“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
(Malachi 3:10)
November 23, 2025
Dear Saint Katharine Drexel Parish Family,
As we come to the close of another fiscal year, my heart is full of gratitude for each of you. Together, through prayer, generosity, and love, we’ve continued to build a vibrant community of faith here at Saint Katharine Drexel. Thank you for being part of this beautiful family of disciples who seek to know, love, and serve the Lord.
Our patroness, Saint Katharine Drexel, reminds us that a life of discipleship is built on three pillars—prayer, learning, and service. Each of us has been given spiritual gifts and charisms meant to strengthen the Body of Christ. I encourage you to reflect on how you can use your unique gifts more intentionally—to pray deeply, to grow in your faith, and to serve generously—so that together, we continue building the Kingdom of God right here in our midst.
With the help of our dedicated Parish Finance Council, I’d like to share a snapshot of where we stand financially as a parish. Thanks to your faithful stewardship and support, we’ve had a blessed year:
- Parish Income (Revenue) for the fiscal year totaled $1,447,530.00, a decrease of $16,286.00 from the previous year.
- Parish Expenses came to $1,644,655, which is a decrease of $16,418.00 than last year.
- This decrease was mainly due to unfilled personnel positions.
The Finance Council carefully reviews our finances each quarter and submits all reports on time to the Diocese of Venice. If you’d like to take a closer look, the full financial charts are available on our NEW parish website, Flocknote, and in the bulletin.
I’m especially grateful to all of you who have already supported the Catholic Faith Appeal (CFA) this year. Your generosity helps sustain not only our parish but also the many ministries of the diocese that serve those most in need.
Our parish’s CFA goal for this year is $250,000.00. So far, we’ve collected $217,102 and have $237,512 pledged—which means we’re very close, just $32,898.00 short of our goal! Out of 5,050 registered families, 585 have contributed. If you haven’t yet had a chance to participate, I invite you to prayerfully consider making a gift to help us reach our goal.
A special thank-you goes to our Finance Council members—Tom Feig (Chairperson), Victor Balaj, Peter Barrett, Phaedra Weiler, Kathleen Houghton, Kathy Scott, and Ed Puisis—for their faithful work behind the scenes. Their time, expertise, and dedication ensure that we remain good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.
My friends, we truly have so much to be thankful for! Your generosity, your presence at Mass, your volunteer service, and your prayers make our parish a place of encounter with Christ. As we move forward, let’s continue to follow the example of Saint Katharine Drexel by living as intentional disciples—rooted in prayer, eager to learn, and ready to serve—so that together we can build up the Kingdom of God.
I also want to offer a heartfelt invitation and challenge: if you and your family have not yet registered as parishioners, please take that important step. Registration isn’t just a formality—it’s a way of saying, “This is my spiritual home.” It allows us to better serve you and helps you to be more deeply connected to the life of the parish.
Likewise, if you have not yet begun to tithe or give regularly, I encourage you to prayerfully consider doing so. Regular giving—whatever the amount—strengthens our parish and allows us to plan confidently for ministry, maintenance, and mission. More importantly, tithing is an act of faith and gratitude to God. The Lord promises in Scripture:
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
— Malachi 3:10
When we give first to the Lord, we declare that everything we have is a gift—and everything we give is an act of love and trust.
Thank you for all you do for our parish family. May the Lord bless you abundantly for your faith, your love, and your joyful stewardship. Together, let’s continue to build a parish alive with prayer, learning, and service—just as Saint Katharine Drexel envisioned for all disciples of Christ.
United in the holy Eucharist,
-Father Ricky M. Varner
