Many years ago, my wife and I had more kids than money. As a result, we needed to budget very carefully, and watch our expenditures closely. When we first moved our family to Columbus, we bought a house that managed to test our budgeting skills even further. It was around twenty years old, and little did I know that when houses hit a certain age, things begin to break.
First we needed an expanded leech bed. Then a new heat pump. The roof was damaged by hail (the insurance company helped with that one) and needed to be replaced. The sump pump died. The basement required waterproofing. We replaced carpeting, fixed appliances, and painted many walls. It was a sacrifice at the time, but by God’s grace it all worked out and we lived in that house for almost twenty years.
We’re once again publishing the financial statements of the Diocese of Columbus. Like my young family all those years ago, our Diocesan “family” is growing. We budget very carefully. Things break. And our buildings need ongoing attention to accommodate everyone. Thankfully, God’s grace is at work throughout the Diocese.
With the generous support of the faithful – you – we are grateful to be in a position where we expect to achieve a balanced budget for the second year in a row. Thank you! We had another positive year of growth in many areas, and financial stability.
Of course, challenges and opportunities persist. In terms of good news, due to positive market conditions, our pensions are fully funded. On the flip side, health care costs continue to rise rapidly across the Diocese, and we have had to pass along cost increases to employees and Diocesan organizations. In addition, there are plentiful deferred maintenance projects in many facilities.
Last year, I established three overarching priorities that continue to be important in advancing the life of the Church here in our Diocese. Financial Sustainability is very much on track, and we are determined to keep it that way. Building for the Future is also underway around the Diocese, and there will be more in the future as our Diocesan family continues to grow. Finally, Operational Excellence is a never-ending process of improving our service delivery.
You may have heard the saying, “Money is a bit like air. You need a certain amount to live, but it’s not the reason for living.” That’s certainly true in the life of the Church. Our most important goal isn’t the accumulation of wealth, but rather to live our mission of proclaiming the gospel. By God’s grace, and thanks to your generosity, we continue to strive for alignment of our financial priorities with that mission, and to be good stewards of the resources you’ve provided. Please pray for us!
