Welcome to The Church of Saint Paul

Hamilton and Wenham

SEVENFOLD Offertory Program

· Thank you to all our parishioners to date who have renewed or joined in SEVENFOLD to support our parish.

· Sevenfold allows the parish to help meet its operational expenses and all its fiduciary responsibilities incumbent on a parish today during these difficult times.

· We especially invite our new families and parishioners who have not participated in the past to consider supporting their parish through SEVENFOLD.

· Please prayerfully reflect on the role that St. Paul’s has in your life and give thoughtful consideration to how you can support the parish this year.

· Consider choosing your donation to be given online (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually) through WeShare, our automated and secure electronic banking service. Another option for added convenience, you can scan the QR code (left) to make payments via Givebutter, a giving platform that accepts Credit Cards, Venmo, PayPal and ApplePay.

· You may return your Commitment Card to the rectory by mail, drop-off or the Sunday Offertory Collections. Or, if you rather and even more convenient, call Lucy at the Parish Office to start, continue, or increase your commitment.

· If you are in need of a SEVENFOLD packet which contains a Commitment Card, you can find them available at the doorways of the church.

· Let us TOGETHER make SEVENFOLD a great success for the parish. THANK YOU.

Pertinent Excerpts from the report from Parish Finance Council

to Parishioners at Masses on September 25/26 concerning SEVENFOLD:

· To date, we have already received commitments from 76 families. If you have not participated in the past or this program is new to you, we ask that you consider prayerfully your participation in this vital program.

· It takes approximately $400,000 annually to fund parish expenses, which includes a large subsidy for our religious education program. Sevenfold and other offertory support covers approximately $275,000 of these expenses, or just under 70%. The Grand Annual and religious education fees cover most of the remainder. The Parish is well run, has good cash reserves and no debt.

· The fiscal year ended June 30^th of this year was a challenging one for the parish. Despite the temporary suspension of Masses last spring and the slow resumption of in-person attendance, offertory support remained strong, and we ended the year in the black. The parish received support from the Payroll Protection Program which helped to offset the decline in religious education fees. Last year the parish reduced its expenses by more than 15%. It is important for you to know that the parish did not spend money outside of normal maintenance on building and grounds. This is not a sustainable practice long term.

· As we go forward, the pastoral, charitable, and evangelical goals of the parish continue despite the ongoing uncertainty caused by the pandemic. This year more than ever we request your ongoing support through the Sevenfold program.

· Most of you have received at the beginning of September a mailing from the parish that outlines the Sevenfold Program, as well as a pledge enrollment form and giving options. The parish offers and encourages your participation through the WeShare program which is the parish’s online giving program that many of you already utilize. Nearly half of parish families participating in Sevenfold use WeShare and find it a safe, convenient, and easy-to-use program for offertory participation. You can also mail your contribution to the parish and/or place in the Offertory basket. The parish participates in the Givebutter program which allows you to fund your support through Venmo, ApplePay, or PayPal. All that is required is to scan the QR code that is in the letter you received and follow the instructions. The code is also available at the entrances to the Church. Lastly, if easier for you, simply call Lucy at the parish office who can assist with any of the above options.

· If you need a Sevenfold packet with a commitment card for your pledge, please call the parish office. Or you may find one in the red envelope on the table at the Church entrances.

To conclude, thank you for your support of this year’s Sevenfold Program here at the Church of Saint Paul. Our financial stewardship will allow the parish to continue its fine work during its second one hundred years. We are grateful for your participation and thank you for your time today.

Thank you to those who have already responded so generously

to support your parish at this most unique and difficult time.

Dear Parishioners,

Hope you are well. My prayers and thoughts remain for all of you.

As you know by now the dispensation from attending Mass on Sunday has been lifted suspended) as the effects of the virus have substantially receded. The Archbishop of Boston gave us this dispensation in March 2020 out of an abundance of caution.

Please take a moment now to listen to our invitation on returning to Mass:
Cardinal Seán O’Malley: Welcome Home Message on Vimeo

We are here for you.