Saint Matthias the Apostle Catholic Church
Annual Report from the Pastor to the Parish
Fiscal Year 2022
Greetings and peace. It is a pleasure to present to you the Annual Report from the Pastor for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.
I would like to begin with the good news that FY 2022 was significantly stronger from a financial standpoint than fiscal year 2021. Both the parish and the school continue to move toward greater financial stability through the generosity of all of you the parishioners. Additionally, the school’s development of additional revenue streams through government grants and tuition support, as well as private agencies, has encouraged increased enrollment, resulting in a year that ended with a surplus, for the first time in recent memory.
Thank you all also for your unflagging support of the Capital Campaign. Thanks to your generosity, the HVAC system in the rectory and the church have been upgraded. Additionally, the academy school and Hughes Center now have a much-needed new flat roof. At the time of this writing, we have received about 98% of our total pledged amount, and we will look afresh at our next capital project in the Spring 2023. A summation of Capital Campaign revenue and expense is available on the parish website.
The school made a strong recovery from the remote and hybrid learning model required by pandemic restrictions. Enrollment increased by 21%, and that trend has continued into the current school year, which now has a student population of 194. The 2022 student retention rate neared 90%. Likewise, faculty retention has remained strong, and the school is close to fully staffed. Through the efforts of student fundraising and funding from the State of Maryland, the children now have new playground equipment and improved drainage on the athletic field, which allows us to expand our physical education and after-school programs.
On the sacramental front, Mass attendance is slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels. Our Monday evening adoration attendance and confessions also have made a significant comeback. We welcome your presence at Mass, adoration and confessions each week and encourage your participation in the life and ministries of the church and the school. Together we continue to build the Kingdom of Heaven and the civilization of love in season and out of season.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Avelino