Leadership is transparency and accountability! Hence, the July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 Parish Financial Summary Report is in today’s bulletin. It’s a requirement from the Diocese of San Bernardino. If you so desire to see the particulars of the report, please don’t hesitate to come to the office during the week.

The year’s past, blessings abound! Fr. Mike steered the parish when I was attending to my responsibilities as an Episcopal Vicar. Fr. Joseph, while engrossed in his studies, continued to render high-quality service to the youth of the parish. Deacons Pat and Tony have steadily doing sacramental ministries, such as Baptisms. The parish’s evangelization program has evolved into an engaging ministry through Deacon Paul’s leadership.

And YOU – our lay people are blessings, too! Over 1,000 volunteers are involved in the various ministries listed on the back of the bulletin. Imagine, a Mass in a Sunday requires as many as 50 volunteers - from hospitality to music and to Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Your generosity is also remarkable! Saturated with second collections, yet you still share your resources. It is not because you have money to waste, but because you are generous, and you believe in the saying: “It is better to give than to receive!” We are grateful to your commitment and generosity. You are duly described as “visible signs of God’s love!”

Your bountiful generosity made St. Paul the Apostle Church financially stable. And Tacie Adams, Parish’s Business Manager, managed carefully the parish’s financial resources, with the professional assistance of the Finance Council and close monitoring of the Parish Pastoral Council.

Questions about the long-term impact of the new Blessed Oscar Romero Parish in Eastvale have reached me. A slight reduction in our income was noticed, but I trust that you will see it in your hearts to close the gap.

Church’s facilities are aging, and spending above the costly maintenance is a necessity: painting of the Church exterior at a cost of $40,000; interior lighting has been addressed; electricity’s and insurance’s costs are increasing. Landscaping’s normal maintenance is not sufficient; we have to pay for tree removal in some instances. Our new Ministry Center is now in operation, and incurring regular facility costs such as electricity and communication. Rest assured that all the above are constantly addressed by the parish leadership.

But the good news is: we have ended the year with a little money to spare, and for that, we are grateful. Please continue praying for God’s blessings on St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Community that, we become “visible signs of God’s love!”

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Romy Seleccion, MS