A parish finance council was appointed two years ago to help the parish priest manage our financial affairs. The council consists of Fr Michael Porter, Rita Devine, Johnny Dooher, Brian Conway, John McCosker and myself, Nichola Hegarty.

I am talking to you today because we are looking for a plan of how we are going to take the parish forward in the future. Leckpatrick has enjoyed tremendous financial support for Church restoration projects in recent years and is extremely thankful for that support. The structure and fabric of the buildings are in excellent condition. The parish accounts had been balanced following completion of that work, but recent years have shown a deteriorating financial position with a steeply increasing deficit.

We have recently been provided with a summary of the parish financial accounts and you would have seen for yourselves, how over the last few years the parish has struggled to break even. The overall deficit last year was just under £19,000 while for the previous year it had been almost £14,000 – representing a £33,000 loss for the parish over two years. This situation has forced the parish to obtain an overdraft, just to pay the monthly bills.

A significant number of people no longer have any involvement in the life of the parish and as a result do not contribute. The numbers attending mass are down dramatically and this is reflected in the weekly collection which in 2010 averaged £1540. The parish would need a weekly income of £2,500 to cover current costs. I realise I am speaking mostly to Parishioners who are doing their best to support the parish financially but this is not sustainable in the long term. In previous years the parish savings scheme had provided over £10,000 in interest payments to help the parish funds, but this source of income has gone for the foreseeable future.

Thus our financial position has become critical in recent years and action needs to be taken as soon as possible to address how we can make up the shortfall. The inescapable conclusion is that parish funds need to be increased in the short and longer term. As envelope collections are the only current source of income to the parish, we may need to look at other ideas. That is where everyone’s views and involvement are essential. At the outset I mentioned the need for a plan for the parish going into the future and to that end we are inviting everyone to a meeting in the Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday 24th May at 7.30pm where ideas, options and a way forward can be agreed. Our parents and grandparents left us a legacy of a strong parish rooted in the community and it is our responsibility to ensure that this legacy is maintained and survives for our children and grandchildren. I would encourage everyone to come to the meeting and let your voice be heard. Thank you.