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MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT ST. JEROME’S
When part of the church roof is crying for repairs and the condition of the kneelers in the pews needs addressing, and week-to-week parish expenses are in search of a revenue boost, where is a pastor to turn for help?
For Auxiliary Bishop Guy A. Sansaricq, pastor of St. Jerome’s Church in Flatbush, the answer came in the form of parishioner support of the 2006 Annual Catholic Appeal, the Diocese of Brooklyn’s principal vehicle for meeting the needs of programs, services, parishes and schools.
In this year’s appeal, St. Jerome’s goal was set at $27,500, with all funds collected over goal to be returned to the parish for local needs, according to the appeal plan. The members of the largely Haitian congregation responded generously.
Through Sept. 5, 474 parishioners had pledged $91,680.23. If all pledges are redeemed, St. Jerome’s stands to receive $64,180.23 for parish needs, such as roof and kneeler repairs and weekly expenses help. Bishop Sansaricq has already received an initial check for $11,503.
“These funds are extremely important to the parish,” said the recently ordained bishop, who has been the pastor there since l993. There are many needs, he said.
What he found inspiring was the support given by many parishioners who have limited financial resources available to them.
Across the Diocese, the goal for parishes is $7,005,100. Parishioners have pledged $10,558,727.12 and as of Sept. 5 had paid $8,277,001.50.
Meanwhile, Bishop Sansaricq’s elevation to the episcopacy last month has continued to stir excitement among parishioners of St. Jerome’s, to which he has reacted with characteristic self-effacement: “Much to my dismay.”
9/12/06 # # # # # |
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