Saint Michael Savings Account

We are just about a month into the new fiscal year.  As we look ahead to the various fundraising activities for our parish, in addition to the different stewardship offertory envelopes and projects that may arise from time to time, there are four fundraising efforts for the 2025-2026 year.  These events are: [1] The Annual Raffle (Fall 2025); [2] Boozy Bingo (November 1, 2025; [3] Shaken Not Stirred  (January 31, 2026); and [4] Palm Sunday Pasta Dinner (March 29, 2026).  The total cost of all four of these efforts is $250 - $100 for two books of raffle tickets (with $6,000 given away over the course of the year); $50 for Boozy Bingo; $80 for Shaken Not Stirred; and $20 for the Pasta Dinner (with some proceeds going to charity).  Often, people will say they do not have the money for one or more of these events.  While I understand that sometimes, it may be a challenge to come up with $80 or $100 at a given time, I am asking everyone to consider establishing in your own home a “Saint Michael Savings Account”.  Like the old “Christmas Club Accounts” that some may remember the banks having, if you placed $5 a week per person in this “Account”, at the end of the year, you would have $260 per person, which would cover participation in all four activities (noting the two books of raffle tickets are based on households not individuals).  I realize there will be a bit of a deficit in this first year, with the events running from August through March, but at the end of the year, it will all work out.  It is imperative that everyone considers their active participation in the life of the parish.  I am extremely appreciative of the support demonstrated through the weekly offertory (we ended the previous fiscal year with about $10,000 more than anticipated); the generosity to the Annual Diocesan Appeal (currently $141,000 of a $103,000 goal); and the support to the many other envelopes and projects around the parish, the diocese, and the greater Church.  I ask that everyone consider participating in their own “Saint Michael Savings Account”, to have on hand the funds to support these four fundraising activities.  As a faith community – a family, we need to unite in these moments that provide a social dimension, while also allowing various aspects of ministry to happen.  Thank you, and in addition to tucking away that $5 per week, please mark your calendar for the following events:

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• 2025 – 2026 Annual Raffle Tickets, ($100 for two books), Fall 2025

• Parish Potluck (side dish or dessert per family),  September 28, 2025

• Boozy Bingo ($50 per person),  November 1, 2025           

• Shaken Not Stirred ($80 per person), January 31, 2026

• Palm Sunday Pasta Dinner ($20 per person),  March 29, 2026