Mission Office

Mission Shop Closing

“The wind blows where it pleases and you hear its sound,
but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.
 It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.
John 3:8

                                                            June 9, 2006

Dear friends of the St. Cloud Mission Shop:

Grace and peace of GOD, Father, Son and Spirit be with you. 

It is said that one sure thing is change.  The Mission Office Board of Directors has been contemplating and praying about a change which was approved at the June 7, 2006 meeting. 

For a number of years the Mission Shop has been losing revenue.  Even though our sales are higher than ever, costs are also higher than ever and continue to increase.  The increasing competition from Dollar Stores and other used article outlets continues to take its toll, lowering our customer base.  The Fair Trade items have brought increased revenue, but not enough to offset the on-going deficit of the Shop.

Therefore, we have decided that the Mission Shop will close some time within the next 6 months.  This was a unanimous decision on the part of the Board.  We believe that this closing will have minimal impact on the parish Mission Groups and Circles within the Diocese.  The main change will come in the distribution of their items, all of which will now be given away freely.   If anything, it will free up additional monies and resources to be shared with our global mission partners across the world.  Perhaps this will present an opportunity to dedicate ourselves anew to the task of developing global relationships and supporting the global mission of the church, which is our mandate.

Please be clear that the Mission Office will continue its work with the Pontifical Mission Societies, Catholif Relief Services, our Diocesan Partnerships, missioner bridges, and the Mission Groups/Circles, etc. Only the shop will be closing.

We are grateful for the many years of faithful service and dedication exhibited by our Mission Shop staff and volunteers.  It is certainly through their commitment that the Shop has been able to continue as long as it has.  We will do all we can to lend support to the staff and volunteers over the next few months as we all go through this time of transition.  We would also appreciate your prayers and support.

All Pastors, Parish Staffs and Curia Directors, as well as Parish Mission Group/Circle presidents and Shop volunteers have been informed of this development.    Please feel free to contact me at the Mission Office with questions or comments or your own or those of any one you are aware of who is concerned about this change.  

GOD bless,

Rosanne E. Fischer
Director
St. Cloud Mission Office