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Important update to finance information in this week’s bulletin.
I know some people don’t read the bulletin online of a week ( to do so you click the” bulletin” tab above) but this week I’d ask parishioners to have a look at the bishop’s letter that I print in full.
It’s got info on what the Church is doing in preparation for the end of this time of Covid19 lockdown and what may come next. You’ll also see it talks of fundraising and the good thing from my viewpoint is because it sets out the position I don’t need to so much.
There’s no escaping the fact that this is delicate situation in that to blatantly push for money is crass in the extreme. This is especially so as some people’s whole livelihood will be impacted by what is happening.
It has been suggested to me that I should go to the gift aid list and send out envelopes so that people could have the opportunity to contribute. I have sat on the letter from the Bishop as I was trying to think what ‘s the best way to do this. I had thought that maybe saying to people that if they wish to let me know that they don’t want envelopes I would not send them but that I think would make people uncomfortable in a different way.
Instead in the next couple of weeks ( my woman who does this is furloughed so I’m going to do it myself so apologies in advance for high probability that it won’t be done very well) I’ll try to get envelopes to everyone on the gift aid list with the understanding that should I not hear back I am happy with that. Do not feel one scintilla of pressure from me or the Church. There will be no follow up. I will not keep a master list to see who has or hasn’t replied. You might’ve heard me say on occasion that I deliberately never look at the gift aid master list to see who is giving or what amount. I never match numbers to identities and the numbers ensure that counters don’t know who is giving or the amount. This is good for me and good for you as being over concerned about the money is a bad look for the priest. I used to be in the legal profession so I I know what an over regard for money can do.
I should say that I have been receiving envelopes through the door and gift aid forms and people have been telling me that they’re keeping their collections for when we get back together. I appreciate this greatly and I think at the end of the day we’ll most likely be fine. But right now we’re spending more than is coming in because we still need to pay the diocesan levy and building fund. Though apart from groceries and heating the house I have pretty much no expenditure to speak of as all parish work is on hold so we’re just ticking over.
I hope nobody feels in any way offended by this appeal. I do know many are giving and many more want to give so this at least points a way forward.
Fr Maurice
SUSPENSION OF CELEBRATION OF PUBLIC MASS
The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have announced that, due to the health threat of the COVID-19 virus, the public celebration of Mass, and all group prayer services, will be suspended beginning on Friday 20th March for the foreseeable future.
Please click here to review the announcement in full
Important Update Tuesday 24th March 2020
Government Lockdown order issued 8.30 pm on 23rd March 2020.
Click here for details on how it affects us
Your Clergy
Parish Priest: Reverend Maurice Callaghan