THIS IS GOOD NEWS!

March 3, 2020

Reverend Noah A. Waldman
Saint Martin of Tours Parish
610 West Ripa Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63125-2524

Dear Father Waldman,

I have great news to share with you. I have accepted the recommendations of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and will award an Ensuring Parish Viability grant of $ 15,000 to your parish to repair leaks and to paint the church interior. Congratulations on receiving the grant.

Funds for the grant will be provided in a maximum of two installments. Please provide a copy of invoice(s) or contract(s) indicating that the project is underway to Mr. Dave Sida, Senior Director of Operations, at [email protected]. He will ensure that the funds are transferred promptly.

Parishes receiving a grant from Ensuring Parish Viability are required to have an active stewardship ministry and to meet with Mr. Dave Baranowski, Director of Parish Stewardship and Leadership Formation. This meeting will help Mr. Baranowski to document your existing stewardship efforts and to perhaps suggest some new ideas. Please call Mr. Baranowski at 314.792.7215. Eligibility for future grants is dependent upon meeting these requirements.

Additionally, if the cost of the proposed project is more than 3% of the parish's operating budget, it is important that you receive my written permission to proceed with the project. If you have not yet received approval, please contact Mr. Randy Rathert of the Office of Building and Real Estate for assistance in this matter. Approval of this grant does not consist of approval for the overall project.

The Church of St. Louis has been blessed by the generosity of so many Catholics. I ask that you continue to encourage your parishioners to embrace stewardship as a way of life. Please publish an announcement of this grant to your parishioners. Please thank them as well. It is their commitment to their parish and participation in efforts such as Returning God's Gifts and the Annual Catholic Appeal that makes these grants and so many others available to help people and parishes in need.

Please share this letter with your parish leadership as appropriate. If you have any questions regarding the conditions and disbursement of your parish's grant, please call Mr. Brian Niebrugge at 314.792.7681.

May God continue to bless you and your parish family.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Archbishop of St. Louis

Copy: Mr. Brian Niebrugge Mr. Dave Baranowski