Annual Report 1999
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A Stewardship Parish
St. Ignatius Parish operates in the spirit of Christian stewardship. What does this mean? As Christian stewards, we accept that all we have -- our time, talents and treasure -- are God's gifts to us. Being a good steward is sharing your gifts with others. It is appreciating the gifts of others. It is using your gifts t o serve God. It is giving thanks to God through prayer, worship, offering and action. As a parish and as individuals, we demonstrate our role as stewards in our community in many ways. Here are just a few examples from the past year. Reaching Out to Others In 1998, St. Ignatius Parish made a commitment to exemplify good stewardship by giving a percentage of parish income to organizations which serve the poor and promote social justice. Last year, $28,355 (5% of undesignated revenue) was given to 27 organizations including Bread for the World, Central City Hospitality House, Christmas in April, Diocese of La Paz, Dolores Mission School, Holy Family Day Home, Haight Ashbury Food Progra m, Honduras Hurricane Relief and Together in the Mission of Education. The largest recipient of funding is the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society. This year, the parish will share 6% of its undesignated revenue. In addition to providing financial support, parishioners at St. Ignatius are willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work! In October 1998, 70 volunteers pitched in to build a house in the Mission district for Habitat for Humanity. In April, 60 p arishioners helped renovate St. Joseph's Village for Christmas in April. Last winter, more than 200 people provided 1,600 dinners over 21 nights for the Interfaith Emergency Shelter Program. To coordinate the activities of the Social Ministries Program, the Social Ministries Advisory & Action Committee (SMAAC) was formed. Working with the Director of Social Ministries, the goal is to provide a program which combines direct service, ed ucation and advocacy. Last October, many parishioners enjoyed the Stewardship Committee's first-ever Ministry Faire, which provided a one-stop shop of ways to get involved in the parish and the community. Giving Thanks through Prayer & Worship Prayer and worship are the foundations of all that we do at St. Ignatius. To continue the tradition of high quality liturgies, the parish welcomed its first full-time Director of Liturgy and Music, Kim Armbruster. Kim brings many years experience to thi s role and, working with the Worship Commission, looks forward to exploring ways to further enhance our liturgies and sacraments. |
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Forming the Faith of Children & Adults
Last year, the Children's Faith Formation program exploded with participation and energy. The CFF program has doubled in just two years, with more than 170 students, including 47 in the confirmation class. A preschool program was also launched. In addi tion, 30-40 children met each week during the 9:30 Mass for Children's Liturgy of the Word. St. Ignatius offered numerous programs for the continuing formation of adults, as well. Bible studies, retreats, and small faith communities provided opportunities for learning and spiritual renewal. For example, up to 100 people gathered each week to hear Fr. Tom Weston, S.J., as part of the RENEW program. Building a Strong Parish Community Developing good relationships with others is an important part of being a good steward. This is especially true in our parish community. St. Ignatius continues to grow with nearly 1,600 registered households -- 281 households joined the parish last year. Parishioners come from all over the city and the Bay Area. 87% live in San Francisco, but only 26% are from this neighborhood. More than 200 families come from outside San Francisco. Dozens of parishioners assisted the Welcoming and Hospitality Committee throughout the year to plan activities to encourage parishioners to get to know each other better. Weekly hospitalities, the Parish Picnic, and special gatherings at Christmas and Easter are just a few examples. In addition, a number of parishioners arrive a bit early each Sunday to welcome parishioners and visitors alike as they come to Mass.
Notes from the Finance Committee:
Much of this support comes through parishioners' annual commitment to St. Ignatius --
440 parishioners made a written financial commitment to the parish last year.
By making a conscious decision about the amount they will give to St. Ignatius,
participants demonstrate that supporting their parish is a priority.
This year, we hope 500 families will make a commitment.
In this year's budget you will notice a new income category, "Investment Income."
These investments came from three sources: funds remaining from the restoration project,
larger unrestricted gifts,
and the Jesuit Community's $1 million gift to endow the Social Ministries Program.
The parish's investment committee and parish staff have spent several months developing
a socially responsible investment policy and interviewing potential money managers.
The policy will provide guidelines to our money manager to seek investment
opportunities which promote social and economic justice, life and human dignity in a
manner that is consistent with the overall vision and mission of the parish.
In the expenses, you will notice a category, "Archbishop's Annual Appeal."
This is the amount of our annual assessment that was not received from our parishioners
during the AAA Campaign.
This year our assessment is $90,000, of which we have collected $82,000 in gifts and pledges.
We are budgeting $10,000 to be paid out at year end to cover the balance and any unfulfilled
pledges.
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