Does your Parish or Church Charge Families for CCD, Religous Education or Sunday School?

[RachelB]

I don’t know why people on this board are so scandalized by asking for a marginal fee when the vast majority of parishoners can handle the fee no problem.

So far almost everyone has been fine with it. I’m the only person scandalized and I’m not a Catholic yet so don’t worry I just happen to be (temporarily, I hope) poor and quake at the idea of paying for church. I tithe my personal earnings - if I used my “tithe” money to pay for my kids classes instead, it would probably come out to the same - just means I won’t be helping feed the hungry this year. It may be worth mentioning that at this time I wouldn’t pay for ballet or karate anyway - wouldn’t be in the budget. Since this would probably make me one of those who would be excused for need, the fact that it bothers me probably doesn’t even matter.

What is the big difference really from having a fund-raiser or second collection and just asking for the money in a registration fee. It is the same thing. It is basically a request to help out the church so that we can do our best job educating. No one is denied the Gospel over a registration fee in my parish–that is ridiculous.

A registration fee is like a bill for service. Taking up a collection means everyone shares the bill. This is an example of a totally different mindset, a “communal” mindset versus a “personal responsibility” mindset. Politically, I’m a libertarian so I can think of it that way instead and it makes sense - I just always thought my political views were at odds with Christianity.

We are supposed to make our students suffer through 90 degree heat in a stuffy classroom just because we do not want to insult their parents by asking them to give $25 to help with the utilities? That is absurd. Every family in this town has air conditioning, our kids have it in their homes, their parents pay the electric company, so does my church, the church asks for a little help in this. I don’t see how charging for religious education is such a scandal?

I don’t have air conditioning in my home. 'Nuff said.

 

[AngelicDoctor]

That does make sense, and I respect that. I bet it does make a difference, too.

There’s a huge difference in perception, though - religious education classes as a sort of privilege to educate and gain access to the sacraments - earn the right to be a part of the club if you will, versus Protestant Sunday School being a responsibility of the church members as a way to reach out and “win kids for Christ”. Comparing religious education to a karate class makes it seem like a luxury instead of the necessity to bring our kids up in the faith. Just an outside observation. It always seems like Catholic are less fervent in evangelization than Protestants, and this seems like a symptom of that.

I think that you missed my point. My point was that in many communities people will give a great deal in order to provide for the things that are important to them. An example is karate (yes, a luxury)–if parents value that for their children they will give an incredible amount of money, time, effort, etc. towards that. Catechizing their children SHOULD be the greatest value to a family (a necessity). Unfortunately, a lot of families do not see it that way and they opt, instead, for the idolatry of sports and school-worship. So, the idea that most parents in my community cannot afford a modest registration fee when they shell out cash for a multitude of other things is ridiculous.

Also, all of my catechists are parishoners, and they sacrifice far more that the nominal stipend that we pay them. I work well beyond the hours that my contract stipulates… and I put my heart and soul into it. As I said, our parish budget DOES pay for at least 70% of the cost of religious education.

Why do you question the evangelical fervor of people like myself and our catechists just because we ask the parents (who, by the way, ARE financially responsible for their children in every other arena) to kick in a paltry sum to help us pay for supplies. Last I checked, publishers and makers of school supplies (even if they are Christian) do not give stuff away for free.

I think that people on this board are working from an assumption:
“everything in the church should be free”. This dogma is supposed to be so unyielding that we should never ask for a direct fee from parishoners who can easily afford it… ? Is the ideal of stewardship one where everyone tithed so that we would not have to ask for direct fees? Yes. However, the idea of stewardship must be built up over time–and my parish is trying to do this. My parish is not there yet. So, in the meantime, we ask them to pay 30% of the cost. I just don’t see the big deal.

My first question is–why is this so when we live in a context where everything costs money? Why do I not need money for rent or health coverage just because I work for the church?

Your beef should be with the Catholics who do not tithe, not with the parish who needs $ to function. I have an inside perspective and have to draft and maintain a budget, I receive invoices, so I have a little different perspective than people with the abstract “everything in the church should be free” belief.

I do not understand your point here:
“religious education classes as a sort of privilege to educate and gain access to the sacraments - earn the right to be a part of the club”

1. Sacraments are a grace from God and thus cannot be “earned”
2. One deserves to be properly disposed to receive the sacraments (which means they require the necessary catechesis)
3. Catechesis costs money
4. My parish pays at least 70% (this is an estimate) of the cost
5. We ask parents to help us out with the balance
6. For the purpose of organization and efficiency, we ask for (BUT DO NOT REQUIRE) a modest fee.
7. Those who cannot pay are not denied access to education nor to reception of the sacraments.

 

[AngelicDoctor]

So far almost everyone has been fine with it.

If that were so, why was this thread started? If you read the original post you will see that this is a “peeve”,… others have seemed to express either surprise, dismay, or resentment of some kind. Posters have expressed the idea that charging for classes goes against the nature of the Gospel or the Christian message. I think people are over-reacting and exagerating.

“I’m the only person scandalized and I’m not a Catholic yet so don’t worry I just happen to be (temporarily, I hope) poor and quake at the idea of paying for church. I tithe my personal earnings - if I used my “tithe” money to pay for my kids classes instead, it would probably come out to the same - just means I won’t be helping feed the hungry this year. It may be worth mentioning that at this time I wouldn’t pay for ballet or karate anyway - wouldn’t be in the budget. Since this would probably make me one of those who would be excused for need, the fact that it bothers me probably doesn’t even matter.”

Exactly–if you could not pay, you would not be denied access. If you had to make the choice between giving to the poor and helping to defray the costs of catechizing, I would prefer you opt for the former. Other generous parishoners would kick in for the cost of the classes.

“A registration fee is like a bill for service. Taking up a collection means everyone shares the bill. This is an example of a totally different mindset, a “communal” mindset versus a “personal responsibility” mindset. Politically, I’m a libertarian so I can think of it that way instead and it makes sense - I just always thought my political views were at odds with Christianity.”

I understand your point, but I still think that we are blowing this way out of proportion. I think that most people in my community understand that things cost money, and that we all need to bear responsibility for costs. They are not insulted by the term “fee.” I guess they don’t have the time to over-analyze and nit-pick over terminology though (just kidding!). How about this: instead of calling it a “fee” we just had the parents fill out registration forms we kindly ask them to give a suggested “free will offering” to help defray the costs. Those who cannot give any money don’t. Now I ask you, what would be the big difference. That is basically what we do. I think it is a little bit of semantics at play here.

Everyone in my parish does share the bill in that 70% of our budget is taken from the parish collections. I am talking about a fraction of the cost for which we ask for a fee.

I don’t have air conditioning in my home. 'Nuff said.

Do you have 20 kids couped up with you trying to learn? Perhaps not everyone can afford it, but at least in this community, AC is not an exorbitant luxury. I won’t go as far to say it is a life or death necessity, but a comfortable environment facilitates learning, that’s all.

 

[RachelB]

I think that you missed my point. My point was that in many communities people will give a great deal in order to provide for the things that are important to them. An example is karate (yes, a luxury)–if parents value that for their children they will give an incredible amount of money, time, effort, etc. towards that. Catechizing their children SHOULD be the greatest value to a family (a necessity). Unfortunately, a lot of families do not see it that way and they opt, instead, for the idolatry of sports and school-worship. So, the idea that most parents in my community cannot afford a modest registration fee when they shell out cash for a multitude of other things is ridiculous.

That is a very good point and thank you for clarifying.

Why do you question the evangelical fervor of people like myself…

I don’t. Thank you personally for your service.

I think that people on this board are working from an assumption: “everything in the church should be free”.

I don’t think you understand my point of view, either. In the Protestant churches I was raised in, everyone was expected to give as much as they could to the church in general. If their was a special need (i.e. the Sunday school classes couldn’t afford their books), we gave a little more than we could. There’s nothing “free” about that. Everybody gave what they could afford, and sometimes more. If someone who was able was not helping the church, they might even be spoken to, depending on the church.

My first question is–why is this so when we live in a context where everything costs money? Why do I not need money for rent or health coverage just because I work for the church?

It might be worth mentioning that I don’t have health care coverage either, and most of what I do have goes to rent

Your beef should be with the Catholics who do not tithe, not with the parish who needs $ to function.

It really is, and I apologize for making you think my beef was with wonderful sacrificial people like yourself.

I have an inside perspective and have to draft and maintain a budget, I receive invoices, so I have a little different perspective than people with the abstract “everything in the church should be free” belief.

I work in a Christian bookstore, so I sell the very materials that cost so much. I bill churches for the same things you are paying for. It blows my mind sometimes, too.

I do not understand your point here:
“religious education classes as a sort of privilege to educate and gain access to the sacraments - earn the right to be a part of the club”

1. Sacraments are a grace from God and thus cannot be “earned”
2. One deserves to be properly disposed to receive the sacraments (which means they require the necessary catechesis)
3. Catechesis costs money
4. My parish pays at least 70% (this is an estimate) of the cost
5. We ask parents to help us out with the balance
6. For the purpose of organization and efficiency, we ask for (BUT DO NOT REQUIRE) a modest fee.
7. Those who cannot pay are not denied access to education nor to reception of the sacraments.

I don’t think I am able to explain to you how it appears from the outside. Please allow me to let that comment go and say it was inappropriate on my part - if the parishioners tithed as they ought, it would be a non-issue anyway.

 

[RachelB]

How about this: instead of calling it a “fee” we just had the parents fill out registration forms we kindly ask them to give a suggested “free will offering” to help defray the costs. Those who cannot give any money don’t. Now I ask you, what would be the big difference. That is basically what we do. I think it is a little bit of semantics at play here.

Fair point - free will offering sounds SO much better - but if you said it - you might have people who COULD afford it that would use their free will and not pay it, wouldn’t you?

Do you have 20 kids couped up with you trying to learn?

Not yet, only two so far, but who knows what the Lord has in store for my family

Thanks for helping me understand a cultural difference - I will try and have a soft heart when this becomes an issue for me - hopefully by the time my kids are old enough to need such things, I will be able to afford it anyway - and maybe I will remember our conversation and give a little bit more.

 

[ltbpoe43]

Yes it is customary to charge a nominal fee for RE classes as AngelicDoctor explained.

To be clear though - BennieP - these fees are assessed to all who attend regardless of whether they attend public school or the catholic school (if one is part of the church) within the parish. Also, in some parishes, if one attends the catholic school, the religious education is provided as part of that curriculum and tuition and so attendance at a separate CCD is not required, generally speaking.

 

[AngelicDoctor]

Well, it is an interesting question. Sorry if I get excited when I post. Rachel B, you have a level head, that will make you a godly mother. Pax

 

[Rob_s_Wife]

and you are involved in your parish education program to improve it?

Nope. ALL the texts are donated by a private sponsor. (they don’t say who, but I highly suspect it’s the DRE) Which is a fancy way of saying it appears no one gets a say. And fees for materials is not the reason for the fees.

There’s a huge difference in perception, though - religious education classes as a sort of privilege to educate and gain access to the sacraments - earn the right to be a part of the club if you will, versus Protestant Sunday School being a responsibility of the church members as a way to reach out and “win kids for Christ”. Comparing religious education to a karate class makes it seem like a luxury instead of the necessity to bring our kids up in the faith. Just an outside observation. It always seems like Catholic are less fervent in evangelization than Protestants, and this seems like a symptom of that.

As a convert I agree 110% with that assessment and couldn’t have stated it better myself.

 

[AngelicDoctor]

As a convert I agree 110% with that assessment and couldn’t have stated it better myself.

As a revert (who did attend Protestant services for a couple years), I still think that this is a false dichotomy (Protestant Sunday school = free sacrificial evangelization vs. Catholic Religious Ed. fee = cold and callous profit-oriented privileged access to the sacraments) and is actually illogical. It is an example of people over-analyzing and reading far too much into terminology.

Look over the facts again: sacraments require receipient is disposed to receive them =catechized], catechism costs money, still no one turned away for inability to pay. Catholic RE programs do NOT make a profit and fees only serve as a minor portion of funding. So, explain to me how asking for 25$ from a student = entrance into an exclusive club of the privileged? I just don’t buy it.

Sorry I harp on this, but as a DRE I have heard the dogma “no one should have to pay for anything in the Church” when I have colaborated with the good Protestant ministers on events in my area. I look at their group of 20 children and compare it with my group of 200. And of course, they are all to happy to use our facility and its air conditioning in the hot summer months. This discussion is very theoretical and not grounded in the practical realities of actually running a parish (where budgets require predictability vs. relying on spontaneous anonymous donors or a barage of special collections at Mass).

Final point: what I as a DRE would appreciate more than anything is parental involvement in their child’s education–they are the primary educators and the greatest problem we have is that, in many cases, what the children learn in the classroom is not backed up at home (no education and no regular Sunday worship).

 

[Rob_s_Wife]

Catholic Religious Ed. fee = cold and callous profit-oriented privileged access to the sacraments) and is actually illogical.

**That is NOT what was posted. Talk about over-analysis. **And it’s not just about sacraments either. CCD is about religious formation over all, not just the sacraments.

Look over the facts again: sacraments require receipient is disposed to receive them =catechized], catechism costs money, still no one turned away for inability to pay. Catholic RE programs do NOT make a profit and fees only serve as a minor portion of funding. So, explain to me how asking for 25$ from a student = entrance into an exclusive club of the privileged? I just don’t buy it.

**No one is asking you to buy anything. I just don’t agree with you. I put paying for instruction in the faith right up there with paying for a front pew. At the very least, it’s bad PR. **

Sorry I harp on this, but as a DRE I have heard the dogma “no one should have to pay for anything in the Church”
Who said that? I didn’t say that. There are things that I have no issue with, but this is one that I do. No one should even be asked to pay to hear about our faith, in the church or out of it.

when I have colaborated with the good Protestant ministers on events in my area. I look at their group of 20 children and compare it with my group of 200. And of course, they are all to happy to use our facility and its air conditioning in the hot summer months.
By all means charge the prots in town for using our catholic facilities for events.

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That is not the same as charging someone to learn the Catholic Faith.

Final point: what I as a DRE would appreciate more than anything is parental involvement in their child’s education–they are the primary educators and the greatest problem we have is that, in many cases, what the children learn in the classroom is not backed up at home (no education and no regular Sunday worship)
**I can completely understand that. It’s the reason I think there should be absolutely zero cost to CCD. It may be the only religious formation those kids get! **

 

[jmcrae]

At the parish where I teach post-Confirmation teen Catechism classes, we charge $40.00 a year, which is used to purchase the school supplies, curriculum, etc.

In the Protestant Sunday School that I taught before I became Catholic, the kids brought offering money each week, and that money was used to purchase the school supplies, curriculum, etc. (We had a budget, and we knew how much we were spending. What we did was we spent the money first, and then the kids’ contributions were put into the Sunday School account until there was enough for next year’s budget, so we were always a year ahead of ourselves.)

Most kids brought in a dollar each week, and in the end, it all worked out - there was usually a reasonably large amount of money over and above the Sunday School budget at the end, and we’d ask the kids what they wanted to spend the extra on. Some years, we had a party for them, and other years, they gave it away to various charities. (One year, they adopted a tiger from the World Wildlife Foundation, another year, they sent the money to an orphanage in Chile.)

 

[kell0618]

Our CCD program is $50 for the school year and covers all of the expenses that were mentioned. We don’t need air conditioning in Western NY State, but we do need heat; lots of it! No one is turned away for their inability to pay. Our son attends Catholic school so I can’t tell you any other specifics.

 

[YADA]

Check out these earlier threads:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=119859

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=124812

As many have commented the rel issue is the financil support for the parish and how that is obtained… If parishioners financially support the parish via the Sunday Mass offerings, then CCD, RE and many functions of the parish are covered. If the parishioners do not support the parish via the Sunday Mass collections then the funds are collected by fees or other charges. Every parish has [or should have] a paastoral and or administrative council that sets the pastoral direction of the parish and the parish budget. Don’t like the direction of he parish…volunteer or at least attend the meetings where budgets are set. Complaining about the number of collections or fees [or program content] is easy. Volunteering to teach CCD, RE, RCIA and providing adequate funding [annual contributions that are meaningful] is much harder.

A $5.00 per hour job with a 5% contribution rate equates to $520.00 per year or $10.00 per week. Our diocese averages only $6.00 per family per week. A wealthy parish [like mine averages $8.00 per family per week.

The first 9 months of this year 25% of families using checks or envelopes gave less than $5.00 per week and 5% of those gave a dollar or less. And we wonder why our priests have to ask for pledges and send reminders?

This may not apply to you, but in my experience, many [not all] of the biggest complainers regarding collections [or whatever financial request], are those who contribute little to the church, whether it is as a volunteer [time and talent] or cash contribution [treasure]. However, as the statistics on giving show, even active catholics hold the purse strings tightly closed.

Remember, you get what you pay for…

 

[Brigadoon]

A $5.00 per hour job with a 5% contribution rate equates to $520.00 per year or $10.00 per week. Our diocese averages only $6.00 per family per week. A wealthy parish [like mine averages $8.00 per family per week.

The first 9 months of this year 25% of families using checks or envelopes gave less than $5.00 per week and 5% of those gave a dollar or less. And we wonder why our priests have to ask for pledges and send reminders?

This astonishes me. I grew up Mormon and that 10% is driven into your psyche. We do not make much and my husband isn’t catholic, but I give a full 10% of my personal earnings and then extra for special collections. I would feel like a total cheapskate giving a dollar unless that was really all I had.
[/quote]

 

[chicago]

My parish was charging a hundred something when I last asked (which was 2-3 years back, at least). Probably more now. They had to tag on extra at one point as the parish school started charging them a head tax for usage of the facility to try and squeeze out a few extra bucks for their own budget. Actually, the reasoning (understandable) was that the utility bills had to be payed for extra lighting/heating when CCD used it.

 

[AngelicDoctor]

Originally Posted by RachelB forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_cad/viewpost.gif
There’s a huge difference in perception, though - religious education classes as a sort of privilege to educate and gain access to the sacraments - earn the right to be a part of the club if you will, versus Protestant Sunday School being a responsibility of the church members as a way to reach out and “win kids for Christ”. Comparing religious education to a karate class makes it seem like a luxury instead of the necessity to bring our kids up in the faith. Just an outside observation. It always seems like Catholic are less fervent in evangelization than Protestants, and this seems like a symptom of that.
As a convert I agree 110% with that assessment and couldn’t have stated it better myself.

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Martha

Originally Posted by RachelB forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_cad/viewpost.gif
There’s a huge difference in perception, though - religious education classes as a sort of privilege to educate and gain access to the sacraments - earn the right to be a part of the club if you will, versus Protestant Sunday School being a responsibility of the church members as a way to reach out and “win kids for Christ”. Comparing religious education to a karate class makes it seem like a luxury instead of the necessity to bring our kids up in the faith. Just an outside observation. It always seems like Catholic are less fervent in evangelization than Protestants, and this seems like a symptom of that.
As a convert I agree 110% with that assessment and couldn’t have stated it better myself.__________________
Martha

Martha,
I was not saying that religious education/catechism is only about preparation for the sacraments. I was replying to Rachel B’s characterization which you agreed 110% with (“religious education classes as a sort of privilege to educate and gain access to the sacraments.”). Of course I was paraphrasing the false dichotomy between Protestant and Catholic education but I do not think I was far off. Just because a fee is asked that is supposed to mean that we are not trying to “win souls for Christ”? Huh? It is this characterization which I roundly disagree with for the aforementioned reasons (once again, no one is denied access, we are just asking people to help out pay for books and supplies and not pay for “learning the faith”). Whether you look at it as asking for a free will donation or establishing a set fee, it is the same thing, really. Bad PR? We are talking about $25.
Of course, people also receive their faith through the Mass (which costs nothing–although, the Church does rely on offerings at Mass… once again, can’t get around it, even the church needs money to function).

I am doing a vacation Bible school with two local methodist churches. The pastor there had this same idea that children should not have to pay for the classes. This year, it is her church’s turn to coordinate the efforts. After seeing the cost of the materials, and all that was involved, she has changed her tune. Go firgure! She also asked if each church can have a special collection at their Sunday services. What should be kept in mind is that our Catholic parish has A LOT of needs, not just educating our children. We have to pay for our new church, support the archdiocese, raise money for various charitable outreach projects, youth mission trips, etc. If you have a “special collection” every Sunday, people start to get annoyed. In some cases, it makes more sense to simply ask the people who will be requiring the special ministry (such as religious ed.) to just pay a little themselves upfront. The people in my parish seem to understand that and do not see that as “bad PR.” But, I guess that we will have to agree to disagree on this one. Once again, if we had everyone tithing, we would probably not have to ask for a fee. However, that is not our situation right now. So, in order to responsibly and efficiently maintain a budget, we find it easier to ask for fees. I have never received one complaint from a parishoner on this. Also, I am not sure that it is really just to always rely on the same generous parishoners to support the children of some parishoners who never give. All Christians need to responsibly exercise stewardship. If parents help out with the cost of educating their children, then we can use the generous gifts of the other parishoners for other Christian services: feeding the poor, supporing foreign missions, etc. I am just trying to present another side of this. Cheers.

 

[Rob_s_Wife]

**AD, we’re just going to have to agree to disagree. **

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I don’t think everything the church does should be free either. But teaching the faith is no where in comparison to karate lessons.

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**I do see the value of tithing and do my best at it. No offense, but I almost never write a check or use envelopes. I guess since you didn’t see my name?? **

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It is my experience people will give where they see a result. I know this to be true in many prot churches. They see activities and such that are often “free” and know the church needs funds to keep them going. If you charge a fee, they put less in the basket. As others have said, whether it’s a fee or not, it’s still considered part of their tithe. And money is not the only tithe either. Our time and abilities are of greater importance, but only get a cursory mention.

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If a DRE said, “We need X, Y, and Z for CCD this year.” I’d be very interested in the response. I think she would be surprised at the number of people who would step up to help out and donate items or funds for items.

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**And you probably don’t see much complaining. If someone waxes on and on about how expensive the program is and so forth, I’m going to think, “Oh. Okay. Well I can’t afford it, so I’ll just not do it.” It’s not a neccessity and it honestly would not occur to me to mooch, esp knowing that my kid would just be straining the funds that much more. MOST people who can’t afford things do not ask for a break or waiver. They simply do not participate. If you say you need the money, I take you at your word and don’t take what I can’t pay for. With rare exception, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t do this. ****And yes, this does mean we rarely do anything other than Mass these days. **

 

[AngelicDoctor]

when I have colaborated with the good Protestant ministers on events in my area. I look at their group of 20 children and compare it with my group of 200. And of course, they are all to happy to use our facility and its air conditioning in the hot summer months.
By all means charge the prots in town for using our catholic facilities for events.

That is not the same as charging someone to learn the Catholic Faith.

This is precisely the point. We are not “charging someone to learn the Catholic Faith.” We are asking parents to help defray a fraction of the costs of the materials and utilities that are required to have formal classes. No one is refused based on the inability to pay. It is just asking for responsiblility and common courtesy to help the church out. Your remark sounds like we are trying to “sell the Gospel.” Is Steubenville University wrong for charging tuition? Should Jeff Cavins not charge anything for doing his Bible timeline workshops? These organizations are forming adults and young adults in their faith… what they do is not a luxury, in my opinion. And yet, they have costs involved… and so they ask for help to defray them.
This is NOT the same thing as “charging for a front pew” (that IS an example of charging money for a privilege when their is no special cost involved… religous education DOES involve extra costs of materials, utilities, etc.

Final point: what I as a DRE would appreciate more than anything is parental involvement in their child’s education–they are the primary educators and the greatest problem we have is that, in many cases, what the children learn in the classroom is not backed up at home (no education and no regular Sunday worship)
**I can completely understand that. It’s the reason I think there should be absolutely zero cost to CCD. It may be the only religious formation those kids get! **

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Again, I do not mean to put words in your mouth, but you write this as if these kids are being denied access to religious formation based on an inability to pay $25.

 

[AngelicDoctor]

**And you probably don’t see much complaining. If someone waxes on and on about how expensive the program is and so forth, I’m going to think, “Oh. Okay. Well I can’t afford it, so I’ll just not do it.” It’s not a neccessity and it honestly would not occur to me to mooch, esp knowing that my kid would just be straining the funds that much more. MOST people who can’t afford things do not ask for a break or waiver. They simply do not participate. If you say you need the money, I take you at your word and don’t take what I can’t pay for. With rare exception, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t do this. And yes, this does mean we rarely do anything other than Mass these days. **

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Well, I, for one, do not publicly “wax on and on about how expensive the program is”… not to my parish, anyways. I only inform the parents that there are costs involved and that we would appreciate their support. Good stewardship requires that people know that services and materials cost money. I am only talking about the expense on this board in order to offer another perspective.

The original poster on this board wanted to know why parishes charge fees for religious education classes. I thought it might help to give some indications of the expenses involved. Many parishoners in pew do not know the details of the budget. So, I do not think that anyone in my parish says: " ‘Oh. Okay. Well I can’t afford it, so I’ll just not do it." It’s not a neccessity and it honestly would not occur to me to mooch, esp knowing that my kid would just be straining the funds that much more.’ " I suppose that someone theoretically COULD say that, but I am not sure why they would say that based on how I run our program here?

Maybe if my parish was in the inner city or a third world country, we would reconsider the fee. However, in this town there are very few people who could not pay the $25. We are also a close knit community, so if someone knows that another family is having a hard time, one parishoner will just tell me they are going to pay that family’s fee.

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"MOST people who can’t afford things do not ask for a break or waiver. They simply do not participate. If you say you need the money, I take you at your word and don’t take what I can’t pay for. With rare exception, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t do this."

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I understand, but this is my job and I have had people ask for a break. In addition, most people pay the fee upfront. Some people just forget, so after a few months, I kindly write to those who have an outstanding balance and remind them about it. Many then send a check, no big deal. Some just ignore the notice. Then, I just write it off. I do not kick their child out of classes. No big deal. So, it is my experience that quite a few people will either ask for assistance or just ignore the registration fee. Our parish budget picks up the slack for them.

 

[AngelicDoctor]

It is my experience people will give where they see a result. I know this to be true in many prot churches. They see activities and such that are often “free” and know the church needs funds to keep them going. If you charge a fee, they put less in the basket. As others have said, whether it’s a fee or not, it’s still considered part of their tithe. And money is not the only tithe either. Our time and abilities are of greater importance, but only get a cursory mention.

Just so you know, not all DREs are women. I am a man (though yes, we are a minority). Also, I agree whole-heartedly with you that people should not be asked to give of time or money to a program that is not Catholic. I strive to ensure religious education that is challenging, sound and orthodox–and I do this in a pretty theologically/liturgically liberal diocese (and, admist, not a few parishoners of that same bent). I, also, pay for a lot of materials that I want for my program, but that I did not account for in my budget (booklets on chastity from Catholic Answers, for example, text reference books so that I can create special presentations, etc.). I consider this part of my tithe (and I will adjust the amount of my check accordingly because I can only afford to give so much each month).

Also I agree with you about stewardship of people’s time: we have a lot of catechists who volunteer, a lot of parents who do other things to help. Our asking for a modest fee does not seem to discourage people’s generosity in this regard.