Although the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City established a means by which area Catholics could contribute to churches through online giving, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their finances aren't entirely clear yet.
The diocese consists of 95 parishes across 38 counties in central and northern Missouri and includes three high schools and 37 elementary schools.
Parishes receive about 86 percent of their revenue from tithes given at weekend Masses, said Helen Osman, diocesan director of communications.
"So far, the parishes and schools have generally been able to hold their own without significant reductions in staff or works of charity and mercy," Osman said last week. "We are, however, keeping our eyes on what the next waves of the pandemic will bring and fully expect the next fiscal year, starting July 1, to be especially difficult."
Following statewide orders, the diocese canceled all public Masses on April 1 to help prevent spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Although that made it more difficult for parishioners to tithe, most parishes received 50-60 percent of their normal contributions while county and statewide stay-at-home orders were in place. The diocese's temporary online giving portal at diojeffcity.org/support-parish remains in place, Osman said.
"At this point, there are not any parishes that are experiencing exceptional financial hardships specifically because of the pandemic, but if a parish was struggling before the pandemic, it is probably struggling even more now, with the decline in normal contributions," Osman said.
The diocese encourages each parish to create its own online giving portal.
The diocese has offered temporary suspension of interest on loans it has made to parishes and the ability to renegotiate loan payments over longer periods of time.
As Missouri began reopening Sunday, so did churches. Bishop W. Shawn McKnight gave Catholic parishes permission to begin holding public Masses but encouraged them to continue livestreaming so those who wished could remain away from the gatherings.
All Masses are to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Faithful were asked to bring their own hymnals or missals to the celebrations.
In early April, as the bishop suspended Masses, he also asked parishes to submit a report of all available funds. Those reports were to be turned in by April 15. The information was to include where funds were deposited, the purposes of the funds and whether there were restrictions on them. The report was also to include a list of all expenses and revenues parishes anticipated over the next three months.
"We are still compiling the data," Osman said. "When it is finished, a report will be delivered to Bishop McKnight describing the current and projected financial positions of the parishes and the diocese as a whole. From there, he and his advisers can make data-driven recommendations on how best to ensure the mission of the church continues during the ensuing months of the pandemic."