I was very pleased by the request coming from the Board concerning the financial situation of the school. It is a right that we have to respect. I am very much in favor of transparency: it has proved to be the best policy.
I have written a published an article: “The rights of God’s people”, that is made available to you.  The principle running through my nine years at St. Therese is quite simple: “What touches on the life of everyone has to be discussed by everyone”. From here the many Parish Council Meetings and the Parish-Assembly at the beginning of each New Pastoral Year. The only regret I have is to see that people are too busy and that at time they prefer the laid back position.

The School Board of this year is very encouraging; its members are numerous and they seem to be dedicated, professional, young and vibrant.

+ History

In field of Education, “Catholic” stands for dedication, professionalism and values.

Universities, Hospitals and “Sacred Representations” were born in the Catholic world and around the city Cathedrals.

Catholic schools are meant to serve the underprivileged; “Salesians”, “Christian Brothers” and “Jesuits” are famous for their out-standing education systems and they are doing an excellent work in Asia.

+ The situation of the Catholic Education in USA.

Catholic Schools in USA were run, since their very beginnings, by Religious Orders with Faculties made of Religious Personnel.  They were not paid for their services since they were doing it for “the Kingdom of God”. With the decrease of Religious Vocations, Catholic Schools are now run by lay Personnel who have families and bill to pay! It is well know that Catholic School pays very low salaries. 

+ At St. Therese:

Tuition cover only 80% of the operational costs of the school, the remaining 20% has to be provided by the School Board, grants and Benefactors. Roughly we need to raise $400,000.00 annually on the top of tuition.

St. Therese Parish has only one Budget with two parts: Church and School. The deficit of one becomes the deficit of the other side. Whereas the School can not do without the Church is not true the opposite.

Tuitions have to be kept as low as possible. Other Parishes make a distinction between “Parishioners” and “Non- Parishioners”. See St Lucy, Old St. Mary and St. Jerome in our neighborhood.

Our Parish has a Parish Council which meets every month or month and a half. They are the advisory body of Pastor. Ours was composed of five-six people in the past when I newly came. At the moment we have an average of 15 or 20 people attending regularly. All topics are openly discussed, especially financial issues. The School Principal is part of it.

We have also an outstanding Financial Committee made of six members, all professionals. According to our records, last year we met 10 times. Bills are cut weekly by a professional accountant whom we hire from the Archdiocese. She provides also balance sheets and checks that all the money has been deposited.

We publish all monies received  on the weekly bulletin which is also available on line as well as the Financial report and the Budget.

Twice a Year we give a report to Parishioners; usually is done by the Chair of the Financial Committee. The Annual Parish Assembly sees parishioners spending the whole day together in one of the many Retreat Centers of the archdiocese. On that occasion we provide both the narrative and the hard figures for the Financial Report.

The Budget is discussed and approved by the Financial Committee; it is subsequently forwarded to the local Bishop and his staff for approval. Should we exceed a deficit of $20,000 we revise it.

All this is done for the sake of accountability and transparency. Should anyone have questions, please, feel free to contact me or Fr. Aniello at the Rectory. I wish to publicly express my gratitude to all those dedicated parishioners who help us to handle with honesty and professionally the delicate issue of finance.

Fr. Michael