2009 frc ministerial report

8/9/2019 2009 FRC Ministerial Report

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FRANCISCAN RENEWAL CENTERCasa de Paz y Bien

2009 MINISTERIAL REPORT


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All are welcome.On behalf of the Franciscan friars, staff, Board of Directors and all who participate,we invite you to seek and experience Gods love and generosity through our peacefulenvironment.

We are Called to LoveFranciscan spirituality manifests itself in our response to love God, others and all creation.

We welcome all to share in:

LearningPrayerful Celebration

Contemplation

HealingSocial ActionHospitality

The Tau Cross is a symbol of Franciscan Spirituality and a reminder of ourWelcoming Franciscan Community.

The Casa Mission

Established in 1951, as a place of peace for retreat, the Franciscan Renewal Center, commonly referred to as the Casafosters a spirit of renewal and a place for people to meet the Creator as we travel our spiritual journey in relationship with Godand one another. Here, people come to discover or deepen their inner peace through solitude, communal worship in thecompanionship of others, sharing in faith, in pain, in life and in talent. For many it is their spiritual home.

The Casa provides a place for all people to find peace and experience Gods generosity through liturgical events and services,retreats, workshops, classes, conferences, counseling and social justice outreach. Others find solitude and oneness with Godby praying in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, enjoying a desert pathway, walking the labyrinth, resting in one of the desertramadas or reflecting on life in the healing garden. This welcoming environment cultivates unity.

Everything we do, all our ministries, relies heavily on the efforts of our friar and lay staff, financial resource growth and our hostof willing volunteers. This collaborative energy personifies love in action.


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There is a lure about the desert, that conglomeration of sand and cactus and quiet. It draws us towards itself, leaves ushushed and thoughtful. This lure of the desert has always had something to do with the doings of God with people. We feelthat the God who made us has put into our hearts this lure for the desert. This sentiment is as true today as when it was writ-ten in 1952 by a friar visiting the Casa from Canada.

A Gallup poll reported that 82% of Americans feel the need to experience spiritual growth. The Casas peaceful campus

provides a spiritual oasis for those seeking deeper knowledge and a more intimate relationship with God. Our guestscontinue to evaluate us favorably in all areas, validating our quality services.

As a community we are blessed with people who serve the Casa through countless hours of volunteering. The Casas staff offriars and lay people rely on over 600 individuals who serve in all ministries including liturgy, counseling, social justice, andeducational programs. Each of these volunteers and staff bring their special talents to the Casa, enriching the campus andcommunity . The Casas volunteer Board of Directors share the values of St. Francis while working to ensure the Casasfuture stability for generations to come.

During the past year, some highlights for these volunteers include:~ Upgrades to Healing Garden~ 6,700 visits to the sick and homebound

~Served 80 families with over 400 points of contact through the Bereavement Ministry~Baked 2,000 loaves of bread for all liturgies~Volunteer Choir member rehearsals totaling 4,000 hours

For 58 years, the Casa has thrived through the shared gifts of our community making an impact on society. As noted in theCasas financial report details, operations generate nearly 72% of the Casas funding with an additional 21% from fundraisingand 7% from the endowment distribution. As we continue to serve all who come here, we thank you for your generous supportas we look to the future and continue making a positive impact on society with many opportunities for spiritualgrowth and enrichment.

Each of our ministries embrace a call to love. Through a program ofCalled to Love, the Casa engages the entire communityto share the message and life of Christ through liturgy, education, training, support, counseling and community involvement. It

is intended to put our call to love into action and call others to love God and one another. By being Called to Love, thefriars, staff, volunteers and community members actively share and act on Christsmessage of love one another as I have loved you.

In the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare, the staff and communitywelcome you to the Casa.

Fr. Joseph Schwab, OFM Charles Brown Fr. Peter Kirwin, OFMExecutive Director General Manager Rector

The Casa: A Place of Peace


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Counseling MinistryDo not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord , your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

The Counseling Ministry is comprised of more than 20 licensed professional counselors who volunteer their time each week asan outreach to the community. Grounded in the Gospel message of peace and human dignity, the CounselingMinistry has the privilege and responsibility to actively participate in Gods work through those who reach out to us for hopeand care.

The Counseling Ministry provides short-term individual counseling and support groups which help our clients address all man-ner of lifes challenges. During 2008-2009, we provided over 3,500 hours of counseling, both individual and group. There is adonation suggested for our services but no one is turned away due to lack of funds.

Liturgical WorshipGlorify the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together. Psalms 34:4The Casas Conventual Church, Our Lady of the Angels, offers daily worship within the context of a Franciscan community.Over 400 individuals volunteer in our liturgical ministries that include:

~Catholics Can Come Home ~Ministry for the Sick & Homebound~Newcomers Ministry ~Cantor and Choir Ministries~Family Catechesis ~Hospitality(home schooling based religious education) ~The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

~Childrens Celebration ~Ministry of Care & Consolation~Eucharistic Ministry ~Weekday Liturgy of the Word~Infant Baptism Preparation Team ~Danced Prayer and the Dance Ministry

~Eucharistic Bread Baking ~Art and Environment~Lector Ministry ~Spiritual Direction

This year we baptized 33 infants, 6 children and 5 adults. During the year, Our Lady of the Angels had 179 new familiesregister as members for a total of 1,437 households or 2,766 members as of August 31, 2009. The Casa celebrated over 550liturgies in the church seating 310 individuals bringing total attendance of all masses for the entire year toapproximately 93,300.

Educational ProgramsYou shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul with all your mind,and with all your strength. Mark 12:30

The Casas Franciscan vision reads: We are a center for the experience of spiritual growth, which transforms and moves usbeyond ourselves and into the service of others. In the spirit of St. Francis, all our programs are designed to provide thatexperience. Our educational programs, offered year round, improve body, mind and spirit while fostering healing or a spiritualcenter for growth.

Classes, workshops and retreats offer personal exploration of the on-going reality of Gods presence with us and within us.Programs vary as contemplative, holistic, lecture/discussion or experiential and relate to fostering inner peace.

In 2008-09, over 5,500 people participated in classes, workshops and retreats.

Our Ministries


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Faith In ActionWhatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me. Matthew 25:40The Casas Faith In Action ministry seeks to educate and involve the people and resources of the community in service to,advocacy for, and empowerment of one another and the larger community. Individuals in the faith community are invited todiscover where they are called to work. The Faith In Action ministry provides a variety of ways for people to balance the activeand contemplative sides of their lives.

*Support of Casa Franciscana *Valley Interfath Project *Apache Fair Trade CraftsOutreach - Guaymas Mexico *Season for Nonviolence *JustFaith

*Peacemaking Activities *Casa Advocacy Network *Liturgy & Justice Study Group*Interfaith Volunteers *Andre House *VICaP

The Sunday worship community donated $145,217 for third party social concerns this year as well as 325 food boxes,100 blankets, 138 backpacks and sponsored numerous kids through school in Guaymas, Mexico.

Meetings and ConferencesI will lead you into the desert...and there I will speak to your heart. Hosea 2:16

The Franciscan Renewal Center extends its hospitality to local, regional and national non-profit groups whose purposes are inline with the Casas mission. Our meeting rooms accommodate up to 150 with custom set-ups and current technology.Overnight lodging is available for up to 100 guests in comfortable, modest rooms each with a private bath. Our atmosphere ofpeace and spirituality adds a special dimension to gatherings.

The 24 acre campus includes a desert walkway, labyrinth, swimming pool, ramadas, a healing garden and two

chapels for prayer and reflection.

In 2008-09, the Meetings and Conferences ministry welcomed and served 8,325 people.

Participant LevelsDuring fiscal year 2009, the Casa ministries served over 113,300 guests in the following primary ministries:

944

10,62512,121

1,613

4,5536,225

8,325

7021,534

4,883 5,750

13,510

-

2,000

4,0006,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

Retreats Average

Weekly Mass

Attendance

Classes and

Workshops

Counseling Christmas

and Easter

Masses

Hosted Events

MINISTRY

NumberofParticipants

2008

2009


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Operational Results for the Fiscal YearsEnded August 31, 2009 and 2008

Your financial generosity provided for the following support for the ministries, grounds and endowment:

(2) In accordance with the Endowment plan, the Casa received a distribution of four percent (4%) of the three-year rolling average endowment balance foroperational support 2009 and 2008.

(3) Funds for Specified Purposes include fundraising and special gifts for both unrestricted and temporarily restricted uses, in line with either the purpose of thefundraising event or the intent of the donor/estate document.(4) Includes unrestricted gifts of $200,951 from estates.

The Casa maintains all financial records on an accrual basis in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Usingmethods related to non-profit entities, our revenues and expenses are classified as Operational (resulting from the operations of theCasa) or Fundraising (resulting from special events or some specified purposes that are out of the scope of regular, recurringoperations). The net proceeds of our fundraising activities provide for operations, capital improvements or other special needs.

An independent accounting firm performs periodic agreed-upon procedures related to asset integrity and controls and reportsdirectly to the Board of Directors.

Please contact the General Manager or visit www.thecasa.org to review the full financial statements.

St.FrancisFestival-

$5

,020

GolfTournament-

$8

,313

Denim

andDreams-

$31

,765

NovemberDinner-

$52

,684

MinistryAppeal-

$268

,357

SpecificUseGifts(4)-

$294

,363

TotalNet

Fundraisingand

SpecialGifts-

$660

,502

During fiscal 2009, the Casa exceeded its annual net fundraising goal of $350,000.

(1) The Net Fundraising and Special Gifts of $660,502 were received through the following means:

2009 2008

Ministerial Services 1,209,260$ 1,322,826$

Liturgical Contributions 936,822 913,994

Gifts for the Endowment Funds 87,331 36,980

Other Income 41,099 34,732

TOTAL OPERATIONAL SUPPORT 2,274,512$ 2,308,532$

Direct Ministry Support 386,706 365,590

Liturgy and Friar Support 430,508 388,339

General Administration 730,874 765,772

Support Services 895,812 997,620

Property Improvements 196,926 141,238

Additions to the Endowment Funds 87,331 36,980

TOTAL OPERATIONAL EXPENSES 2,728,157$ 2,695,539$

NET OPERATIONAL SHORTFALL (453,645)$ (387,007)$

Net Fundraising and Special Gifts(1)

660,502 520,793

Endowment Fund Distribution(2) 208,992 203,640

FUNDS FOR S PECIFIED PURPOSES(3)

415,849$ 337,426$

From this support, the Casa incurred the following expenses:


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Strategic Initiatives for 2010The Strategic Plan for 2010 through 2014 was developed by the Casa staff through a rigorous process of learning, listeningand discernment. Highlights of the Strategic Plan include:

Develop and execute a comprehensive plan for economic sustainability of the Franciscan Renewal Center.

Increase focus and intentionality around Franciscanism as the thing that bindsour community and allows us to provide the highest value to those we serve.

Develop a 5 year campaign to attract 150 community members to commit toFranciscan Way training to be spiritual companions to other community members.

Create clearer understanding of how social justice and action fit into the Franciscan Way.

Facilitate ease of exposure and movement among ministries and toward the Franciscan Way.

Establish the Franciscan Renewal Center as a model of evangelization in the Southwest.

Establish a partnership with St. Marys to add to our diversity, establish a stronger inner cityconnection and to share resources to create a more visible Franciscan ministry for Phoenix.

We are grateful for your continued generosity ~Your support sustains the Casa.

Thanks to you, we may continue to provide a place of peace for all. Your generous financial support assists us in meetingour financial needs and goals. All the Casas efforts depend on the community. We receive no financial support from theProvince or the Diocese.

As noted in this report, the Casas ministries touch the lives of thousands of people as they enhance their relationshipwith God. As we look to the future together, with Gods involvement, we make all this possible.

We appreciate the governance of our Board of Directors.Tom Simmons, Chair Bob Brown Tim McGuireBernard Rethore, Vice-Chair Charles Brown Fr. Vince Mesi, OFMKevin Gralen, Treasurer Fr. Michael Doherty, OFM Fr. Joe Schwab, OFMAnna Thomasson, Secretary Fr. Peter Kirwin, OFM Carole Whittaker

Chloe Leibowitz

We recognize and thank the dedicated efforts of Kathleen Flanagan, Peter Jordan, and others in the Casa communityfor photographing and donating the beautiful pictures throughout this report. We would like to thank Sandy Keetonfor donating the original artwork used on the cover.

Thank you.May God continue to bless you,

your families and friends withgrace and peace.


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VisionWe are a center for the experience of spiritual growth whichtransforms and moves us beyond ourselves in the service of others.As a Christ-centered community, we embrace the Catholictradition in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, andwe welcome all to share in:

Prayerful Celebration and ContemplationLearning Social Action Healing Hospitality

FRANCISCAN RENEWAL CENTER5802 East Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona 85253

480-948-7460 1-800-356-3247www.thecasa.org

2009 frc ministerial report

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