Pastor's Message

Sunday, August 2 2026                                                                        Open This Week's Bulletin

The Seed, the Soil, and the Future of Our Parish This Sunday's Scriptures invite us to contemplate both the generosity of God and the condition of the soil of our hearts.

Through the prophet Isaiah, we hear a beautiful promise: just as rain and snow descend from heaven to water the earth, bringing forth life, growth, beauty, and abundance, so too God's Word accomplishes its divine purpose. It never returns empty. It brings renewal, restoration, hope, strength, conviction, and salvation. God's Word remains faithful to the One who speaks it and continues to transform creation and humanity according to His loving plan.

In the Gospel, Jesus presents the familiar image of the Sower scattering seeds across every kind of ground. To the practical farmer, such sowing would seem reckless. No careful farmer would intentionally cast seed onto a hardened path, among thorns, or upon rocky soil. Yet God's ways are not limited by human calculations. The Divine Sower scatters generously, extravagantly, and universally. God's grace is offered to everyone. His Word is proclaimed to every heart. His mercy reaches beyond every boundary.

The question is not whether God continues to sow. God does. The question is: What kind of soil are we becoming?

As individuals and as a parish family, we are invited to reflect on our receptivity to the Word of God. Are we allowing the concerns of daily life, discouragement, distractions, and complacency to choke the seed? Are we permitting God's Word to take deep root and bear fruit in our lives? Are we becoming disciples who not only hear the Gospel but live it with conviction?

For Blessed Trinity Catholic Parish, these readings offer an opportunity to dream, discern, and renew. Where do we begin? Perhaps by listening more attentively to God's voice in prayer and Scripture. Where do we continue? In the many ministries and acts of service that reveal Christ's presence among us.

Where do we rediscover? In remembering that every baptized person has a vocation and a mission within the Church. Where do we pursue new growth? In reaching out to those who have drifted away, to young families, to our youth and young adults, to the lonely, the poor, the elderly, and those seeking a spiritual home.

Where do we renew? In cultivating servant-hearts that place discipleship before maintenance and mission before mere survival. The future of a parish is never secured only by preserving structures, programs, or traditions. It is secured when believers allow God's Word to take root deeply enough that it changes how they live, serve, forgive, give, and love. A vibrant parish is not measured solely by attendance, finances, or activity, but by the number of disciples who are growing in holiness, discipleship, and helping others encounter Jesus Christ, Risen Lord.

What new ministries might emerge if we truly believed God was calling us forward? What renewed stewardship might flourish if we saw our time, talent, and treasure as seeds entrusted to us for the Kingdom? What transformation might occur if every parishioner asked not, "What does the parish do for me?" but rather, "How is Christ calling me to build His Church?"

The harvest that Jesus describes is extraordinary—thirty, sixty, even one hundredfold. Such abundance remains possible today. The Lord continues to sow. The Spirit continues to move. Grace continues to work. May Blessed Trinity Parish become rich soil where God's Word is welcomed, where faith is lived with joy, where ministries flourish, where reconciliation and charity abound, and where every member embraces the mission of making disciples for the generations to come.

The seed has already been sown. The Lord provides the growth. The invitation before us is to become the fertile ground where His Kingdom bears abundant fruit. Let's put our hands to the plow and our hearts to the mission of Christ.

Father Skip – Pastor

"Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries." (James Michener)

A Chosen People, Sent on Mission

SUMMER STEWARDSHIP: AN "ALL CALL" FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Blessed Trinity Catholic Parish,

One of the important responsibilities entrusted to every pastor is to be a faithful steward of the gifts that God has placed in our care and to remain transparent and accountable to the parish family. With that commitment in mind, I would like to share with you an update regarding the financial realities of our parish during these summer months.

First, I wish to express my sincere gratitude. Your generosity, faithful stewardship, and countless acts of volunteer service continue to sustain our parish in ways that often go unseen. Because of your support, Blessed Trinity continues to be a welcoming, vibrant, and safe place where the Gospel is proclaimed, the Sacraments are celebrated, and our parish family grows in faith.

Like every household, however, our parish has experienced the impact of rising costs, unexpected repairs, inflation, and the increasing expenses of maintaining our buildings and grounds. We know that many families are facing these same challenges in their own homes, and we do not take lightly the sacrifices you already make.

Nevertheless, I believe you deserve to know how your offertory gifts are being carefully managed.

Since January 1, 2026, the parish has responsibly met the following major financial obligations:

Air Conditioning Service and Repairs

Service calls for parish air-conditioning systems (exclusive of routine maintenance): $10,653.00

Property and Liability Insurance

Required annual premium paid to the Diocese of Orlando: $108,289.00

By paying the premium before June 30, the parish received a 3% early-payment discount, saving $3,349.00. Had payment been delayed, the total cost would have increased to $111,638.00.

New Security Video Surveillance System

Equipment, licensing, installation, and monitoring for the church and parish campus: $31,512.34 (Paid in Full).

Electronic Access Control System

New secure access system for church entrances, including hardware and installation: $11,604.32

A nonprofit discount of $1,100.00 reduced the project cost. The combined investment in campus security totaled $42,016.66. Expansion of this system into the Parish Offices, Welcome Center, and Parish Center has been placed on hold until finances improve.

Major HVAC Repairs Completed in June

• Church narthex compressor replacement: $6,942.00

• Main church HVAC control board replacement: $2,250.00

• New air-conditioning system for the Parish Center kitchen: $26,980.00

All repairs have been completed and paid in full.

Parish Rectory Renovation (July-August 2026)

Current improvements include:

• Enclosing the existing sun porch with insulated construction.

• Installation of secure windows and exterior doors.

• New mini-split air-conditioning system.

• New concrete foundation to improve safety and security for clergy residents and visiting priests and  guests.

• Relocation and expansion of the laundry area.

• Construction of a much-needed pantry and storage room.

• Interior painting and refurbishing with the generous assistance of parish servant-ministers.  Estimated Cost: $38,870.00

These improvements are being funded entirely through previously reserved monies from The Master's Plan and not from the weekly Offertory.

Financial Stewardship

At the same time, the Diocese's Third Quarter Financial Report (March 31, 2026) reflected an Offertory income deficit of ($113,780.97) compared with our annual budget.

Even with this significant shortfall, your parish has continued to meet every major financial obligation responsibly and on time, while also addressing long-deferred maintenance projects that simply could no longer wait. Careful planning, disciplined budgeting, and prudent stewardship have enabled us to move forward without compromising our financial integrity.

In the coming weeks, once the Diocese completes and certifies our Fiscal Year 2025-2026 financial statements, I will present a comprehensive Financial Report to the parish.

An "All Call" for Summer Stewardship

Summer has traditionally been one of the most challenging seasons for parish offertory. Vacations, travel, and changing schedules often result in reduced weekend attendance and lower collections. Yet the ministry and mission of the parish continue every day. Our utility bills do not take vacations. Insurance premiums, payroll, maintenance, religious education, youth ministry, pastoral care, and outreach continue without interruption.

Therefore, I respectfully ask every parish household to prayerfully consider making an additional gift to the weekly Offertory during the remaining weeks of the summer. If you have been away on vacation, perhaps you might consider "making up" one or two missed Sundays. If you are able, even a modest increase in your weekly offering can make a meaningful difference when multiplied by our entire parish family.

Every gift—large or small—is received with sincere gratitude. More importantly, every gift is an expression of faith, thanksgiving, and love for the parish we call home.

Together, we have accomplished remarkable things over the past several years. We have reduced debt, improved our facilities, strengthened the safety and security of our campus, expanded our ministries, and continued to build a parish community that reflects the love of Christ. None of this would have been possible without your generosity.

I have every confidence that, with God's providence and your continued faithful stewardship, Blessed Trinity Catholic Parish will remain financially strong and spiritually vibrant for generations to come.

Thank you for your prayers, your sacrifices, your trust, and your continued generosity. May the Lord, who can never be outdone in generosity, bless you and your families abundantly.

In Christ's peace and gratitude,

Fr. Skip Negley, M.S. – Pastor

Blessed Trinity Catholic Parish