St. Ann Catholic Church

Fayetteville, NC

State of the Parish

January 2013 – January 2014Dear Parishioners,

It has been 6 months since I was installed as your pastor. I am grateful for the generous spirit that I have encountered in that short time. I have also become aware of a gentle spirit that permeates this parish, no doubt through the gentle spirit of Fr. Tom who guided you over these past twelve years. I pray that I can bring that same gentle spirit which is so much a part of the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales.

I would like to present to you this first parish report as your pastor. I am committed to sharing with you the gentle and inviting spirit of St. Francis de Sales, to “live Jesus” in our daily interactions with one another.

St. Francis de Sales tells us that we truly give thanks and praise to God for the many blessings that he has bestowed on us and on our families when we generously share those blessings with others. Gratitude for gifts received leads us to lives of generosity in sharing our time, talent and treasure.

This report provides you with a snapshot of our parish life during the past year. It does this by providing you with an overview of our demographics and sacramental life; by spelling out the goals and objectives of our councils and parish organizations; by listing our many ministries in both the parish and the wider community; and finally, by providing you with the annual financial report.

My prayer is that we will continue to grow together as a community of faith and love in which our members express their gratitude to God by living out a life of stewardship and service.

In the Christ,

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Fr. Steve

St. Ann Mission Statement

We are God's people who have chosen to identify ourselves officially as a parish family. We are united by our common faith, shared and mutual charity. Our mission is to lead our members to a fuller knowledge and love of God and neighbor and to proclaim the gospel message through word, sacrament and service to all of God's people, both within and outside of our parish.

Spirituality of St. Francis de Sales

Salesian Spirituality is a practical everyday spirituality for living in the modern world as learned, lived and shared by St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) and St. Jane de Chantal (1572-1641), spiritual friends. Salesian spirituality gives expression to a way to journey in the spiritual life as we embrace the duties of our state in response to the universal call to holiness - in the words of St. Francis de Sales to "bloom where you are planted." It's a "spirituality of the heart," as relevant today as in the time of St. Francis de Sales himself, an all-embracing, down-to-earth spirituality for everyone.

The essence of the spirituality can be found in the "Introduction to the Devout Life," a book written by St. Francis de Sales at the beginning of the 17th century. The book, often referred to as a spiritual classic, contains the collective wisdom of the first sixteen centuries of the Christian experience. Salesian Spirituality can best be summed up in the motto of St. Francis de Sales, “Live Jesus.”

Direction of Intention

My God give me the grace to perform this action with you and through love for you. In advance I offer to you all the good that I will do and accept all the difficulty I may meet therein.

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Parish DemographicsTotal number of active Parishioners: 1119Total number of Active Households 482

Females: 600Males: 519

Children (to 18) 342Adults (18 - 20): 27Adults (21 - 64): 538Seniors (65 & Over): 212

Total Families w/ children: 174 36.17%Total Families w/out children: 307 63.83%Average Age 55.32 Median Age is 48

Where we live:Cameron 1 % Falcon 1 %Fayetteville 82% Fort Bragg 1% Godwin 1% Hope Mills 5% Raeford 1% Spring Lake 1% Stedman 2 % Other 5 %

Parish Office ReportsReport on St. Ann Catholic SchoolPrincipal: Rene’ Corders

St. Ann Catholic School is in its 57th year of providing a quality Catholic education for those boys and girls whose parents are totally committed to the propagation of the faith. The 2013-14 enrollment of 120 students has fallen short of the projection on which the budget of $485,356 was based

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due in large part to military changes of station. As such, the school year has been a financially challenging one. Nevertheless, the principal, staff and faculty of 9 full time and 4 part time teachers have dedicated themselves to maintaining the stellar standard of instruction for which the school is noted without compromise.

Report on Faith FormationDirector of Faith Formation: Kathy Flynn

Grade SchoolChildren’s Liturgy of the Word (11 am Mass) 20Nursery (1-3 year olds - during 11 am Mass) 4-6Vacation Bible School (VBS) 24Pre-K/Kindergarten 9Grade 1 4First Reconciliation/First Communion 28Grades 3 & 4 18Grades 5 & 6 16Grades 7 & 8 14High SchoolConfirmation Preparation 19Confirmed 3RCIA Adapted for Children 1 Children/Youth in Faith Formation & RCIA Total 103

Adult Faith Formation (approximate)Faith Matters (Meets Tuesday and Thursday) 45Conversion: Following the Call of Christ Study 6Diocesan Triduum Workshop 4Salesian Book Study Group 12TYM Second Sunday Adult Formation Sessions 10Baptism Preparation Workshops 49First Reconciliation Parent Meetings 23First Communion Parent Meetings 17Confirmation Meeting - Parents 14Confirmation Meeting – Sponsors 8RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) 7

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Financial Report Pok-Hui Folsom: Parish Book KeeperBrian Manning: Finance Council Chair

Revenues

Offertory (weekends and Holy Days) $ 322,485.00 Donations $ 19,052.82 Sale Catholic Books & CDs $ 836.17 Special Collections (Second Collections) $ 36,240.70 Priest Welfare/Retirement $ 9,984.63 BAA/Cathedral Campaign Rebates $ 12,551.00 Insurance Claims (Roof Damage) $ 28,124.74 Fees (TYM Retreats & Faith Formation) $ 6,602.28 Committees (AR Society & AAMEN) $ 6,676.17 Transfers Savings (School & Church Roof) $ 43,302.23 Loan Proceeds (School & Church Roof) $ 52,000.00 Diocesan/National Collections $ 15,462.51 Building/Debt Reduction $ 105,091.93 Total Revenues $ 658,410.18

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Expenditures

Faith Formation (Youth/Adult) $ 10,977.76 Worship (Sacraments & Music) $ 30,587.66 Committees (AR Society & AAMEN) $ 4,212.24 Outreach (Catholic Charities & Care Clinic) $ 1,668.50 Personnel $ 180,627.91 Office $ 10,435.78 Plant (Utilities & Maintenance of Facilities) $ 192,588.83 Diocesan/Deanery Support $ 28,728.06 School Support $ 21,000.00 Transfers to Savings (Painting 2014) $ 6,000.00 Diocesan/National Collections $ 15,983.93 Payroll Related Items $ 24,459.16 Mortgage & Church/School Roof $ 122,397.79 Total Expenses $ 649,667.62

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Total Revenues $ 658,410.18Total Expenses $ 649,667.62Surplus $8,742.56

Debt owed to the Diocese for 2002 Building ProjectTotal amount Debt as 12/31/2013 $570,109.99

Debt Collection $105,410.18Loan Repayment $122,397.79Balance Shortfall (-$17,305.86)

Monthly Loan Repayment $11,234.06Annual Schedule payment year 2014 $136,005.72

The deficit last year from the Debt Reduction Collection of $17,305.86 is made up by moneys taken from the operating expense of the Parish.

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Surplus $8,742.56Debt Reduction shortfall $17,305.86Parish shortfall 2013 (-$8563.30)

Parish Goals for 2014 Proposed by Parish Council

75th Anniversary of Parish Goals• Organize and execute anniversary activities each month during anniversary year.• Foster participation in anniversary activities• Unveil set of commemorative Christmas ornaments for sale to defray anniversary year expenditures.• Write a history of the parish

Spiritual Improvement Goals• Foster devotion to Blessed Sacrament• Establish 40 Hours Eucharistic Devotion in conjunction with Parish Mission• Foster growth of Salesian Spirituality by offering enrichment sessions and scheduling Salesian speakers.

Faith Formation Improvement Goals• Complete implementation of the various components of the new Diocesan Confirmation Norms.• Provide adult formation opportunities to help empower parishioners to participate more effectively in the “new evangelization.”• Form a faith formation committee to explore ways in which the program could be improved or expanded.

Financial Improvement Goals• Revise and update school endowment• Establish a scholarship for children to attend St. Ann School• Establish a parish capital repair endowment• Implement on-line giving option for contributions

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Capital Improvement Goals• Establish and launch new parish website• Establish a Building and Capital Improvement Committee to examine the long term needs of the parish• Formulate a 5 year plan to prioritize the capital needs of the parish.• Formulate a plan for the renovation of the Parish Hall.

Reports from Parish OrganizationsAAMEN President: Rene’ Corders

The activities of the St. Ann Chapter of the African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization Network during 2013 were planned to underscore the mission of the Roman Catholic Church. They were designed to create an atmosphere in which members can maintain their identity, heighten their visibility and enhance their lives as Catholics through evangelization efforts. Our chapter has initiated a Family and Friends Mass event, developed a DVD based on the history of our church, attended AAMEN Diocesan meetings and retreats, hosted a Spring Gala, provided scholarships to St. Ann School, represented the Parish at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Liturgy and the African Heritage Liturgy in Raleigh, hosted a Christmas luncheon for senior citizens of all faiths and secured Josephite calendars featuring African American art for fundraising purposes.

Legion of MaryThe Legion of Mary is a worldwide organization of lay apostolate in which Catholic men and women sanctify themselves through prayer and spiritual work in union with Our Blessed Mother.

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Legion of Mary: Queen of Heaven Presidium (Morning)President: Karina Quail

Total Active Members 14St Ann's parishioners 7 Other Parishes 7Auxiliaries (Praying Support Group) 33

Weekly Activities: Visit 8 nursing homes, lead prayer, bring Holy Communion; participate in Pilgrim Virgin and Faith Formation, Pray at Planned Parenthood, Hospice.

Legion of Mary: The Queen of Peace Presidium (Evening)President: Betty Houghtaling

Total Active Members 8 2 probationary membersAuxiliary (Praying support group) 53 members

Weekly Activities: Pilgrim of Mary Statue Rotation; Attendance at Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays, Evangelization by example, praying for fallen Catholics and inspire others to become Catholics; Recruiting workers to help form other presidiums in our area (mainly St. Patrick Church and San Isidro Church) Yearly activities: phone contacts for the Bishop’s Annual Appeal Summer Bible school for children, Support the Knights of Columbus with their various activities.

The Altar and Rosary SocietyPresident: Pat Stewart

Membership: 33 active members 5 members who are shut-insActivities engaged in over the past year: Clean altar linens; prepared and served funeral luncheons; prepared and served food for over 100 homeless people at the Salvation Army; Pray “Rosary after Mass during October and May; sponsored a sale of religious

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and other articles in November; hosted a free concert by the HASM group in February; sponsored a "Spring Fling" in April; provided gifts and hosted a reception for St. Ann Church Members' graduating seniors and their families in June; We sponsor a prayer line, monthly members visited sick and shut-in members, as part of our outreach, we reach out and visit the homebound of our parish an remember them during holidays and birthdays.

The Knights of Columbus: Father William P. Ryan CouncilGrand Knight: John Rock

The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 by the Venerable Father Michael J. McGivney, and originally serving as a mutual benefit society to low-income immigrant Catholics, it developed into a fraternal benefit society dedicated to providing charitable services, promoting Catholic education and actively defending Catholicism in various nations. There are currently 83 active members of the Knights in our parish. Seven new Knights were inducted this year. We have contributed over $7000.00 in goods, services and finances to various needs in the community. Among these are St Ann School, Catholic Charities and the Neighborhood Youth Center.

Report from Neighborhood Youth CenterDirector: Esther Patterson The St. Ann Neighborhood Youth Center is a culturally diverse educational after school tutoring program that primarily serves low performing public school students in the surrounding community and was founded in 1995 by the Daughters of Charity. The Youth

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Center is sponsored by the Parish but is an independent ministry. During the 2012 - 2013 school year forty-eight students in grades 2 - 5 participated in the program. Student participants attend 5 area schools. Fifteen adults, three Methodist University students, and thirty-eight St. Ann Middle School students served as volunteers. There were six bus drivers and monitors, a director and an administrative assistant. Activities during 2013: The NYC held its annual summer camp June; Thanksgiving family dinner with food distribution was held in November and 91 students and family members were served a complete dinner. Thirty-five families received Angel Tree Gifts that were provided by our parishioners. Our TYM students helped with the distribution of the food and gifts. The Knights of Columbus provided the hams for the food baskets.

Major funding for the NYC comes from Youth Growth Stock Trust, Women’s Giving Circle, Fayetteville Deanery Endowment for the Poor, St. Patrick's Catholic Church and many other religious and civil entities.

NEW CHURCH WEBSITE www.stanncatholicchurch.org

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