What is the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Assessment?
We’ve heard questions and concerns about the portion of our Sunday collections and capital campaign
gifts that go to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. We’d like to offer some clarity and context to help explain
why this assessment exists—and how it ultimately helps our parish.
The parish general assessment is the main funding source for all operations of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The assessment funds a wide range of essential services and infrastructure that we would otherwise have to hire—and pay for—on our own, including:
We’ve heard questions and concerns about the portion of our Sunday collections and capital campaign
gifts that go to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. We’d like to offer some clarity and context to help explain
why this assessment exists—and how it ultimately helps our parish.
The parish general assessment is the main funding source for all operations of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The assessment funds a wide range of essential services and infrastructure that we would otherwise have to hire—and pay for—on our own, including:
- Legal Representation
- Financial Oversight and Business Support
- Human Resources
- Insurance and Risk Management
Do all parishes pay an Assessment and what are the rates?
Yes. Every parish within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati contributes a percentage of its revenue to support the church. This practice is standard across all dioceses in the U.S.
Yes. Every parish within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati contributes a percentage of its revenue to support the church. This practice is standard across all dioceses in the U.S.
- General Parish Revenue: Assessed at 9.5%
- Capital Campaign Contributions: Assessed at a reduced rate of 5.7%
Is every revenue assessed?
No. Certain types of revenue are exempt from the assessment. These include designated collections, religious education fees, program and activity fees (such as Bible Studies, Little Flowers, CYO, etc.), reimbursements, some festival proceeds, and several cemetery revenue streams.
What Does the Assessment Support?
While not a comprehensive list, the following highlights key services and resources provided by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. By participating in the general assessment, our parish gains cost-effective access to professional support and shared ministries—many of which would be significantly more expensive if sourced independently.
Services Supported by the Assessment Include:
No. Certain types of revenue are exempt from the assessment. These include designated collections, religious education fees, program and activity fees (such as Bible Studies, Little Flowers, CYO, etc.), reimbursements, some festival proceeds, and several cemetery revenue streams.
What Does the Assessment Support?
While not a comprehensive list, the following highlights key services and resources provided by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. By participating in the general assessment, our parish gains cost-effective access to professional support and shared ministries—many of which would be significantly more expensive if sourced independently.
Services Supported by the Assessment Include:
- Property insurance management covering buildings, grounds, and parish vehicles.
- Comprehensive financial reviews conducted every three years.
- Ongoing research and coordination for payroll systems, parish administration tools, and accounting software—including vendor selection and fee coverage for most licenses across all Archdiocesan sites.
- Human Resources support, including guidance on employee onboarding and offboarding.
- Management of employee benefits, such as medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Administration of retirement plans for parish staff.
- Support for capital projects, including vendor evaluations, legal counsel, insurance review, and contract negotiation and execution.
- Business and financial best practices, offered through continuing education and professional development programs.
- Oversight of worker’s compensation and volunteer insurance for all parishes.
- Support for religious education, youth and family ministry, respect life initiatives, campus ministry, evangelization, and outreach programs.
- Ministry services, including hospital chaplaincy, mission outreach, and prison ministry..
- Deaconate formation, Office of Vocations, and oversight of the Athenaeum (the Archdiocesan seminary).
- Religious education collaboration through Northern Network quarterly meetings.
- Support for specialized ministries, including St. Rita School for the Deaf and St. Joseph Orphanage.
- Liturgical, worship, and music ministry support for enhancing parish celebrations and sacramental life.
- We hope this provides clarity how the assessment supports our parish. At St. John the Baptist and all our Christ Our Light parishes, we are deeply committed to being faithful stewards of the financial gifts entrusted to us, recognizing that the ability to support our facilities and parish ministries is a true blessing from God. Thank you for your continued generosity and support.
Archdiocesan Assessment on St. John Recovery Funds to Resume
One of the obvious ways the Assessment has helped St. John the Baptist Church are the staffing, resources, support and guidance the Archdiocese has been providing following the May 29, 2025 fire. Since the fire, the Archdiocese has taken the unprecedented step of not collecting a financial assessment from the funds received for the recovery of St. John the Baptist Church, while at the same time providing unparalleled guidance, support and resources. A few examples of the help and resources provided include the Archdiocese coordinating personnel and heavy equipment in the immediate aftermath of the fire, holding weekly meetings with vendors and insurers since the fire, coordinating mitigation and advocating on our behalf. They have provided gift processing services that normally would cost 10% or more of the total funds received and they have provided media relations staff to help respond to numerous inquiries from news outlets. This generosity has been a tremendous blessing during a very difficult time in the life of our parish. As we continue to make progress and look toward the future with hope, this temporary arrangement is coming to an end. Beginning March 22, we will resume paying a financial assessment to the Archdiocese on fire recovery funds received. Insurance settlement funds will not be assessed.
We are grateful to all who have continued to give faithfully and generously to our parish. Your support has sustained us in many ways. We encourage everyone to continue your stewardship support as we move forward into this important rebuilding phase for the parish.
One of the obvious ways the Assessment has helped St. John the Baptist Church are the staffing, resources, support and guidance the Archdiocese has been providing following the May 29, 2025 fire. Since the fire, the Archdiocese has taken the unprecedented step of not collecting a financial assessment from the funds received for the recovery of St. John the Baptist Church, while at the same time providing unparalleled guidance, support and resources. A few examples of the help and resources provided include the Archdiocese coordinating personnel and heavy equipment in the immediate aftermath of the fire, holding weekly meetings with vendors and insurers since the fire, coordinating mitigation and advocating on our behalf. They have provided gift processing services that normally would cost 10% or more of the total funds received and they have provided media relations staff to help respond to numerous inquiries from news outlets. This generosity has been a tremendous blessing during a very difficult time in the life of our parish. As we continue to make progress and look toward the future with hope, this temporary arrangement is coming to an end. Beginning March 22, we will resume paying a financial assessment to the Archdiocese on fire recovery funds received. Insurance settlement funds will not be assessed.
We are grateful to all who have continued to give faithfully and generously to our parish. Your support has sustained us in many ways. We encourage everyone to continue your stewardship support as we move forward into this important rebuilding phase for the parish.
Share the Memories, the Story of St. John the Baptist Church
As we continue walking together through this season of rebuilding and renewal, we hold close the full story of our beloved parish — the joy of its beginnings, the sorrow of the fire, and the difficult but necessary steps of demolition. Every chapter has shaped us, and every moment has rested in the care of God. We warmly invite you to share any photos (along with its story) you may have from throughout the life of our church. Whether they reflect earlier parish memories, moments surrounding the fire, or images from the demolition, your contributions will help us preserve our shared story with love, honesty, and faith. Together, we can remember, rejoice, and continue healing as a community.
Your photos will be gathered into three albums and posted on MCC Facebook page and MCC's Website:
Google Form to Upload Photos: https://forms.gle/irk45xWbQJr9P9f86
As we continue walking together through this season of rebuilding and renewal, we hold close the full story of our beloved parish — the joy of its beginnings, the sorrow of the fire, and the difficult but necessary steps of demolition. Every chapter has shaped us, and every moment has rested in the care of God. We warmly invite you to share any photos (along with its story) you may have from throughout the life of our church. Whether they reflect earlier parish memories, moments surrounding the fire, or images from the demolition, your contributions will help us preserve our shared story with love, honesty, and faith. Together, we can remember, rejoice, and continue healing as a community.
Your photos will be gathered into three albums and posted on MCC Facebook page and MCC's Website:
- Historical
- The Fire
- Demolition
Google Form to Upload Photos: https://forms.gle/irk45xWbQJr9P9f86
Call for Memories: Share Your Story of the Day of the Church Fire
As we continue preserving the history of our parish, we are gathering personal stories or reflections from parishioners who remember the day of the church fire. Your reflections—whether big or small—are a vital part of our shared story. We invite you to write down any memories, experiences, or stories from that day:
- Fr. Ken Schnipke, C.PP.S, Christ Our Light Family of Parishes
As we continue preserving the history of our parish, we are gathering personal stories or reflections from parishioners who remember the day of the church fire. Your reflections—whether big or small—are a vital part of our shared story. We invite you to write down any memories, experiences, or stories from that day:
- Where you were when you heard the news
- What you saw or felt
- How the parish or community came together
- Any moments of faith, hope, or resilience you recall
- Fr. Ken Schnipke, C.PP.S, Christ Our Light Family of Parishes
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