Confession Question

[Melvin]

I belong to a Roman parish, but often attend an Eastern Catholic parish for Divine Liturgy. Over the last month and a half or so, I have attended the Eastern parish almost exclusively…primarily because I made several verbal commitments to do so…one at a time…once wishing I had not because I really wanted to attend my home parish the next week…

During that time I have been giving my offerings to the Eastern Parish. I know that we are supposed to support our home parish, and I always give an offering when I attend my parish. I had not really meant to be as exclusive as I have been recently toward the Eastern parish.

Anyway, today I went to confession at my home parish. Knowing that I had not attended Holy Mass at my parish for sometime I was feeling a bit guilty about not having given any recent offerings. I debated about confessing this, but mostly out of embarrassment and possibly not really sure whether or not it was even a sin, did not.

Now, of course, I’m wondering if I have sinned in not confessing a failure to give offerings to my home parish over the intervening time, and whether my confession was valid! I felt so guilty I came home and put checks in three offering envelopes and will probably drop them off at the church office tonight…

I truly appreciate the Lord’s gift of Confession…I can’t imagine where I’d be without it. But sometimes, I get a headache…

Thanks for any help…

Melvin

 

[Agatina]

Hi Melvin,
I don’t really know the answer to your question about it being a sin to not donate to your home parish but since you seem to think it is a sin you probably should ask your priest if it is a sin so that you will know what to confess.
Honestly, I can hear my priest answering you as he has answered me in the past “Ease up on yourself”.
You sound like a very nice, sweet person!
Agatina

 

[Methodi]

I belong to a Roman parish, but often attend an Eastern Catholic parish for Divine Liturgy. Over the last month and a half or so, I have attended the Eastern parish almost exclusively…primarily because I made several verbal commitments to do so…one at a time…once wishing I had not because I really wanted to attend my home parish the next week…

During that time I have been giving my offerings to the Eastern Parish. I know that we are supposed to support our home parish, and I always give an offering when I attend my parish. I had not really meant to be as exclusive as I have been recently toward the Eastern parish.

Anyway, today I went to confession at my home parish. Knowing that I had not attended Holy Mass at my parish for sometime I was feeling a bit guilty about not having given any recent offerings. I debated about confessing this, but mostly out of embarrassment and possibly not really sure whether or not it was even a sin, did not.

Now, of course, I’m wondering if I have sinned in not confessing a failure to give offerings to my home parish over the intervening time, and whether my confession was valid! I felt so guilty I came home and put checks in three offering envelopes and will probably drop them off at the church office tonight…

I truly appreciate the Lord’s gift of Confession…I can’t imagine where I’d be without it. But sometimes, I get a headache…

Thanks for any help…

Melvin

No sin, If I go to mass at another church, I give to their collection. The money is all used for the upkeep of the churches, so your still giving to God`s cause

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I have seen the suggestion that if one attends another parish one might split ones offering; half to each. But it is just a suggestion; not an obligation. [and don’t obsess on which one gets the odd penny. ]

 

[LilyM]

There’s no sin in your case - the obligation is simply to support the Church in general, the way you choose to do this is up to you.

Whether you do this by supporting Catholic charities, your diocese, the parish you attend most often or any other parish you wish to support, it doesn’t matter - all good!

 

[Melvin]

Thank you to all of you who took the time to help me. God bless you.

Melvin

 

[Traditional_Ang]

I belong to a Roman parish, but often attend an Eastern Catholic parish for Divine Liturgy. Over the last month and a half or so, I have attended the Eastern parish almost exclusively…primarily because I made several verbal commitments to do so…one at a time…once wishing I had not because I really wanted to attend my home parish the next week…

During that time I have been giving my offerings to the Eastern Parish. I know that we are supposed to support our home parish, and I always give an offering when I attend my parish. I had not really meant to be as exclusive as I have been recently toward the Eastern parish.

Anyway, today I went to confession at my home parish. Knowing that I had not attended Holy Mass at my parish for sometime I was feeling a bit guilty about not having given any recent offerings. I debated about confessing this, but mostly out of embarrassment and possibly not really sure whether or not it was even a sin, did not.

Now, of course, I’m wondering if I have sinned in not confessing a failure to give offerings to my home parish over the intervening time, and whether my confession was valid! I felt so guilty I came home and put checks in three offering envelopes and will probably drop them off at the church office tonight…

I truly appreciate the Lord’s gift of Confession…I can’t imagine where I’d be without it. But sometimes, I get a headache…

Thanks for any help…

Melvin

Melvin:

Christ is Risen!

Which Parish do you feel more at home at? Which Liturgy seems to be feeding you more? I mean, if you feel more at home at the Eastern Catholic parish, there’s nothing wrong in asking if you can transfer there… I’ve found a rather nice Maronite Cathedral parish near my house, and the Divine Liturgy is much nicer than the present English Liturgy (the Novus Ordo or Mass of Paul VI). If you fell this is the case here, it’s OK to do this - Our Lord wants you to worship Him and to receive His Sacraments. He doesn’t care if you do so in a Western Rite Catholic Church or a Eastern Rite Catholic Church - Just so long as you receive the Grace of His Sacraments.

I’m glad you’re concerned about supporting the Church, because so many Catholics and other Christians aren’t and couldn’t care less. Ease up on yourself, and ask talk about this to your priest - I think that was good advice.

Your Brother and Servant in Christ, Michael

 

[kitkatty]

I agree Melvin, ease up on yourself and I commend you for your charity and obligation you feel to support the Church. I myself do not give as much when I attend another parish but I always give because I feel I have been given the privilege of having my Sunday obligation fulfilled by that particular parish. As for your donation to your own parish if you feel a little guilty then just give a little more the next few times you attend there.