My friends...

To members of the Cunneen family of clients:

“One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency” Arnold Glasgow

If you are receiving this newsletter you are a leader; a leader of a parish, finance council, development office, stewardship department or an entire diocese. Leadership in a faith based (Catholic)organization during these extraordinarily complicated times is difficult. Employees, parishioners, volunteers, peers, and colleagues look to you for guidance, instruction, comfort and inspiration. You are expected to have the right answer, to chart the proper course of action, and to assure those around you that everything will be fine.

“Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time." Oswald Chambers

Like you, I have this deliberate confidence. I have faith that God will show me the way that He will guide my hand and my actions.

In the coming months we will all be challenged to make difficult decisions about the organizations we lead. Raising money, increasing weekly giving, introducing electronic giving, conducting capital campaigns are not easy things to do when the economy is suffering or when your parishioners are feeling insecure about their jobs, homes and financial security.

However, as leaders we must lead! We must “recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency”. Now more than ever, Catholic parishes must address their regular, electronic, and capital giving. A weak economy does not correlate with a parish’s expenses or capital needs. The electric bill will not be reduced, fuel costs will remain high, the snow must be ploughed, the leak in the roof has to be repaired, and the insurance premiums must be paid. It isn’t easy but it is necessary.

Twenty-eight years of service to the Catholic Church assures us that parishioners will respond. In good times and bad, the generosity of the faithful never fails to meet the needs of our Church. Please know that The Cunneen Company remains committed to assisting your parish or diocese.

Our offertory enhancement, electronic giving and capital campaign programs are obtaining meaningful and lasting results. Offertory enhancement appeals conducted in September and October of this year have seen an average increase of 23%. It is comforting to witness the “deliberate confidence” of the tens of thousands of Catholics who supported their parishes over these difficult weeks. We are heartened by their response.

As always, thank you for your time, consideration and for granting us the privilege to serve your parish or diocese.

Sincerely,

John Cunneen