Money and Sunday Mass

[henrikhank]

At Sunday Mass there is/are person/s with a basket asking for money. What do the “traditional” Liturgical books say about this practise?
and how does this practise differ from the practise of donating for a Mass intention?

 

[ConstantineTG]

At Sunday Mass there is/are person/s with a basket asking for money. What do the “traditional” Liturgical books say about this practise?
and how does this practise differ from the practise of donating for a Mass intention?

They are not “asking” for money, but just passing along the baskets for those who would contribute to the Church. The traditional practice includes giving food to feed the clergy, not just money to run the parish.

 

[Cathryn]

Here is an article from 1908 Catholic Encyclopedia:

newadvent.org/cathen/04104b.htmhttp://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04104b.htm

 

[henrikhank]

Here is an article from 1908 Catholic Encyclopedia:

newadvent.org/cathen/04104b.htmhttp://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04104b.htm

it’s an old article. doesn’t it need some updates?

 

[Cathryn]

it’s an old article. doesn’t it need some updates?

He asked: " What do the “traditional” Liturgical books say about this practise?"

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

As Catholics we’re required to support our parishes and priests by giving our money, time, and talents to the best of our abilities based on the means we have. For example, if you’re a broke university student trying to creatively live off of $600/month including rent (that in and of itself is a talent ), you’re not going to be expected to give the same amount as say the guy who works in oil and gas making a six to seven dollar figure each year. (I say this, because this is the situation in my parish. We have a lot wealthy people, but we also have a lot of poor people and students. Somehow I don’t think the letter I recently received in the mail requesting families to donate $10,000 to our current major project was directed at me.)

 

[tabycat]

Every church that I’ve gone to a Sunday service, Catholic or Protestant, has past the ‘basket’.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

It is one of the precepts of the church that we support the church - that goes back to the Book of Acts - so very traditional.

In the longer ago past, baskets weren’t passed by ushers, but people contributed directly to the priest either in money or “in kind”. Taking up a collection during Mass has probably been done in the US for a hundred years or so.

More info

 

[tabycat]

I’ve heard of ‘pound parties’ were the members of the church would come bring at least a pound of food for the Pastor. I’ve never been to one. From what I remember they happened most in the country and the South and died out after the 1920’s and 1930’s.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

I also remember, very much “back in the day” (1950’s) going to church with my grandparents, and at the door would be ushers taking “pew money” at 25 cents a head on the way into church. This was in addition to the regular collection. In my mind’s eye I can still see the table full of quarters, which seemed like a very big deal to a little kid.

 

[catharina]

He asked: " What do the “traditional” Liturgical books say about this practise?"

Cathryn, I agree you gave him exactly what he requested.
Great job finding that old source!

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Every church that I’ve gone to a Sunday service, Catholic or Protestant, has past the ‘basket’.

We don’t “pass the basket”. Instead we get the intimidating basket on a stick.

I’ve always wanted to do an experiment on the psychology of church offerings and whether or not passing a basket, and using the basket on the stick had an affect on donations.

 

[paperwight66]

In our parish, so many people have opted to pay by standing order, as urged from the pulpit, that the collection bags are just waved at the end of the rows for the one or two who still bring coins. There’s no passing along to speak of, and some rows get missed out altogether as the usher knows through past experience that everyone in that row gives through the bank.

 

[TrueLight]

We don’t “pass the basket”. Instead we get the intimidating basket on a stick.

I’ve always wanted to do an experiment on the psychology of church offerings and whether or not passing a basket, and using the basket on the stick had an affect on donations.

Does the basket on a stick increase or decrease donations?

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Does the basket on a stick increase or decrease donations?

I don’t know. I haven’t had the opportunity to conduct such a psychological study and test it

 

[Cristiano]

Does the basket on a stick increase or decrease donations?

I do not think that it makes a difference until a nun swings the stick around.

Seriously the basket on a stick is functional only with short pews. In some churches it would be impossible to use it even if you were going from both sides of the pew.
My personal reaction is that the basket on the stick is for coins while the larger basket passed around seem to call for greater paper bills.