your continued financial support. I thank you for your patience as we journey through these uncharted waters together.
Please continue to pray for the victim-survivors who have experienced and endured the scourge of abuse by members of the clergy and church, that God may bring healing and comfort to victims and survivors and their families.
Thank you for keeping our Pastorate in your daily prayers!
God Bless,
Father Steve
