The Portlaoise parish made a profit of over €300,000 in 2020, despite the various Coronavirus-related restrictions.
Income – from their basket collections, shrines, lotto, development fund and rental – came in at €532,458, down from almost €567,965 in 2019, but with expenditure coming in at under €229,000, they recorded a profit of €303,526.
The figures are revealed in the most recent edition of the parish’s weekly Link Up newsletter.
Amazingly, despite attendance at mass being severely limited for 2020, the parish only suffered a marginal drop in their basket collections, down under €800 on the previous year to €152,138.
“We had greatly feared that restrictions related to the pandemic would have a disastrous effect on parish finances but as you can see from the accounts for 2020 this was not the case,” explained Monsignor John Byrne.
“We may have less people contributing but those who do are very generous.
“We continue to have restricted congregations and we will not be passing collection baskets or the ‘blue bag’ for some time to come. Maybe we will never return to the traditional collection.
“Many of you have found new ways to support the parish – we thank you very much for your support. It is greatly appreciated.”
The piece goes on to explain that there are collections boxes at the entrance to the churches where donations can be placed. There are also envelope boxes while donations can also be left into the parish centre.
As the parish – which also takes in The Heath and Ratheniska – has charitable status, donations of over €250 in a calendar year can be registered, allowing for the additional tax on that donation to be claimed from Revenue.
Donations can also be made on the parish website or by standing order or electronic transfer.
The accounts also detail how there was a profit of €92,162 from the weekly parish lotto, up from €65,782 the previous year.
This was despite there being 19 fewer draws in 2020 because of lockdown but fewer winners (the jackpot was won six times in a row in 2019).
Rental income on various parish properties was up to €102,870, from €63,642 a year earlier.
In terms of expenditure, which was down over €70,000, the main differences were in the wages and salaries, alter shrine requisites and the Diocesan levy.
The Parish Centre, which is run as a separate entity, recorded a loss (of €6,900) for the first time in 2020 due to the pandemic. Its main source of income – room rental – was greatly curtailed but it was noted that Government wage support was availed of.
The accounts also show that capital expenditure carried out by the parish in 2020 was almost €575,000 on the renovation of the Heath church.
The 2020 account details come as details of the sale of the old parochial house were also confirmed.
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