Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 2, 2025 News
Good News on Parish Finances. In May I spoke at all the Masses about the possibility of the Parish facing a financial net deficit/loss for the year ending June 30, 2025, and asked that you help us avoid that by increasing your giving. I called it the “Pastor’s Giving Appeal”—“PGA.”
Well, thanks to your generous responses to my PGA, as well as two surprises from the Bishop, we were more than able to end the year with net ordinary income (surplus) of $137,357 (based on preliminary “unadjusted” numbers). This reflects an increase of about 14% in weekly offertory, and about a $20,000 increase in other donations.
It also reflects a decision announced in June by Bishop Burbidge to double the interest paid to us on our “DIAL” account (all the savings of all the parishes are held and invested in this Diocese investment account, on which we are paid interest). That “extra” interest amount was $ 42,472.
In addition to the extra interest, the Bishop also announced a “Extraordinary Dividend” of $100,000 on our DIAL account. This amount brings our “Net Surplus” for the year to $237,357.
Needless to say, I was unaware of the extra interest and Dividend from the DIAL when I spoke to you in May. But these two amounts are extraordinary, and should not be counted on when we plan for future financial operations.
That’s why I’m so grateful for the response to the PGA. If we keep that going for the coming year, we should be in great shape going forward into the new year.
Town Hall Meetings. Back in early 2020 I had decided to call a “Town Hall meeting” of the parish to discuss the fiscal future of the Parish—a “Parish Hall Meeting.” But then Covid hit, and the idea of a grand meeting had to be put off for essentially 2 years. And then the Synod on Synodality struck, and I didn’t want to confuse the Parish Hall Meeting with “synodality” (whatever that means).
But now, I think we can move forward, and I am planning to hold at least 2 Parish Hall Meetings this coming Fall. The purpose would be not to discuss so much the spiritual and formation aspects of the parish, but to discuss your hopes and ideas for the physical plant of the parish.
For example, I’ve often wondered if we need more space for meetings, classrooms, etc., i.e., should we build another building? Apparently a third building (in addition to the church and rectory) was part of the early construction plans for the physical plant, as “phase two.” To be clear, I have no burning desire to build—it’s my worst nightmare. But…maybe there’s a need to…
We can also discuss beautifying the facilities by adding landscaping, flowers, and/or sculptures/shrines to the grounds. Or perhaps extend our efforts to beauty the interior church.
And perhaps I can get some ideas from you about how to pay for any improvements.
You will be hearing more from me about this, but in the meantime please send me any suggestions for ideas that you would like to discuss at the meeting. Of course we don’t want the Meetings to be free-for-alls: those are usually a waste of time in a practical and constructive sense. So, send me your ideas (in very brief form) and I’ll get back to you soon about meeting dates etc.. You can email me at fdc@straymonds.org.
Fairfax County Public School News. Did you see this story in the news? As reported by Foxnews.com:
“The Department of Education is giving five northern Virginia school districts ten days to fix their transgender bathroom policies or face ‘enforcement action,’ the agency said Friday.
“Public school districts in Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Alexandria City and Arlington were all found to be in violation of Title IX after an investigation by the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights that began in February, according to a press release shared Friday.
“The release cited a June ruling by the Supreme Court, which the department said acknowledged that a person’s identification as ‘transgender’ is distinct from a person’s biological sex.
“‘The investigation was based on complaints alleging that the [school districts] have similar anti-discrimination policies pertaining to ‘transgender-identifying’ students, which violate the sex-based protections of Title IX,’ the release said….
“Craig Trainor, the Department of Education’s acting assistant secretary for civil rights [stated],….“The Education Department’s non-compliance finding prompted the agency to issue a proposed resolution agreement whereby each school district can take corrective action to prevent any enforcement actions by the Trump administration.
“That action would require the districts to rescind any policies or regulations allowing students to access bathrooms, locker rooms or other intimate facilities on the basis of their preferred gender identity as opposed to their biological sex….
“The districts would also be compelled under the agreement to adopt ‘biology-based definitions’ of the words ‘male’ and ‘female’ to be used in all practices and policies.
“The Department of Education gave the school districts 10 days to voluntarily agree to these demands or risk ‘imminent’ consequences, including a potential referral to the Department of Justice…”
Pope Leo praises Cardinal Burke. Did you see this from the Catholic News Agency:
“Pope Leo XIV has written a warm and detailed letter to Cardinal Raymond Burke, thanking the American cardinal for 50 years of priestly ministry, in a gesture that marks a shift in tone following years of tension between Burke and Pope Francis….
“Leo’s letter, written in Latin and signed by the pope on June 17, was posted Tuesday by Burke on his official X account. In it, the pope praised Burke ‘for the prompt service he has zealously carried out and the earnest care he has demonstrated most especially for the law, which has also been of good service to the dicasteries of the Apostolic See.’
“The pope went on to commend Burke’s pastoral witness, writing: ‘He has preached the precepts of the Gospel according to the heart of Christ and has recounted His treasures, diligently offering his devoted service to the Church universal.’
“In his post accompanying the papal letter, Burke wrote that he was ‘very humbled’ by it and appealed to his followers to pray for the pope. ‘May God bless Pope Leo and grant him many years. Viva il Papa!’ Burke wrote…
“Burke, 77, was ordained to the priesthood by Pope Paul VI on June 29, 1975….”
Thomas Dietz. This last Friday I offered the funeral Mass for founding parishioner Tom Dietz. Tom was a devout Catholic, a fine gentleman and a good friend and trusted advisor to me for the last 15 years. He served the parish in various capacities over the years, including as a trusted member of my Finance Council. For the last few years various ailments have slowed him down, but he was here at Mass every Sunday, giving us his prayerful support. Join me in praying for his soul, and for the consolation of his family.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace. Amen.
Oremus pro invicem. Fr. De Celles