A Message to the Congregation from Father Loecke

March 10th, 2024

First, I want to thank, once again, the parish staff and Fr. Cosgrove for doing such a good job in taking care of matters while I was ill last week. February was a rough month for me starting February 5th. I thought I was feeling better, but my system was weakened, which resulted in contracting bronchitis and walking pneumonia. I hope this is the end of being ill.

Second, I would like to tell you about a conversation I had in December 2022 with Archbishop Jackels. When the Archbishop was here for the 100th year anniversary of St. Matthew I talked to him about the possibility of a sabbatical, which is typical for priests. I told him that I was getting to the point of exhaustion; mentally, physically, and spiritually.

As I have tried in all of my assignments, I have put my whole heart and soul into being the pastor of St. Matthew. When Archbishop Jackels asked me to take St. Matthew, he did not know a lot about the parish. I did express to him my concerns about the rapid turnover in pastors, but he assured me that it was a good parish. So, in faith, I accepted his request.

When I arrived in 2020, we were in the midst of Covid, and one month later the derecho hit. Moving and trying to get adjusted to a new assignment during those days was not easy. Furthermore, I began to realize the parish had some serious problems financially that needed to be addressed. Additionally, people wanted to start building the school cafeteria. This was a lot to deal with all at once.

To address the financial crisis, we made significant cuts in personnel we could no longer afford. Other expenses were cut as well to stop the bleeding. Thanks to the parish’s frugality, and PPP funds, we were able to pay off the $500,000 debt to the capital campaign, funds that were being used to pay operating expenses. At the end of the first year, we had a budget appeal and were able to operate in the black for the first time in many years, thanks to your generosity and trust. As I told you when I arrived, I would never ask for things that we don't need.

Over the last three years, we have been able to clean up the budget confusion and create a budget that is coherent, clear, and solid. Today, we know exactly where we are financially. By reworking the finance council, and with the help of our competent bookkeeper, the monthly reports are carefully reviewed and monitored. The finance council has been a tremendous help to me in cleaning up parish finances.

We also began a pastoral planning initiative shortly after I arrived to figure out what the parish needed and where we should go to remain a life-giving and viable parish. That process took about six months and resulted in establishing three main goals, with the capital campaign being the top priority. Shortly after the planning process ended, with the help of Deacon Rich, we conducted a thorough study of the physical plant to make sure the campaign addressed all matters of delayed maintenance. Once we had that information in hand we were able to move forward to raise the funds necessary to do the maintenance work, enliven the inside of the church, and make plans for the much-needed school cafeteria and commons area for the parish and the school. We have had much success with the campaign efforts. Most people did not believe we would ever reach our goal. Without a doubt, there were days when I too began to doubt the ability to raise this amount of money. But I also believed and trusted in God that if He wanted this to happen it would. Now look at where we are nearly three years later.

Why am I telling you this? Well, it has become clear to me that if I am going to be able to offer the best possible care to you for the next nine years, I need time to re-energize and renew a tired spirit. With the Archbishop’s approval, in early 2023 I submitted a sabbatical grant proposal to the Eli Lilly Foundation. The foundation provides grant money to clergy and parishes for renewal programs. The grant proposal is in two parts; the first part addresses the needs of the parish, and the second part deals with the needs of the individual priest. In the parish section, I asked for money to help with the Befriender program, which is a pastoral ministry that connects trained volunteers with our homebound and other groups. We also asked for money to begin a MOMS program which is a wonderful opportunity for moms of all ages to come together, prayerfully and socially, to support each other in this important vocation. I included a few other things as well but these two programs are a priority for us in helping the faithful live their baptismal call to holiness of life.

For my section of the grant, I asked for money to undertake the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. This is a 30-day silent retreat to take time to examine one's life and relationship with God. Sometimes life becomes so busy that the spiritual life suffers. I also asked for money to audit classes at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC. The grant money additionally includes time for things related to personal enrichment, so I included taking some cooking classes and time with priest friends that I don't see all that often.

I am excited to tell you that the grant proposal I wrote was accepted. The grant covers most everything financially, so there is little to no cost for the parish, which is important to me. I asked for four months from Archbishop Jackels which he readily granted before he retired. The plan is that I will be gone from mid-July and return the week before Thanksgiving of this year, which is approximately four months, and that during that time Fr. Cosgrove will cover for me and Deacon Rich will be named as parish administrator.

I believe this will be a good experience for both the parish and I. I feel all I have done since I got here is ask for money. You have been so gracious to me and have given me everything I have asked for to get the parish turned around and redirected. However, asking for money is very difficult to do with much frequency. The time away will be good for me so that I can refill the tank. The time will allow me to hopefully become an even better person and a better priest in my service to you, the parishioners.