May 2025 www.thefloridacatholic.org
YOUR MIAMI COMMUNITY
Financial Report
9
BECAUSE OF YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT IN FY 2024
2024 Fiscal Year • Archdiocese of Miami Your generosity supports Church’s mission Archbishop Wenski’s letter accompanying fiscal year 2024 financial statement
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seminarians continued their training to become priests of the archdiocese
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Once again I am happy to provide the June 30, 2024 financial statement for the Archdiocese of Miami. The report for fiscal year 2024 presents the relative financial health of the various ministries and charitable services that are sustained by the generous contributions of the faithful of this archdiocese. It also shows my continued commitment — and the commitment of my collaborators in the governance of this local Church — to a responsible and transparent stewardship of the resources you entrust to us for the sake of the mission of the Church. This local Church of Miami, established as a diocese in 1958 and elevated to an archdiocese in 1968, exists for no other purpose than to evangelize — to preach the Gospel so that all the people of our times here in South Florida may encounter the living Christ in their daily lives. All fundraising done in the name of the Church — from ABCD to the Sunday offertory collection to the various special collections for causes outside the Archdiocese to a parish bake sale or festival — should serve ultimately, in one way or another, the mission of the Church. In other words, your generous financial gifts are gratefully received in support of the mission of the Church. And it continues to be overwhelmingly true, that despite the several challenges of the economy, the great generosity of the people has been evident. And I, along with the pastors, principals and all archdiocesan leaders, are accountable as responsible stewards of the gifts of the people of God. The monies and other support received are given for the sake of the mission of the Church. Therefore, we use the always limited resources of the Church in ways that are most ef-
214
priests celebrated Eucharist in the 109 parishes, missions and institutions of the archdiocese
8,206 813 477 infants and
youth and adults received Baptism and were welcomed into their parish communities Archbishop Thomas Wenski smiles during the procession entering Milander Park for the Mass of Our Lady of Charity, Sept. 7, 2024. (CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO | FC)
ficient, responsible and coherent with its mission of evangelization. While this letter is written to accompany the publication of the Archdiocese of Miami 2024 Financial Statement, it expresses far more than the accomplishments of financial performance. Lives are changed, people of all ages encounter Christ in the celebration of Mass and the sacraments even amidst the challenges that surround us. They respond with great love in the living of the Gospel here in South Florida. The financial report is good news, but the greatest news is the renewed vitality of this local Church and, in spite of the challenges of the past year, the potential that continues to await us as an archdiocese now and for the future. As I wrote now more than a decade ago in the pastoral letter at the close
of the Second General Synod, in October 2013: “…how great a gift faith is. It gives direction and purpose to our lives; it is a light that shines for us in the night, that surrounds us, giving us hope and the courage to love.” During this past fiscal year 2024 the gift of faith has sustained us through challenging times. That same gift of faith in Christ Jesus compels us to care for our neighbor. The generosity of the faithful has enabled the Archdiocese to care for our neighbor, in numerous ways, both spiritually and physically. Thank you for your continued support and prayers for this archdiocese. Be assured of my prayers for you. Sincerely yours in Christ, Archbishop Thomas Wenski
583
adults were received into full Communion with the Catholic Church
8,530
children received their first Holy Communion