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A Front-Row Seat To God’s Provision In The Midst Of COVID-19
Stewardship Of Our Treasure And The Generosity Of Our Parishioners
The past several months have changed much about the way we live our lives — from the way we work, the way we shop for groceries, to the way we communicate with our family and friends, and the way we worship. However, here at St. Vincent de Paul, one thing that has not changed is the faithful generosity and commitment of our parishioners who financially support our community — and for that, we are truly grateful.
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“I had all kinds of fears at the beginning of this COVID stuff,” says Msgr. Tucker. “I remember writing an article about the 1930s and thinking, ‘This could end up being the same,’ and it hasn’t. People have really stepped up [financially] and kept doing what they have been doing. There is generosity and commitment to the Church and faithfulness to the mission of the Church.”
During the 2019-20 fiscal year, at a time when parishes all over the country were suffering financial hardships, our donations were up nearly $9,000 from the previous year.
“We’ve got generous people and we have people who are committed to the mission of the Church,” Msgr. Tucker says. “There are people who’ve come in and said, ‘We know this is a tough time, here’s a gift.’
“It touches my heart to see people’s goodness,” he adds. “So many people just love the Church.”
Parishioners’ continued financial generosity has allowed us to continue fulfilling our mission, particularly in the areas of education — which is where about 50 percent of our annual budget is allotted, supporting our school, CCD program and adult faith formation program. Our Spirit 2020 summer fundraiser was also a great success, despite becoming a remote event. Particularly during a time when many of us had more limited opportunities to give of our time and talent, especially with many of our formal parish ministries on hold, giving of our treasure allowed our staff to continue doing their important work.
“We would like to be able to do things with our own hands and feet, but sometimes it’s not possible to do this,” Msgr. Tucker says. “But when we give financially, we’re allowing someone else to be those hands and feet that we wish we could be. It is a way that we can empower others to do the work of the Lord, and we participate in that with our financial gift.”
We plan to move forward with financial prudence and caution in the coming months, given the uncertainty of the financial effects of COVID over the next several years — yet, we are confident in God’s provision.
“The effects of what has happened over the last five or six months are probably not going to show themselves until much later down the road,” Msgr. Tucker says. “Our interim bishop has advised us, ‘Be patient and prayerful, and don’t be quick to get right back on all the agendas and efforts that you were planning before the shutdown.’ He’s been a voice of caution and I’m listening to that. We need to make sure that we’re making good and wise choices with the resources that we have.”
Msgr. Tucker is grateful for the many ways that our parishioners have come together, as a tangible reminder of our shared mission and efforts to do God’s work in our parish and community. He reminds all of us that regardless of the size of our donation, God works in powerful ways when we come together in generosity.
“There are times when things happen that are discouraging, and the Lord gives us these consolations to help us keep going,” Msgr. Tucker says. “He knows when we start getting discouraged, and He just helps us by sending someone along who gives us that hope. The Lord never forgets us.
“While I’m here, I hope to help the Catholic community here grow — grow in faith and love, giving our time and talent and treasure for this end,” he adds. “It doesn’t matter how much we’re giving, because when our gift is united to the entire group, we’re participating with the whole community in doing something good.”
