The Entire Thought

An “Ah- Hah” Moment

I was sitting in the Church office the other day when I had an “Ah-hah” moment. You know those moments, when the light bulb goes on in your head and you have clarity of thought on a particular matter?
It dawned on me that the only way our Parish receives money is if we collect it in the weekly offertory. I don’t know where I thought the money came from to support our parish ministry. Perhaps the Archdiocese of Denver or maybe Rome sent us a stipend? Okay, don’t laugh at me. I just never really put any thought into the matter.
The other day I watched while our Church secretary, Betsy, spoke to a community member about trying to find a home for an unwed mother from a foreign country that is in Steamboat to work. In the meantime, Father Ernest was in his office counseling and giving money to a family that needed gasoline to get them back to their home out of town. It hit me that I’ve observed many acts of kindness and ministrations while sitting in this office. Thus I pondered the question, “Where does the money come from to support these people and the ministries of this Parish?” Our parish church supports numerous ministries in town, besides ministering to our local parish families and just plain being there to help anyone in need. Holy Name Church supports Lift-Up of Routt County and the Steamboat Springs Pregnancy Resource Center. In conjunction with the Archdiocese of Denver, Holy Name supports the Church in Latin America and in the Holy Land, Catholic Relief Services, and the retirement fund for religious.
I’ve been in business my whole adult life. As a CPA and prior owner of several businesses I’m always looking at the income and expense of things. I have never had the opportunity, as I do now, to be a full-time volunteer. As such, I’ve been lucky enough to see first-hand all that Father Ernest, Father Tom and the paid staff do on a daily basis. Their work is tremendous and there is a cost to accomplish it. The money has to come from somewhere.
I had a client that once told me he didn’t mind paying his fair share of taxes to the U.S. Government, because he viewed it, “as his dues to belong to the greatest country club in the world.” Those roads I drive on and services I’m provided as a U.S. citizen have to be paid for somehow. I realize now that I feel the same way about Holy Name Church. I do belong to this parish family. I wouldn’t hesitate to send my children to faith formation classes or to call upon the priests in time of personal need. Additionally, I want to be part of this parish family that helps families either directly or through Lift-Up during their times of difficulty or need. As such, my weekly offering is important. I may not be the richest parishioner or the poorest, but I Am a
parishioner and I have the honor and responsibility to participate.

Donna Kerr, Parishioner

Donna Kerr is volunteering as the Financial Coordinator of Holy Name’s Capital Campaign.

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