Sacred Heart Still Overcharged
Fourth Request to Correct Parish School Assessment
SACRED HEART WILKES-BARRE FOUNDATION, INC.
770 Lantern Hill Road
Shavertown, Pennsylvania18708
(570) 696-3169
January 14, 2008
Mr. James Quinn
Diocesan Secretary for Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer
Diocese of Scranton
300 Wyoming Avenue
Scranton, Pennsylvania18503
Subject: Sacred Heart – St. John Parish
Dear Mr. Quinn,
Thank you for your timely response to my letter dated December 28, 2007 and for clarifying some issues regarding the other diocesan assessments. Although your explanations are helpful, there are some remaining discrepancies.
The table below summarizes the financial information for our parish as published by our parish and the diocese for the same fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. There are discrepancies in the amounts listed for the Parish Revenues and School Subsidy Paid. Of particular concern is the discrepancy in the School Subsidy Paid, since our School Subsidy Assessment for 2007 – 2008 is directly related to the amount paid in the 2005 – 2006 base year, due to the $50,000 cap.
As shown, the School Subsidy Payment total ($270,580) in your letter dated January 4, 2008 agrees with the amount in the Financial Statement published by our parish ($270,580). However the School Subsidy Payment of ($282,144) as published in The Catholic Light was used in calculating our 2007-2008 Parish School Assessment.
This issue of a discrepancy has been raised in the following correspondence:
September 16, 2007 Letter to Quinn
November 17, 2007 Letter to Sempa and Finance Committee (CC to Quinn)
November 23, 2007 Letter to Quinn
In response, you advised that the diocese used the latest data available from the 2005 – 2006 financial report provided by Msgr. Sempa. However, your letter of January 4, 2008 now states the same number ($270,580) as the financial statement issued by the pastor to the parishioners. Based on this information confirmed in your letter dated January 4, 2008, it appears that the School Subsidy Paid as listed in The Catholic Light and used by the diocese to calculate the 2007 – 2008 School Subsidy Assessment is incorrect. The correct amount paid in the 2005 – 2006 base year is $270,580, or $11,564 less than the $282,144. Consequently, our parish is entitled to an $11,564 Credit Adjustment, reducing our 2007 – 2008 School Subsidy Assessment to $220,580. The foundation is aware that Blessed Sacrament received a credit adjustment against its 2007 – 2008 School Subsidy Assessment.
The other issue that remains to be addressed is the difference between the Total Other Diocesan Assessment of $75,065 annually ($6,255 monthly) as reported in your letter dated January 4, 2008, and the $83,649 annual assessment ($6,971 monthly) reported by our pastor in his letter issued with the October 21, 2007 bulletin and financial statement for the FYE June 30, 2007. Please clarify.
Finally, the Other Diocesan Assessment rate on the Diocese of Scranton website is still listed at 8.5% and should be updated.
I trust my letter once again explains my legitimate concerns.
Sincerely,
Noreen W. Foti
President, Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc.
CC: Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D., Bishop of Scranton
Most Reverend John M. Dougherty, D.D Vicar General
Msgr. Vincent J. Grimalia, V.G.
Msgr. Joseph C. Bambera, V.E., Canonical Consultant for Pastoral Planning
Father Michael F. Quinnan, E.V. for the Southern Pastoral Region
Father Philip A. Altavilla, E.V. for the Northern Pastoral Region
Pastor Rev. John Sempa
Assistant Pastor Fr. James Alco
Sacred Heart of Jesus – St. John Parish Finance Committee |
