2021 was another uncertain year of the pandemic. Fortunately, as conditions improved, more parishioners returned to in-person worship, educational programs and sporting events. We are blessed to report that our operating cash receipts exceeded our budget and we were able to also control costs to come in under budget, for a net positive addition to operating cash reserves of over $280,000.
The Parish Life Center Expansion was completed and officially opened July 1, 2021. During a year when there was so much volatility, the project still came in under budget. We are blessed that so many of you shared God’s blessings through your commitments to the campaign. We were able to complete construction of the building through your generous donations, some of which are still being made throughout 2022.
Operating cash receipts for the year totaled $2.55 million. We are thrilled to report that although we are not back to pre-pandemic giving, our collections are trending up compared to 2020. We are grateful for your support. We understand difficult times continue for many parishioners, so we do thank you for your generosity!
Operating cash expenditures were $2.18 million for 2021. We were able to cut back on expenditures in certain areas and came in more than $100,000 under budget mainly due to not filling an open staff position, delaying certain repairs to future years, and having lower costs related to less attendance in our educational programs.
We spent $88,608 on capital projects beyond the Parish Life Center Expansion in 2021. This was up $37,000 from 2020. Expenditures included computer and other technology purchases, a furnace/air conditioner for the church and wiring, Wi-Fi and cameras for the PLC Expansion.
Looking Ahead to 2022
For 2022, we are projecting operating cash receipts of $2.75 million, which is an increase over 2021 actual cash receipts as we anticipate more in-person worship and resumption of ministry activities. Total operating cash expenditures for 2022 are expected to be $2.62 million, up over $421,000 from 2021. Higher expenditures are partially due to the return of some activities that did not happen in 2021, higher repairs and maintenance due to the age of our original campus buildings, more outreach as our cash collections rebound, and a shortfall from the Catholic Ministries Appeal. The Campus Ministries Appeal shortfall from the 2020 campaign was $149,000 that we will pay to the Diocese in 2022.
We expect our cash reserves to decrease over $900,000 in 2022. The majority of this decrease is due to significant repairs and repaving that must be done in the parking lot. This is due in part to normal aging, but was accelerated by the heavy construction equipment that was brought in for the expansion. This work is expected to begin in the middle of May with the final phase being completed in time for vacation bible school in July. As our original campus buildings continue to age, we anticipate we will have more, sometimes large, expenditures for repairs and maintenance including additional HVAC needs and roofing in the years to come.
The Catholic Ministries Appeal (which replaced Fruitful Harvest and the Seminarian appeal) is our annual appeal to support Diocesan operations as well as important ministries and services throughout the Diocese. Collected funds are also used to recruit and educate new priests, provide supplemental insurance for retired priests, provide youth retreat opportunities to smaller parishes in the Diocese, allow ongoing education for priests, and to support campus ministries at our surrounding colleges and universities, to name a few.
UPDATE: Please remember to get your Catholic Ministries Appeal contributions in so we can support the Lafayette Diocese’s ministries and parish services.
Your support of the many programs facilitated by Holy Spirit Parish is exceptional. Through your support, our Outreach programs continue to provide hope and improve the lives of many people. We have had many people reach out for support during the pandemic and through your generosity we have been able to help many of them.
Tens of thousands are helped through our outreach initiatives providing Christmas gifts, Thanksgiving baskets, Birthright baby needs, SOUL Kitchen, canned food, clothing, furniture, school supplies, Easter baskets, RAMPs, birthday parties for children living in shelters, mission trips, and significant financial support to many agencies and churches in the surrounding area to help provide food, rent, and utility assistance.
We would also like to thank all of the volunteers who have served our parish at our liturgies over the past year. Despite many changes to their ministries due to the pandemic, our masses have continued to run smoothly, both in-person and virtually. We have been able to continue with the help of many, including our Mass Leaders, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Ushers, Art and Environment volunteers, Musicians and our Projection and Livestream team. A special thanks to those who continue to take on additional or new ministries to serve our parish during this time.
Our other Ministries
Our parish community includes over 2,300 families. Throughout the pandemic, we have maintained many of our ministries either in-person or virtually. We have conducted our religious education programs in person and virtually. We have continued our Stephen Ministry, Christ Renews His Parish Retreats, GriefShare, Book Studies, Bible Studies, Shawl Ministry, RCIA, Baptismal Preparation, Wedding Preparation, Bereavement Ministry, Athletics, Men’s Club, Mom’s Ministry, CarePortal, Creation Care Ministry, Prayer Ministry, Funeral Lunches and Addiction Support Groups.
Our Campus Supports the Community
Our beautiful campus also supports our local community in numerous ways. The tranquility and natural beauty of our campus attracts countless walkers to our prayer path and gardens. Children enjoy the fun of our playground. We delivered over 6,300 drive-thru meals during our annual Men’s Club Fish Fry. We also held the Annual Firefighters fundraiser supporting families of firefighters killed in the line of duty.
We are truly blessed to have such a caring and giving parish family. Thank you for your time, your talents and your financial contributions. Thank you and May God Bless You.