From the Pastor’s Desk

 

Dear Parishioners,

I trust this note will find you well and in good spirit. The purpose of this note is to share with you the many ways this pandemic of Covid-19 has negatively effected the network of services that the diocese was able to afford due to your generosity to the Diocese Annual Catholic Appeal through the Parish of St. Jerome.   I am very grateful to you for honoring your pledge, for your faithfulness and continued support to the parish of St. Jerome and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn especially during this unprecedented time.   I take this opportunity to outline below some of the critical network services provided by the Diocese which are funded from donations received from generous parishioners like you. Upon reviewing the list below, you will see how the funds were applied since Our Annual Catholic Appeal’s network of services must be flexible in this unprecedented time.

  •      We now serve over 100,000 meals daily across our Diocese in response to the 300% increase in demand.
  •      Over 120 parishes offer daily livestream coverage of Mass and 144 parishes communicate daily with parishioners using social media.
  •      Our educators were required to quickly implement innovative distance learning tools. They remain committed to forming the hearts and minds of our Catholic youth.
  •      We have 30 hospital chaplains currently deployed across our boroughs consoling the sick and most vulnerable.
  •      And of course, our devoted clergy, who remain at the front line of this pandemic. They continue to enrich our lives spiritually and have partnered with our network of support services to address the local needs across our Diocese.

 

As you are aware, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that this pandemic will not go away anytime soon.  Consequently, we anticipate we will need to maintain this response to meet the growing demand for support for our brothers and sisters in Christ. As a result, your partnership is critical as we navigate this situation. Our mission remains the same.

 

As a committed parishioner, friend, and Catholic, we need your support to uphold our mission. I am grateful to the 98 people who have made a generous commitment to the 2020 Annual Catholic Appeal. This unwavering support has allowed us to reach $25,593.00 of our $44,916.00 Parish 2020 Goal.  We are only $19,323.00 away from our goal.  So today, I humbly seek your help in assisting the parish to cover this difference of  $19,323.00 which will become the parish of St. Jerome financial responsibility if our goal is not met. I thank you in advance for your understanding and prompt cooperation in avoiding additional financial burden to the parish while serving our sisters and brothers in Christ with love and dignity through The Annual Catholic Appeal.

 

Let us continue to pray to our Lord Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother Mary for an end to this pandemic.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father Jean Yvon Pierre

Pastor