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- to enhance our parish mission as a Center for Catholic Life in the ValleySome Mileposts in Our Journey
1. Balanced Budgets (2016-17) for Parish and School. By its nature, prudent stewardship requires
providing mission essentials in a cost-effective way within the framework of the Faith
Community's commitment, and by the grace of God. We are doing what we can to hew to this
norm. Parishioners are invited prayerfully to consider what the gifts they have received from God
are calling them to do to advance the Gospel here at St Joseph Church in Salem.
a. Parish: Thanks to a 10% increase in offertory in 2015-16, if sustained, we should be able to
have a balanced budget with minimal adjustments in 2016-17.
b. School: A "jewel" of a school! Each year 20% of our parish offertory, in accord with
archdiocesan guidelines, goes to St Joseph School (about $235k), as well as another $60k
from pink envelope gifts (for school, tuition assistance, endowment, etc.), about $50k in
parish funding of some programs and personnel (Children's Choir, Office staff time, Gym
maintenance, Development Director, etc.), and wonderful help from Salem Catholic Schools
Foundation.
c. The Pipe Organ Project (2012, put on hold in 2013 for the Boiler Project). The magnificent
Casavant pipe organ donated to us in 2012 by Pacific Lutheran University is here on-site.
"Casavant" is to pipe organ, as "Stradivarius" is to violin. We hope to enhanceour ability to glorify God through sacred music, in a way long encouraged by the Church for
worship. A contract is signed with Bond Organ Builders for the Casavant Pipe Orgaon for the
restoration and installation of the instrument. They will start work after Easter 2018 and will be
nstalled by end of June 28, 2019. Over 50% of the cost came from eight gifts. The rest is still
coming from many others who've "Adopted a Pipe", donated at various times, or given through
he parish envelopes since 2012. May God reward your charity!All are invited to help, especially by identifying resources for major gifts, and considering how you can pitch in as we pull together, a united parish, in this time of joyful preparation.