April 28, 2015 // Local

Diocese disperses parishes-in-need grants

Todays Catholic

The Annual Bishop’s Appeal of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend includes a funding program to assist less affluent parishes. A Parishes-in-Need Fund Committee met recently to review parish requests for financial assistance of church projects. The committee recommended a total of $182,530.50 be granted to 10 parishes for 16 essential projects, enabling them to arrive at a more stable existence.

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades approved the grants.

“Although, we can’t meet every request submitted by the parishes,” said Msgr. Robert C. Schulte, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese. “We carefully consider the nature of each request in light of the total needs and financial resources of the parish as well as the other parishes in the diocese requesting funding assistance.”

“If all or part of a request cannot be met, often the committee will recommend the parish apply to another fund of financial resource in the diocese or community, or seek other alternatives,” Msgr. Schulte added.

Some funds usually remain in the account for use throughout the year by parishes when a new need arises, Msgr. Schulte indicated. If all the money is not used in 2015, however, it will be carried over and allocated to next year’s Parishes-in-Need fund.

“Hopefully, this money will strengthen these parishes financially, increase their outreach and improve their ability to do the work of Christ,” said Bishop Rhoades.

This year’s allocation of Parishes-in-Need funds brings the amount granted to $5,827,921 from the Annual Bishop’s Appeal to parishes in need during the 28 years of the Annual Bishop’s Appeal.

This year’s dispersion and the primary parish projects include:

Fort Wayne

• Queen of Angels — $10,000 to paint the walls and ceilings in the church, school and activity center

• St. John the Baptist — $6,642 to replace fireproof stairwell doors and main entry door in the school

Fort Wayne area

• St. Catherine, Nix Settlement, Columbia City — $24,085 to tuckpoint and seal remaining three outer walls of the church

South Bend

• Holy Cross — $12,730 to repair leaks on the addition of the Holy Cross School gymnasium and offices

• St. Adalbert — $40,000 for major repairs on the school roof and boiler room roof

• St. Anthony — $6,000 to upgrade the intercom system for the school

• St. John the Baptist  — $7,141 to obtain synchronized clocks in the school building

• St. Patrick — $2,680 to replace backflow device, which is failing and no longer meets code requirement, in tunnel of Parish Center

• St. Patrick — $8,854 to replace 56-year-old sewage ejector pump in Parish Center basement

• St. Patrick — $13,688 to replace failing boiler system in the church

• St. Patrick — $2,066 to replace failing backflow device, expansion tank cold side water heater and main water shutoff before water meter

South Bend area

• Queen of Peace, Mishawaka — $8,644 to replace the current HVAC system

• St. Monica, Mishawaka — $15,800 to tuckpoint the church

• St. Monica, Mishawaka — $6,950 to replace church and school drinking fountains

• St. Monica, Mishawaka — $4,108.50 to replace eight restroom stalls and toilet seats

• St. Monica, Mishawaka — $13,142 to replace carpeting in the school