Parish Administrator’s Notes
Phil Grant, Pastoral Administrator and Safe Environment Coordinator
September 6, 2026
Two Buckets
Here’s how I think about our parish finances: operations and capital needs. Both are critical. We need money in the operational bucket and the capital bucket. However, they refer to two very different aspects of financing our parish.
For the operations “bucket”, we rely primarily on regular contributions via envelopes, cash in the basket, and Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs). That’s how we pay staff salaries, office and program expenses, and regular maintenance on our buildings.
We also have to take care of our capital needs: roofs, parking lots, HVAC systems, and more.* For that bucket, we rely on contributions specifically linked to our capital needs. These funds flow from our monthly capital needs envelopes, designated EFTs, and our November Giving Thanks raffle fundraiser. Right now, we’re also collaborating with the Archdiocese through the Lord, Renew Your Church (LRYC) campaign.
With LRYC, 60% of funds raised are distributed to St. Matt’s, for identified capital needs in our church building: the HVAC system, the Social Hall, and the sound system.
The other 40% of LRYC funds will be used by the Archdiocese for its capital needs.
“What about the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA)?” That question has been asked several times lately. That annual appeal goes out to many people in our parish and the Archdiocese.
The answer is that the CSA focuses on Archdiocesan operational needs. The Arch also has two buckets.
When it comes to LRYC, do what you can—without reducing your regular envelope offerings. There are other ways to help. We value your prayer, your presence, and your volunteering.
Mother Teresa put it well: “Let us insist more and more on raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding, of peace. Money will come. If we seek first the Kingdom of God—the rest will be given.”
*Our Finance Council adopted a Capital Asset policy a couple of years ago. It states that we’ll “capitalize” anything that costs more than $5000 and has a useful life of 36 months or more.
Thank you for your support. Have a great week!
Phil Grant, Administrator
Safe Environment Coordinator
pgrant@st-matts.org
651-224-9793
