Annual report Chancery Office of the Diocese of Jackson Dear Friends in Christ, Another new year is upon us, and we pray that the year ahead will be one of favor from our Lord, Jesus, in our personal lives, our families and in all of our diocesan ministries. As we naturally look ahead, we pause to review the recent past by presenting our annual diocesan report which portrays a multitude of services at the chancery. These efforts support our diocesan mission to proclaim our Lord, crucified and risen, by word and deed, and to foster this Gospel work in our parishes, schools, and in all ministries throughout our expansive diocese. A lot of work goes on each day to get the job done. I am grateful to the faithful who generously support the work of the diocese because without this financial commitment we could not serve at such a high level. A careful reading of this report makes it clear that all in the chancery are working
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hard to achieve a standard of excellence as good stewards of God’s manifold graces and the financial resources entrusted to us. This inspires confidence at every level. In the recent past I have appreciated the strengthening of collaboration and communication with leadership in the chancery, and, in turn, with leadership throughout the diocese. Communion, participation and mission are the themes and goals of the process of Synodality for the church, and this is what I see every day in the chancery and in our diocese. The Synod has reminded us that we are the Body of Christ, the church, and we cannot lose sight of the Holy Spirit’s impulse toward greater unity, active participation in worship and in ministry, and the mission to make disciples by the light of the Gospel. A strong chancery network at the center of the diocese provides a structure that al-
Diocesan Priests ..............................53 Diocesan Priest Outside Diocese .......5 Catholic Population ..................42,850 Retired Priests .................................19 Number of Parishes .........................72 Religious Order ...............................20 Number of Missions ........................17 Priests Resident Abroad .....................1
lows all of us to value and stive for what is most important in God’s eyes. Over the past couple of years, we have navigated well through the pandemic, and have moved forward with a renewed sense of purpose. But some of our parishes and ministries are still recovering, and some parishioners have not returned. Rightly, we give thanks for such a positive annual report, all the while knowing that the work of evangelization and outreach are always before us. Let us never forget one of our lasting treasures, the power of prayer to accomplish God’s purposes. Sincerely yours in Christ,
+Joseph R. Kopacz Bishop of Jackson
Permanent Deacons .........................13 Brothers .............................................7 Sisters ..............................................40 Seminarians .......................................9 Lay Ecclesial Ministers ......................6
Baptisms ........................................550 Adult Baptisms ................................50 First Eucharist ...............................450 Confirmations ...............................260 Marriages .......................................175 Deaths ............................................392
Financial Report
Carolyn Callahan – Director, Department of Temporal Affairs The full audit report for the Chancery office finances of the Diocese of Jackson is available online at https://jacksondiocese.org/temporal-affairs. The pie charts included in this report exclude the restricted net asset and related transactions of the proceeds from the Sarullo Estate bequeathed to the Diocese, for the sole use and benefit of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Parish, Greenville, that are a required part of the audited financial statements. Included in the audited financial statements are the Current Fund and Deposit and Loan Fund. The Current Fund represents the services provided to the parishes, schools, and missions by the diocesan bishop and his representatives including the offices of the Bishop, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archives, Communication, Education, Faith Formation, Liturgy, Seminarian Education and Vocations, Stewardship and Development and Temporal Affairs. The Deposit and Loan fund represents the savings of all parish and school locations and the related investment portfolio. Separate from this report are the income and expenses of Catholic Charities and the Catholic Foundation. Two main sources of income for the Chancery office are the annual Cathedraticum Assessment and the Catholic Service Appeal. The Cathedraticum Assessment is currently 10.5% of the annual parish income, less certain exemptions for approved capital campaigns and subsidies paid
to schools. Income from this annual assessment funds the expenses of the office of the Bishop and his extended administration, all priest retirement and health insurance costs, and seminarian education, stipends and benefits costs. Personnel salary and benefits, clergy benefits and assistance, and seminarian education represent the major expenses of the administration of the Bishop. Other routine expenses include workshops and conferences held and attended, travel, newspaper printing and distribution costs, and grants awarded to parishes and schools. Significant areas to note for the finances of the Diocese and the Department of Temporal Affairs since the last annual report filed in January 2022 are: • While the overall Statement of Activities not including income/expenses restricted to St. Joseph Parish Greenville reflects a deficit of $98,115 it is important to note the Unrealized Losses on the Deposit and Loan portfolio of $3.3 million and adjustments made to the unfunded pension liability of the Lay Frozen Employee Retirement Plan considering the state of the economy and market as of 06/30/2022 and currently. • Although the decline in the market has significantly impacted the Deposit and Loan Portfolio, the current balance overall is greater than the amount in savings less loans of our parishes and schools. • Committees of the Diocesan Finance Council including lay expert members and priest
members that meet regularly to advise Bishop Kopacz and provide oversight include the Budget Committee, Investment Committee, Audit Committee, Deposit and Loans Rate Committee, Compliance Committee, Cathedraticum Committee and the newly formed Revenue Committee. • Internal audits of parishes began in July 2022 by two external local CPA firms. As of Dec. 31, 2022, there were 14 audits completed, reports issues, and responses received. Areas of improvement noted and agreed upon include proper signatures on bank accounts, documentation for projects, collections, and all transactions, establishing written procedures, improved approval workflows, and transparency regarding financial status to parishioners. • Assets including Diocesan houses were sold and the proceeds used to make needed improvements to the Chancery office building. • Collaboration with Catholic Charities to help streamline their accounting processes. • Continued improvement within the Diocesan medical benefits program with RETA Trust. • Strong working relationship with external audit firm and report issued without exceptions. Questions regarding diocesan finances may be sent to Carolyn Callahan, Director, Department of Temporal Affairs via email to Cathy Pendleton at cathy.pendleton@jacksondiocese.org.