From the Pastor

History may be described as an accumulation of stories about how people respond to challenging circumstances and events. We as a faith community have been living through history as we continue to respond to the realities and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. We certainly have many stories, some of which are recorded in the following pages of the 2021 Annual Parish Financial Report.

Throughout much of the year, I have been amazed by how the parishioners of Saint Bartholomew have been able to adapt and adjust to the challenges of the pandemic.  Two operative words during this time period are sustaining and creating. In reading and reviewing this report, I am struck with the many ways the parish has pivoted in sustaining our programs and creating new ones through spirituality and charity works.

How blessed we are — and how grateful I am. And the successes of all our parish ministries are revealed in our strong stewardship resulting in a healthy financial balance. On behalf of all of our ministerial teams allow me to say that we are very grateful for your generosity.

Turning to some of the numbers found this year’s financial report, you will see further evidence of our parish’s way of sustaining and creating ways to continue to celebrate the Sacraments as well as our parish sacramental preparation programs.

In our Parish Financial Report, you will find the comparative financial report of 2020 and 2021 and it was evident that due to COVID-19 closures there was a decrease in our parish revenues by approximately 5%.

It is evident the impact of the pandemic that struck the world at the first quarter of 2020 and the months of closure of the parishes for celebration of the Sacraments. Looking back I realized that I was only here at Saint Bartholomew for 6 months as your pastor when I faced the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank you all for your generous spiritual and financial support to the parish despite of the trials that came upon us during these past years.

It is worthy to mention that our parish community is looking forward to celebrate it’s 50 years, and of course we continue to make progress in our parish hall project. Let us all leave it into hands of God who never fails to provide for us.

Finally, let me reiterate that we are going through a pandemic of historic proportions but as we do so, all of us are quite engaged in sustaining our parish programs, creating meaningful new ones through which we truly strive to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus the Christ with our lives as a person and as a parish community for the greater glory of God.

I would like to thank Ms. Marichu Alo, Dennis Marcelino and the Parish Finance Council in preparing our 2021 financial report.