Parrocchia di San Nicolò: Debt Reduction and Parish Activities Update

With an additional 200 million reduction, the debt of the Parrocchia di San Nicolò e San Severo is now at two billion and 300 million lire. Although not at the pace of previous years, the deficit (which in 1995 was recorded at 4 billion 410 million lire), accumulated for the renovation of the youth center and other church maintenance work, continues to decrease.

Figures and data, which are usually reported in the parochial bulletin, were presented in the usual annual report held at the Corallo theater, in the presence of a few close associates. “If we continue at this rate, it will take less than a decade to pay off the entire debt,” was recalled in the hall after emphasizing that the amount does not accrue passive interest as it comes from loans from private individuals and families.

“The fact that we have eliminated any outstanding debt with financial institutions for over a year has led the town to mistakenly believe that the parish has paid all its debts,” lamented one of those present, worried about the decrease in donations compared to recent past.

Fundraising and Activities

In fact, during 2000, a total of 215 million lire was collected from family offerings, the thanksgiving festival (38 million 700 thousand lire), and days dedicated to parish works. This is a notably substantial amount but 31 million lire less than in 1999. As always, the parish priest don Piergiorgio Formenti remains optimistic: “There has been a decline, but there is no need to exaggerate the problem.”

It only requires proper information and the need to keep the parishioners’ attention—the always generous ones—focused on the extent of the debt. The fact that these are borrowed funds, interest-free for two years from families, does not mean the debt has disappeared.

Furthermore, soon there will be a need to intervene on the roof of the parish church and the old recreation center itself. Beyond the figures, the evening was mainly a chance to take stock of recreational, volunteer, and charitable activities.

Curate don Claudio Cunego, after briefly outlining the activities of the youth center, highlighted the positive progress of the teenagers and young adults group and the service work during religious ceremonies of the youth choir. Critical notes came from the catechists, who pointed out the contradictory attitude of families: they send their children to catechism but not to Sunday Mass.