This summary of my announcement at all Masses last weekend is especially for those who could not hear the livestream or may have been away.

I am speaking to everyone at all the Masses this weekend to share some wonderful news! I am extremely delighted to report that we paid off the church building loan completely a week ago on September 27th. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Our Parish has come a very long way. We accomplished a lot together since July 2000 when the diocese established Saint Clare of Assisi Parish. We have grown a lot and worked hard. We had several capital campaigns to build our new church. And we moved in on Christmas 2008.

The total budget in 2009 was about $10,450,000. In January 2016 we refinanced our loan. Our balance was down to $3.125 million. Three years later, January 2019 our balance was down to $1.8 million. One year after that, January 2020, we were down to $1,399,175 million.

We set a goal to pay it off completely before construction of the new Parish Activities Center. Can you believe that you have contributed $1.4 million in 20 months? I too am in awe of all that you have accomplished. Congratulate yourselves dear parishioners – you did that.

We reach our goal 4 ½ years sooner than the 2016 loan term. (It was March 2026)

I thank everyone who helped us pay off the church loan. Because of your generosity, we were able to make several large pre-payments on the principal. By doing that, we saved $286,000 in interest charges.

When we started the campaign for the Activities Center, I said that we would not carry two mortgages. Now the church building is clear. You own it, not the bank. We should have our permit to begin construction of the Activities Center – soon. I invite all of you to attend the Groundbreaking for the Activities Center on Sunday, November 21 at 2:00PM. It will be a very exiting day.

We thank Almighty God for his wonderful blessings to us and for the generosity of our people. I also especially thank our Finance Council for the wonderful advice they gave me and work that they did to keep the momentum going and pay off the loan early. I ask for your continued prayers for the needs of our people.

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