The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Today, dear sisters and brothers, we mark a pair of endings and beginnings: with the feast of Christ the King, we celebrate the last Sunday of our liturgical year.  Next weekend, recovering from our national day of thanksgiving and football, we will begin our new year on the First Sunday of Advent, a new year which will circle us around through the mysteries of the life of Christ, to be sure, but as much or more, will open up for us a new series of revelations about the mysteries of our own lives as we face new joys and hopes, new sorrows and losses.

Today, too, we celebrate the closing of the extraordinary year of mercy during which our Mother Church—and Father Francis—have reminded us of the core reality of our relationship with the Almighty: that we are children of a merciful, humble God, sisters and brothers united in the divine mercy we have all shared.

This feast of Christ the king might feel strange to us, accustomed as we are to living in a democratic republic. We pulled down, overthrew King George III’s statue in New York in 1776, and haven’t looked back, though many are fascinated these days by looking up at certain gilded tower on 5^th Avenue of that same city. The kingship of Christ that we celebrate today is just one more head-over-heels reversal of the logic of the world that the life of Jesus teaches us by showing us. Jesus wasn’t born in Buckingham Palace, but in a stable. He didn’t rule in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican or the Kremlin, but in the hearts of a dusty, motley crew who followed him through nowhere towns and villages hanging on his words. He didn’t live in Trump Tower, or the White House; the son of God lived and died a poor man who had one great treasure to share: the treasure of God’s mercy.

We see that clearly, profoundly, simply in today’s gospel. Abandoned by those who had followed him, they stood far off and watched the spectacle of Calvary; mocked by those in power who feared his message of compassion, they taunted him to “Save yourself.” In response, Jesus opened his broken heart to the repentant thief dying next to him with words of sweetest promise: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”          

If we want to understand the lesson of the year of mercy, we have to look no farther than here: to the exaltation of the King of glory, lifted up high on the cross, crowned with thorns, not gold.

We need only hear his last tender words: “today you will be with me.” He doesn’t smite those who mock him: he prayed “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

So how do we respond?  We have only to open our hearts to the mercy of God poured out from Jesus’ side upon us on the cross, and then open our own hearts to share the mercy we have received with those who need it as much as we do. This stream of mercy flowing from our dying king’s side is an endless, life-giving river, flowing from him, into us, into our church, into our world; through us, through our church, giving life to our world, giving us hope.

For why? We know our God is good,
God’s mercy is for ever sure;
God’s truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure.  Amen.

Fr. Tom Lucas, S.J.

Finance Council Presentation

I. Introduction

Thank you Father Tom. 

Before I begin, Thank you all for your commitment to Christ our Hope.  If it wasn’t for the generosity of everyone in this parish, we would not be where we are today.

Also, I was told by Father Paul I have a maximum of 5 minutes, so I can promise this is going to be quick! 

My name is Adam Janicki and I’ve been on the finance committee for 6 years, and have served as the chair of the finance committee since 2015. I work with a great team on this committee with Kimberly, Austin and Dick Vacca.

The Annual report had been previously distributed, so I will not spend too much time on it, but rather discuss how we as a parish have used the Church’s funds. 

II.What we’ve accomplished

It’s been 6 years since we’ve opened our doors, and in that time we’ve seen a tremendous growth in all aspects of our Parish.  We’ve created a vibrant Catholic community in the heart of downtown Seattle, for us the parishioners, our friends and guests

.In the beginning, we were able to get everything accomplished with the determination and commitment of our volunteers, noting all lay positions in the parish were entirely volunteer-based.

However, as we’ve grown up in our space at Christ our Hope in the Josephinum, so has the complexity of the parish, and the needs of the parish community for which we serve. 

We rent this space from the Josephinum, both the Church as well as the pastoral center.  This space originally was originally subsidized by the Archdiocese as we were a new parish.  Additionally, the Archdiocese subsidized Father's salary and benefits.  Our weekly budget in the bulletin of $5,000 represents the amount net of the subsidies.

We are now not receiving any subsidies, so we will be increasing our weekly budget in the bulletin.

Additionally, one highlight from the annual report is that if we only sum our Sunday collections, it would not cover all of the costs of the parish.  However, due to the generosity of our parishioners, through other donations, our ACA fundraising, and our visitors, we have not only broken even, but continue to thrive as a parish.

III.So where we are now?

We added roles in the pastoral center to compliment Father and to be responsive to our parishioner needs and requests. We’ve ensured that we can have excellent musicians at all masses, whose performances ignite our mass. We’ve pursued multiple ACA projects, and have ambitious other projects in the works.  (i.e. Fireplace and totem pole, the Disciples, finishing Phase II of the construction) (now, Sidewalk improvement, lobby lighting, HVAC system)

But most importantly, we are continued to be focused and dedicated in expanding our outreach ministries in downtown Seattle to provide more to the most at need population for which we serve.  Father’s Paul’s vision is to continue expanding this ministry and in 2017, we have allocated 5% of our Sunday collections, up from 2.5% to be designated to our outreach ministry. 

However, our initial growth is leveling off and we are seeing a plateau in our Sunday collections.  Additionally, we’ve experienced some turnover in our parish staff this year, but we remain ambitious and committed in seeing our parish continue to thrive.

IV.So What’s next

We’ve come a long way! From an all volunteer parish, to where we are today.  Thanks to all of you who have already turned in their stewardship cards.  If you haven’t, please take some time and prayerfully consider a pledge for this next fiscal year.  No matter what amount you can commit to at this time, we want to continue to expand our ministries in downtown. 

For those who give online, or plan to switch to online giving, we have switched to a new online giving platform through the COH website.  The new online donation tool, will enable parishioners better access to their giving, giving history, as well as provide the parish better reporting.  If you’ve previously committed to an online donation in the past, you will need to go back onto the COH website to create a new profile and gift. 

Thank you for your time and for your stewardship of Treasure, so that we can all continue to serve as the Light of Christ in Downtown Seattle.  I’ll be in the back after mass if you have any questions on the annual report.

Adam Janicki, Finance Council Chair