Does your parish use ParishPay

[YADA]

Does you parish use ParishPay as an option for parishioners to make their contribution?

If yes, do you use it?

Do you like it?

If you did but have stopped; why?

If not, would you use that option if available?

Why or why not?

FYI: ParishPay allows you to make a contribution directly from your checking account or from a credit card.

 

[chicago]

It seems that the Archdiocese has put on a push to get parishes to use this system. Strangely, it has not seemed extremely sucessful at some of the parishes which I have seen emphasize it. Maybe it is just older parishioners who are stuck in ways that aren’t suited toward this sort of automatic deduction system? Perhaps people don’t want to give in such a dedicated and non-anonymous manner? I don’t know.

 

[Glennon_P]

We use it and have for the past couple of years, since our parish introduced it.

We like it because there is never a temptation to “skip the envelope this week because Bill X, Y, or Z is due…and we’ll catch up later.” Of course, we struggled mightily to “catch up”!

Now, that temptation is gone. The money is deducted from our account twice a month.

One concern I have is that our kids never see us giving an envelope. I occasionally remind them that we are still donating to the parish - we are just not using the envelope system.

It seems that the number of people using electronic tithing are increasing, based on the amount of contributions that are reported in the bulletin. Either that, or those using it are increasing the amount of their donations.

 

[Scottgun]

Sounds like an interesting system.

One concern I have is that our kids never see us giving an envelope. I occasionally remind them that we are still donating to the parish - we are just not using the envelope system.

I suppose you could put a smaller amount in an envelope and put that in the basket.

 

[Glennon_P]

Sounds like an interesting system.

I suppose you could put a smaller amount in an envelope and put that in the basket.

I have thought of that…but we don’t get envelopes any more. Our parish mails out envelopes on a quarterly basis rather than hand out a year’s supply in a box. To save the parish the cost of the envelopes, those families using e-tithing don’t get them.

 

[Scottgun]

I have thought of that…but we don’t get envelopes any more. Our parish mails out envelopes on a quarterly basis rather than hand out a year’s supply in a box. To save the parish the cost of the envelopes, those families using e-tithing don’t get them.

Ahhh. I see. I suppose you could use your own envelopes or just dump the cash right in the basket as I sometimes do. I am guessing you want the envelopes to track your giving. I think if you just put your name on it, they will still record it. Ask them.

 

[TraditionalCath]

Does you parish use ParishPay as an option for parishioners to make their contribution?

If yes, do you use it?

Do you like it?

If you did but have stopped; why?

If not, would you use that option if available?

Why or why not?

FYI: ParishPay allows you to make a contribution directly from your checking account or from a credit card.

edited… i found it and think its a wonderful idea!

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

I suggested we use it, from a technical as well as stewardship aspect. Not only does assist bookkeeping, but it would help with tuition payments.

It hasn’t happened yet, not even discussed. But I just “discovered” where the DSL line and all the other phone lines run, and into which building. Some would rather use 80s technology- I mean 1980s, but I sometimes think 1880s. I think The Powers That Be also prefer to count envelopes to see who attended and who didn’t.

In the interim, however long, we put a token amount in our envelope, and set our online banking to give a regular weekly amount.

 

[YADA]

We have been using our banks online banking for the past three or four years. I started doing that because about the only “checks” I was writing were for the weekly collection and second collections.

About a year ago, our parish started offering the parishpay alternative, so I just signed up to switch over in August.

We have not been using envelopes since I started the online banking donation. The ParishPay web site has coupons that you can print to place in the envelope or the collection basket. I did not look at them or print them yet as we it stated that our contributions through ParishPay begin in August…but that does allow you to still ‘put something in the plate’ as it passes by.

 

[Catholig]

We have been using our banks online banking for the past three or four years. I started doing that because about the only “checks” I was writing were for the weekly collection and second collections.

About a year ago, our parish started offering the parishpay alternative, so I just signed up to switch over in August.

We have not been using envelopes since I started the online banking donation. The ParishPay web site has coupons that you can print to place in the envelope or the collection basket. I did not look at them or print them yet as we it stated that our contributions through ParishPay begin in August…but that does allow you to still ‘put something in the plate’ as it passes by.

That seems kind of dumb to me - I mean I understand the logic. And whatever. And I guess you don’t want to be judged, however - it still seems dumb.

Catholig

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

If ParishPay is the same as automatic money transfer than yes it is an option at my parish.

 

[wannabee]

That seems kind of dumb to me - I mean I understand the logic. And whatever. And I guess you don’t want to be judged, however - it still seems dumb.

Catholig

Hmm - just wait till you can do this before you make up your mind.

My RC Parish did this this type of scheme - and they were allowed to claim this against tax - so they benefitted too.

Advantages of such a scheme --Money comes in regularly even if we aren’t there and their expenses carry on week after week after week. They don’t go away on holiday like we do

I would like the ability to do this in my EC Parish - but it’s not available - we get envelopes - but finding the cash to put in them after a holiday is not easy.

 

[Catholig]

Hmm - just wait till you can do this before you make up your mind.

My RC Parish did this this type of scheme - and they were allowed to claim this against tax - so they benefitted too.

Advantages of such a scheme --Money comes in regularly even if we aren’t there and their expenses carry on week after week after week. They don’t go away on holiday like we do

I would like the ability to do this in my EC Parish - but it’s not available - we get envelopes - but finding the cash to put in them after a holiday is not easy.

I meant the coupons.

Catholig

 

[YADA]

I am not sure what you mean by ‘dumb’ and not being ‘judged’

I am not concerned with being judged…as for dumb…not sure what you were identifying…that someone might want to contribute in an efficient manner [ie electronicly] an still want to place ‘something’ in the collection plate?

I can imagine that people with small children might want to ‘put the envelope’ the basket as it comes by…easier to discuss our obligation to support our parish and other charitable caues then say telling a child “our contribution is made electronically”

My husband and I split time between our home and my mothers place [which we bought so she could stay there] We attend a parish whe we are there regularly enough that we receive envelopes from that parish…we still write a check the old fashioned way when we attend mass there…I have toyed with the idea of setting up a payment from the local credit union account we keep for the house expenses there [that parish is very small - no ParishPay available] and making support of that parish a year round regular commitment - just as if we lived there year round.

That parish is in need of increased financial support. We see its needs and hear Father discuss them occassionally when we are there. It is very small parish in a very small town. It has an Augustinian priest. Our fear is that the parish will become un-sustainable and end up closing. It has basicaly remained open because the Augustinians provide the priest. Even with a priest, though, a parish must be able to financially support itself. If it closes we [and the apporximately 200 families] will have to drive 30 miles to Mass.

 

[Lovemyfaith]

I just can’t see my pastor doing this, but if he did my family would be first in line to sign up. Since we are split up (as a family) for Mass on many Sundays, there are many times I don’t have an envelope to put in anyway. Also, it would mean less work for the counters of the parish (my husband being one). I don’t know how it would work for second collection envelopes, like the retirement for priests and the Holy Land, unless you set those up from the start of the year.

 

[chicago]

I suggested we use it, from a technical as well as stewardship aspect. Not only does assist bookkeeping, but it would help with tuition payments.

It hasn’t happened yet, not even discussed. But I just “discovered” where the DSL line and all the other phone lines run, and into which building. Some would rather use 80s technology- I mean 1980s, but I sometimes think 1880s. I think The Powers That Be also prefer to count envelopes to see who attended and who didn’t.

In the interim, however long, we put a token amount in our envelope, and set our online banking to give a regular weekly amount.

I’m guessing that part of the problem is that a lot of pastors not only aren’t adept at financial management, but don’t know all that much about how to do this sort of thing, themselves. So, as long as it’s an oddity to the man in charge and seen as ultimately uncessesary, it won’t go very far.

Similarly, most parishes absolutely underutilize their web resources (if they even have any) to communicate with the parish. Why? A lot of pastors are practically computer illiterate beyond using their word processors, let alone web saavy.

 

[Glennon_P]

I don’t know how it would work for second collection envelopes, like the retirement for priests and the Holy Land, unless you set those up from the start of the year.

That’s how we handle it - we specified when we signed up what second collections we wanted to contribute to, and the amount of each donation.

 

[YADA]

It is true that change is hard. We live in a world of ATM’s and online bill pay. I pay most of my regular bills with a credit card and then electronically pay the credit card.

Even if you write a check at some stores, they whisk it through a machine and hand it back to you…the check is not necessary as they just ‘deducted’ the amount from your account…

As far as the second collections, I think the ParishPay has ways to deal with that…when I signed up I gave them a monthly amount for the Sunday collection, Religious Education and St. Vincent dePaul.

I also contrubute to a Seminary and our Archdiocese by credit card…

 

[YADA]

These are some of the benefits that I think come from either the voluntary use of a Bill Pay System or the ParishPay program:

First, it may cause the individual [family] to spend time thinking about the support of their parish and the role they have in that mission…

Budgeting a monthly amount and scheduling that contribution makes the support seem more real, like your gas bill and the mortgage…a committment…

If you are visiting grandma or traveling for business/pleasure, your support [contribution] is still made. After all, the parish still has to pay staff, pay the phone bill and utlities even if you are not there on a Sunday…

You do not have to worry about a forgotten checkbook or what is in your wallet…

Cash is easier to steal…last Christmas some parishes were robbed by outside thieves. Sometimes employees have been known to embezzle and/or steal funds. Funds donated on Saturday and Sunday have to be taken to the bank…some of these funds from a bill pay center may be directly deposisted.

 

[wannabee]

I meant the coupons.

Catholig

Catholig

I know this is a personal question BUT

You seem to have little understanding of how family budgets are worked out - or for that matter Church finances .

Many of us have very limited funds and have to stretch things as far as we can. For us being able to know that our Contributions go ahead whether we are there or not is a great help.

For many having an envelope which normally has a personal reference number on it ] means that the only person who knows how much YOU give is the Treasurer . All the Passkeepers or ushers know is that you put a contribution envelope in.

Having said that now for the question

Are you in full time education still - or are you in employment ? The answer would explain the fact that you think putting a coupon or some such in the basket is ‘dumb’