The following is a reprint of the letter Fr. Keller that
wrote to the parish in the 10/4/20 Good News Messenger:

          The response to the COVID-19 Pandemic has been very difficult on most churches. Our Sacraments and Liturgies have been disrupted and our community life has been significantly reduced. The mandated closure of Sunday Masses, limited occupancies, and the loss of many fundraisers including the Fish Fry and Parish Picnic has left donations to the parish severely reduced. Throughout the pandemic, I have been amazed at how many parishioners still sent their Sunday Offering in or switched to online giving. Many vulnerable people are still sending us their weekly contributions because they still are not attending Mass in person. 

          However, despite the fidelity of so many parishioners, our collection has been affected. Assumption Parish is facing a significant deficit due to COVID-19. We expect a $217,308 loss in projected in revenue by July of 2021. Also, due to all the staffing and environmental changes required to operate the grade school deficit is projected to be $312,276 and AELC’s deficit will be $33,941. Combined, we are expecting an unprecedented $500,000 deficit through July 2021.

          This means at some point we will not have the money to continue the programs and retain our staff at Assumption. Not only our schools, but our other ministries, like Youth Ministry, Senior  Ministry, and parish programming, will be seriously   affected. It will also restrict our ability to provide the preventative maintenance that keeps our facilities in good condition and ultimately saving money in the future. Ultimately, despite all our advances in recent years, operating in the Covid-environment is costly and revenues are down. Our savings will quickly be depleted and the future of Assumption will be very different. I know many pastors are not sounding alarm bells yet, but I feel like letting our parishioners know now is not only fair but hopefully helpful in avoiding disaster.     

          We hope life will soon begin to return to normal, but until then we have to pull together. Many fundraisers are out of the question as Covid restrictions continue, so we will have to rely on a campaign. Our Stewardship and Development Committee has developed a fundraiser called #AssumptionTogether. Soon we will reach out to our major donors to consider making seed gifts to help us kick off #AssumptionTogether. We hope to wrap up this fundraiser on December 1st, known as “Giving Tuesday," so we can enter the new year knowing that we will have the funding to continue our mission at Assumption. Thank you again for coming together to support the many important ministries at Assumption.

God bless, Fr. Keller