Announcement to Parishioners concerning use of Parish Facilities

                                                                                          December 2, 2006

Dear Parishioners,

I have mentioned my interest to be the Father of St. Michael’s Parish. I have spoken to you about our
stewardship of time, talent and treasures. Part of good stewardship is a common vision, which we all need to
have about our Faith and this parish. That vision requires the proper use and care of the facilities available to
us. In everything, I have your best interest in mind.

When I came to St. Michael’s Parish, as you know, I set a policy that restricted the use of all facilities to my
personal approval; nothing is planned or adjusted in this parish without my approval. That policy was
communicated to the Parish Finance Council, the Parish Pastoral Council and Commissions and the Staff. The
policy is necessary for consistency and for the good use of the facilities God has provided for us. My point here is that I want to make things possible for everyone with no special treatment given anyone.

My motivation is to insure that everyone is treateed consistently with charity and that everyone feels welcomed
here at St. Michael’s even in regard to the use of our facilities. This is necessary for good stewardship;
consistency is essential for our good parish life.

My decision for the use of facilities are not capricious nor of personal whim. My decisions do not depend on
“ how the wind is blowing” or “if it will fly with Father,” these are phrases I have heard about my manner of
deciding about meetings here. This presents me as some kind of ogre by which people must pass to be able to use facilities here. I truly am offended by the false, inaccurate and hurtful gossip I have heard and I find it
unfortunate to have to even address this. My decisions are always based on the good of the souls of this parish and those who wish to use our facilities. What do I have to gain by anything else?

As I asked in July, I ask everyone again, Councils, Commissions, Staff and parishioners, not to give commentary on what I might think or decide. If you have a question for me, please call me at the Parish Office and ask for my voice mail or press 105, my extension. Leave a message there on the phone for me or email me personally. I take my own messages through the phone and email and I open my own personal mail. I make my own appointments.

If my policy has not been followed, I want to apologize to anyone who has been negatively affected by confusion in scheduling or by a change in scheduling which has not been approved by me. Today I am formally issuing the attached policy and it will be printed in the bulletin next Sunday. In doing so, I have your best interest in mind, as always.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Roger Arnsparger


POLICY APPROVED By Father Roger Arnsparger, Pastor

                                                                                    December 2, 2006

POLICY for use of St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Gastonia, facilities:
No one may use any room or space on the property without calling the parish office to request and obtain
permission from the Pastor for the use of St. Michael’s parish facilities. No one on the Parish Pastoral Council,
Finance Council, Staff or any individual parishioner may plan or adjust any meeting or meeting space without
the Pastor’s permission. This policy will be amended at the Pastor’s discretion as necessary. The following is
included in this policy:

1. This Policy applies to every meeting even if it has been regularly happening for years.
2. When an event is planned and on the parish schedule, no one may change that program and location unless the Pastor has been called and given approval.
3. For every use of the facilities there must be at least two participants who have attended the Protecting God’s Children Program and who have had a background check performed and on file at the parish.

PROCEDURE for requesting and obtaining permission to use parish facilities:
1. Contact the Secretary with a description of the program, the number of expected participants, the time and
space you request for your program
2. That request will be presented to the Pastor for approval.
3. The Secretary will notify you if the program and use of facilities have been approved or not.
4. If the program is approved, it may then be advertised.

CRITERIA: Some of the criteria for the Pastor’s decisions are:
• Conformity to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church
• Conformity with the common vision of St. Michael’s parish
• Security of participants in our programs
• Security of our parish property
• Proper care of our facilities
• Availability of space for as many programs and meetings as possible
• Limitation of conflicts in the use of space
• When a children’s program has been planned, it takes precedence if there is scheduling conflict. This is
because of the children’s dependence on transportation and the need for proper supervision.
• Limitation of confusion concerning who has first rights to use of space here
• Frugal use of utilities.