CHURCH debts in the busy parish of Killarney were slashed by over €52,000 during 2018, dropping from €88,452 at the start of the year to a very manageable €36,113, it has been confirmed.
Total income for the year ended December 31 last stood at €678,076 while expenditure for the same period amounted to €577,461.
Of the operating surplus of just over €100,000, more than €52,300 went towards the repayment of a loan to the Kerry Parochial Trust, leaving a net surplus for the year of €48,276.
In a statement of accounts issued this weekend, the clergy in the diocese thanked the people for their generous financial support. The priests’ salaries were contributed solely through Christmas, Easter and Station dues as well as the November offerings and contributions at weddings, funerals, baptisms and through chaplaincies.
In terms of income in 2018, the weekly offertory collection in the parish amounted to slightly over €285,000 while the monthly red envelope collections brought in just short of €58,000.
Special collections saw contributions of €67,000 – which were forwarded to the various beneficiaries – while donations at shrines and via the Christmas cribs came to almost €152,000.
On the expenditure side, the lighting and heating bills came to close on €84,000, altar requisites amounted to just short of €62,000 and the bill for repairs and maintenance came to more than €52,000.
Wages and PAYE came to €129,842, the cost of printing, postage and stationary was nearly €36,000 and insurance costs amounted to €29,315. The diocesan administration levy was €53,905 while close on €17,000 was allocated to choirs and music.
Contributions to special collection were broken down as follows: Needs of the Holy Land: €2,445; Lourdes Helpers: €4,520; Emigrant Services: €3,080; Peter’s Pence: €2,690; Education of Priests: €7,460; Sick and Retired Priests’ Fund: €6,725; Pastoral and Retreat Centres: €2,960; Diocesan Needs: €3,060; Propagation of the Faith: €4,460; Needs of the Irish Church: €2,765; Diocesan Youth Service: €2,785; Trócaire: €12,224; World Families: €11,910.
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