Parish and Diocesan Numbers Do Not Agree

Parish Still Overcharged on School Assessment

SACRED HEART WILKES-BARRE FOUNDATION, INC.

770 Lantern Hill Road

Shavertown, Pennsylvania18708

(570) 696-3169

January 14, 2008

Msgr. John Sempa

666 North Main Street

Wilkes-Barre, PA18705

Subject:           Other Diocesan Assessment

Dear Msgr. Sempa,

As a follow-up to our letter dated December 28, 2007, we received the attached letter from Mr. Quinn clarifying some issues regarding the other diocesan assessments.  However, as noted in our attached letter to Mr. Quinn dated January 14, 2008, there are some remaining discrepancies.

According to the detailed explanation provided by Mr. Quinn in his letter of January 4, 2008, the Other Diocesan Assessment being charged to our Sacred Heart – St. John Parish is $75,065 annually, or $6,255 per month.  However, in your letter to the parishioners published with the parish Financial Statement for the FYE June 30, 2007 issued with the October 21, 2007 bulletin, you state that the Other Diocesan Assessment is $6,971 per month, or $83,649 annually.  Please explain this $8,584 annual discrepancy.

Also, per the latest information provided by Mr. Quinn, our parish is definitely due an $11,564 credit adjustment against our 2007-2008 Parish Assessment for Schools. Details are included in the January 14, 2008 letter (copy attached) to Mr. Quinn.

We are also still awaiting reply of our November 23, 2007 letter to Mr. Quinn and hopefully an additional credit adjustment of $91,249 against our 2007-2008 Parish Assessment for Schools. This credit would correct the inequity resulting from the arbitrary $50,000 cap.

Hopefully, you appreciate our efforts on behalf of our parish.

Sincerely,

Noreen W. Foti, President

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

            Mr. James Quinn, Diocesan Secretary for Financial Services, CFO

            Assistant Pastor Fr. James Alco

            Sacred Heart of Jesus – St. John Parish Finance Committee