A headache . . . to maintain property, pay for it, insure it, protect it. It can become all consuming. No wonder the followers of Jesus have usually been suspicious of it!
Then again, a blessing . . . if we use our buildings and properties to praise God, teach, serve, house, feed, heal and welcome.
We haven’t a lot of cash in the coffers of the archdiocese. As the annual reports we publish show, we just about break even.
But, we do have some property. Most of it is used as Jesus would want . . .for prayer, education, feeding, shelter, healing, welcoming, and serving.
So, property is a mixed blessing, as most of creation is. Our current planning process is an attempt to make sure that our property is a gift for God’s glory and the service of His people, not a curse.
Three concerns have surfaced.
For one, some parishes which no longer need all their property live off its rental, lease, or revenue from the sale. While alternate uses of buildings can be constructive and appropriate, we have to be careful. A good rule of stewardship is that a parish should be able to support itself from the offerings of the people. It is not the best when a parish depends upon income from its property. I am surprised at how many parishes, even in rather affluent areas, could not support themselves without rental income, because the offerings of the people are not sufficient.
Two, it seems just, if the intent of the original donors is to be honored, that revenue from sold, leased, or rental property would go in large part to fund the ministry for which the building was put up, not just for operating expenses. I am grateful to so many of our pastors and parishes who are already doing this, for instance, in our regional schools. When a parish sees its school building close, with its school merged into a nearby regional school, and when that parish then has a new revenue source in the rental of its former school building, the vast majority of these wonderful parishes see that up to 50% of that income goes to Catholic schools. That’s a grand example of what I mean. And, likewise, we have a particular law in the archdiocese, a custom that has been followed for three decades, that a parish share its significant rental/lease/or sale revenue, or even a large bequest, with the wider archdiocesan Church, so that all might benefit. That’s fair; that’s catholic.
We in the archdiocese must set a good example in this regard. So, for instance, when we just sold St. Agnes High School, we did not use it for operating expenses, but, because it initially housed a high school seminary, we placed it in an endowment for St. Joseph’s Seminary. That’s using revenue as it was intended.
Finally, number three, it’s time to take a good look at the services taking place in our rented buildings, to make sure they are allied to the mission of the Church, and that we use them, where possible and proper, for evangelization.
For example, if a parish rents out its unused space to, say, a pre-school, one might ask why the parish does not run it as a “Catholic pre-school,” or day care center. Apparently, the endeavor is paying its way, or, even making money, since they can afford the rental. Why don’t we run it? The Church sure “rose to the occasion” in the past and ran a myriad of services and apostolates. If a parish lacked the wherewithal to administer the program, why not make it part of the contract that the parish would offer daily religious instruction from trained catechists – – who could be paid from the rental income – – to parents who so desire it for their children?
A wise pastor told me of the approach he took to the public school which rented his former school structure. He gradually let it be known that an after-school program of catechesis was available for Catholic children (or any child whose parents sought admission) in the school building – – which, after all, the parish owns! After a year he had dozens of children in attendance, who otherwise would not be receiving religious education. Bravo!
Never would we pass up an opportunity to evangelize, especially when the people are there, in our own buildings.
Another pastor told me of the senior citizen program, funded by the city, which rented his hall. He got to know the people who came, and, before long, offered them the chance to come to Mass, periodic devotions, confessions, and the anointing of the sick. Well done!
Our buildings were dedicated to “the greater honor and glory of God.” We need to try our best to keep them that way! They’re not “oil wells” just to give us income – – although we sure need it and appreciate it – – but always vehicles of God’s message and invitation.