Parish demanding donations

[otjm]

There are any number of reasons that people leave the Catholic Church, and one of them is over the priest, or other authorized individuals asking for funds for support of the parish or for other Catholic charitible groups.

How sad. For some reason, Catholics seem to feel that what they give is no one’s business. I saw one irate letter over the fact that the parish is question would not give a tax statement at the end of the year because the couple in question had not used envelopes. They obviously seemed to not make their donation by check (in which instance they would not need a statement from the parish, as a canceled check is sufficient proof to the IRS), and the couple was irate. Talk about being both bull-headed and stupid!

Why is it that Catholic pocket books scream the loudest? Why is it, when surveys are made about donations, that Catholics are either the lowest, or in a race for lowest donation per capita in the US?

If one cannot truly give any more, then one is not required to give more. But we seem to have lost sight of what the Jews gave - first fruits (note, I don’t want to go down the path of tithing as that law is not binding on us). If we gave from our bounty - the first check written, instead of whatever was left over as Sunday rolled around, how would we stand with God? With a God who is a generous to us as He is, why are we so adamant that we cannot be even a little bit generous back?

Someone earning $10/hour makes $20,800 per year. Assuming taxes take 20% of that, that leaves a net of $16,640.

$5 per week is 1.5625% of one’s net. Do they have cable tv? Do they go out to lunch once a week? Do they… fill in the blanks.

And yet giving more that about one and one half percent of one’s income upsets some people…

It may be that the OP is making significantly less; however, getting angry seems to be a very interesting response. Do they get mad if the rent goes up? Taxes? The price of a gallon of milk or a gallon of gas?

If they get mad about that, then I would suggest it is past time to get some anger management training, as their life is most likely miserable. If this is all they got mad about, then I would suggest some perspective… is there any moral issue about the salaries of staff? Where do they think the priest gets paid from - thin air?

No one is even sggesting that they give until it hurts; just that they give a bit more.

How strange. How sad.

 

[chicago]

On the one hand, parishes need funds to survive. Everyone seems to forget this. We all tend to have an entitlement mentality that the “Church” should just give us ministry for free. Well, who is the Church, some obscure “them”? No, it is us! So if WE don’t fund our own institutions and ministries, who will?

Parishioners also need a periodic reminder of inflation and costs.

However, I’m not sure how well these appeals typically go over. For, often, is it little more than “preaching to the choir”. The people who sincerely give as best they can and up their donations when asked just get frustrated. Those who don’t pull their own weight probably aren’t going to get inspired to give, anyway. So is it just a bit counterproductive? Afterall, even the programs which tend to get developed by dioceses are hewn by accountants and business types at the chancery office with little understanding of how sensitivities of people in the parishes might play out. They’re just looking at statistics.

Further, there is something to the idea of the Church always “being there” for those in need, without cost. So coming off as complaining about people not donating can be a problem, too. Though here is where people do need to discern as to who should be supporting who. We need to help our neighbor, but are we using that as an excuse, “Why isn’t my neighbor helping ME?”

I think that a generally better approach would be to change the focus from telling people about why they should be giving money to the Church and start to explain what the Church can do for THEM in managing money well. Part of this can be a focus upon things like tithing (or at least offering a certain percentage) as “first fruits”, the way in which giving more to the Church can affect your tax deductions positively, the concept of living on a budget and making sacrifices for better spiritual and material/financial health. Perhaps if parishioners better felt the impression that the Church was not so much “on the take” as “trying to offer me something of worth”, they would take the responsibility of offering their resources in return of thankgiving offering.

 

[Sheeniac]

Have wealthy Catholics become hoarders?

Good grief - I hope not! It’s a tax deduction, so all the better. I don’t consider myself wealthy, but I do give a fair amount. If you count in Peter’s Pence, and a few special collections, it really adds up. I wonder if there is still anger over the scandals.

 

[Theophilus14]

A parish is a corporation that needs to be financially sound. There are many fixed costs, as stated above-much as we have at home. And parishes need to save for future repairs and plan for growth, as well as continue to expand what is provided to the parishioners. This is very hard to do when all income is via donations. The Bible calls us to tithe, to donate 10% of our salaries to charitable causes. This is hard but it is a sacrifice worth making. My husband and I have only managed about 7% the past few years. But we are working and praying towards the ten percent because we believe that the sacrifice helps us to be more dependent on God and brings us closer to the poor of our world. And that is how Jesus lived, among the poor, dependent on Our Father.

Perhaps the Finance Council could have been more diplomatic in asking for an increase in giving. But I bet they felt as uncomfortable asking as you were at hearing their pleas. Bring it to prayer and do the best you can. After all, God is the only one who really knows what you are giving and why.

 

[YADA]

We are called to be responsible for our conteibutions, remember the widows mite and the rich man’s contribution…how could Jesus discuss the relation of the two if both were made anonimously?

Do you want your parish to be responsible for how they spend the funds donated to the parish? Of course you do…whay is it the catholics in the pews do not want to be held accountable?

Ususally those who are upset the most at parish appeals are themselves guilty of non support. That may or may not fit the OP but is fits many disgruntled parishioners…

Churches need support…

 

[yessisan]

Of course the parishes need our support, I’m not at all against that. I know the donations are what keep them up. But just the tactic was not at all charitable. I’ve had people complain to me about how the CC won’t allow them to do certain things, such as receiving a Sacrament if their envelopes didn’t have enough money. Do you think I believe that? No, so this is why I got mad. I was always defending the CC by saying there was no way they’d demand it that way, but maybe this person I’m talking about was right.

Another thing is that because my DH is a JW, this gives him more reason to be anti-Catholic. They already hate it that the donation basket is passed around during Mass. JWs think it’s mandatory. Well, as far as I knew, it wasn’t mandatory, it should come from your heart, and of course, I try to give as much as I am able every single week. JWs have come up to me telling me we’re a bunch of idiotic people giving our money away every wk in the pews. They think that all the money is for the priest, they believe the priests get paid a huge amount of money, they believe all parishes are supported financially by the Vatican, they believe the Pope lives in a huge palace (just because the Vatican is a big city, they don’t know the Pope lives in a small place). So of course I get angry. It gives my husband more reasons to hate the one True Church. It makes him feel as though he is correct in all the things that involve money. It makes me mad, and if some imply I have anger issues, sorry, but of all people, me? Think what you want, I don’t like people who judge, especially after reading a comment on the internet. You can’t even read sentiments between the lines, so no hard feelings. And one more thing on the JWs… because they have their boxes outside of their hall, no one sees who gives or doesn’t give, and they think that because in the pews you see who does and who doesn’t, they attack us even more.

One clarification, I never said I was leaving the CC, only going back to the parish I am a member of, is that wrong? I don’t think it is, in fact, many times I’ve read here on the forums that you can be a member of the parish you want, besides, the one I’m currently attending has many things I dislike, they focus too much on the members and not Christ, which I believe shouldn’t be the case. Socializing and saying hi, getting a name and giving a name at the beginning of Mass is very inappropriate. So, I can go back to the more traditional-like Mass that I always liked, besides, the one I belong to is where I married, where I confirmed, and where I teach catechism to little Hispanic kids. It has nothing to do with money.

 

[buffalo]

Of course the parishes need our support, I’m not at all against that. I know the donations are what keep them up. But just the tactic was not at all charitable. I’ve had people complain to me about how the CC won’t allow them to do certain things, such as receiving a Sacrament if their envelopes didn’t have enough money. Do you think I believe that? No, so this is why I got mad. I was always defending the CC by saying there was no way they’d demand it that way, but maybe this person I’m talking about was right.

Another thing is that because my DH is a JW, this gives him more reason to be anti-Catholic. They already hate it that the donation basket is passed around during Mass. JWs think it’s mandatory. Well, as far as I knew, it wasn’t mandatory, it should come from your heart, and of course, I try to give as much as I am able every single week. JWs have come up to me telling me we’re a bunch of idiotic people giving our money away every wk in the pews. They think that all the money is for the priest, they believe the priests get paid a huge amount of money, they believe all parishes are supported financially by the Vatican, they believe the Pope lives in a huge palace (just because the Vatican is a big city, they don’t know the Pope lives in a small place). So of course I get angry. It gives my husband more reasons to hate the one True Church. It makes him feel as though he is correct in all the things that involve money. It makes me mad, and if some imply I have anger issues, sorry, but of all people, me? Think what you want, I don’t like people who judge, especially after reading a comment on the internet. You can’t even read sentiments between the lines, so no hard feelings. And one more thing on the JWs… because they have their boxes outside of their hall, no one sees who gives or doesn’t give, and they think that because in the pews you see who does and who doesn’t, they attack us even more.

One clarification, I never said I was leaving the CC, only going back to the parish I am a member of, is that wrong? I don’t think it is, in fact, many times I’ve read here on the forums that you can be a member of the parish you want, besides, the one I’m currently attending has many things I dislike, they focus too much on the members and not Christ, which I believe shouldn’t be the case. Socializing and saying hi, getting a name and giving a name at the beginning of Mass is very inappropriate. So, I can go back to the more traditional-like Mass that I always liked, besides, the one I belong to is where I married, where I confirmed, and where I teach catechism to little Hispanic kids. It has nothing to do with money.

Due to the size of some parishes they use envelopes to monitor if you attend Mass. In order to be a sponsor or recieve sacraments one should be faithfully atttending Mass.

 

[yessisan]

Due to the size of some parishes they use envelopes to monitor if you attend Mass. In order to be a sponsor or recieve sacraments one should be faithfully atttending Mass.

I was told by my parish that they cannot by any means monitor who comes or who doesn’t. There is no way to do it. I don’t use envelopes, and I attend every Sunday and HDO. When I called the parish to ask if I needed to have the envelopes, they said no, that they rather us not use them to save the trees, so I asked to be a non-evelope member. This lady I’m talking about wasn’t denied the Sacrament for herself. It was denied for her baby, being why I couldn’t believe it at first. She also went to Mass every wk but didn’t use her envelopes all the time, so yes, sometimes they can track who comes, but what if you don’t remember that darn envelope? You can’t come to that conclusion just because there is no envelope.

 

[buffalo]

I was told by my parish that they cannot by any means monitor who comes or who doesn’t. There is no way to do it. I don’t use envelopes, and I attend every Sunday and HDO. When I called the parish to ask if I needed to have the envelopes, they said no, that they rather us not use them to save the trees, so I asked to be a non-evelope member. This lady I’m talking about wasn’t denied the Sacrament for herself. It was denied for her baby, being why I couldn’t believe it at first. She also went to Mass every wk but didn’t use her envelopes all the time, so yes, sometimes they can track who comes, but what if you don’t remember that darn envelope? You can’t come to that conclusion just because there is no envelope.

Our parish does use envelopes as a means. Our pastor had put in the bulletin, if you don’t put money in, just put the envelope in. If you attend another church do the same and it will be forwarded. Envelope use would indicate a pattern of attendance. You would be surprised how many people do not attend and want things from the church. In one parish the parish bulletin was used as an indicator, so people would jump out of their cars get a bulletin and drive off. Do they even know the value of sacraments? Why woudl they want them if they don’t attend Mass?

 

[Philothea53]

I attend Mass at the Cathedral Church in the heart of one of the wealthiest areas of town (I live way on the outer edge

Our Music Minister quit a while back because he/she was told there wasn’t money for a raise. Last week, I found out that of the 2800 registered families in the Parish, one thousand families have NEVER donated even :twocents: - 900 of those receive envelopes.

 

[yessisan]

Our parish does use envelopes as a means. Our pastor had put in the bulletin, if you don’t put money in, just put the envelope in. If you attend another church do the same and it will be forwarded. Envelope use would indicate a pattern of attendance. You would be surprised how many people do not attend and want things from the church. In one parish the parish bulletin was used as an indicator, so people would jump out of their cars get a bulletin and drive off. Do they even know the value of sacraments? Why woudl they want them if they don’t attend Mass?

It’s sad how people act But hey, if the envelope works that way, then maybe I’ll contact the pastor and ask him what he rather have me do.

 

[yessisan]

I attend Mass at the Cathedral Church in the heart of one of the wealthiest areas of town (I live way on the outer edge

Our Music Minister quit a while back because he/she was told there wasn’t money for a raise. Last week, I found out that of the 2800 registered families in the Parish, one thousand families have NEVER donated even :twocents: - 900 of those receive envelopes.

Wow, that’s really sad. I know the parish I was complaining about is undergoing renovations and construction as well, and it’s hard to give to 2 parishes. I feel as though it’s my duty to give to both since I attend one and am a member of the other. I guess if I were teaching catechism at the current parish I’d switch over, but I rather teach it in Spanish, since I am more comfortable with the prayers and the Bible in Spanish. I attend Mass in English, but it’s a whole different story.

If I were wealthy, I would give lots, that was my unrealistic dream as a kid, to be one of those “wealthy” women who stayed at home, donated lots of money to the Church and volunteer at many charities. TV has a big impact on kids as you can see from that dream I had…

So, even the Music minister is a paid person? I thought all who belong to any ministry were volunteers. I knew the rectory needs employees, but didn’t know the music people were paid staff. Gosh, if other denominations can do it all as volunteers, why can’t the CC do it? Even the JWs do it all free of charge, except for those of the governing body… I would NEVER accept money for anything I did for the CC. I believe the priest and some other staff should always get paid, but for some things, I wish people would just do it because they wanted to do some more for the parish… shows how much I know…

 

[yessisan]

Perhaps you should encourage your parish to become a Stewardship Parish. We are all Stewards - everything we have comes from God and we need to give back to God.

Once a parish internalises the spirituality of Stewardship the contributions flow - whether the contributions be Treasure or Time and Talent.

My poor parish became a Stewardship Parish in 1995. It was amazing. There is no need to “demand” more contributions. People give generously of their time, their talent and their treasure.

How does one go about becoming a Stweardhip Parish? How do you know which parishes are Stweardship Parishes? I wish all were, we all need to donate our time, but also need to donate money nontheless.

 

[YADA]

The Jewish people of the Hebrew Texts [OT to us] were given a place of honor in Go’d plan of salvation. They had Moses, th Law and the Prophets. They were also instructed on their stewardship role…Tithe 10%, giving to Gad the first fruits, the Sabbath rest [which was the 7th day for worship, the seventh year for other things like leaving the filed to lay fallow every 7th years - a good practice to let the land rejuvinate, the Jubilee years when slaves were set free and all debts forgiven].

I hear often how we are not OT people and we do not have to Tithe 10% or any specified amount. We are to give from "our hearts". I have seen that in these posts along with a condemnation of anyone who might call us to account. I see references to giving ‘what I can’ etc.

Well, I just have a few observations:

First of all when Ananias and his wife sold their property and gave the proceeds to the church [but held back some for themselves] Peter called them to task and they were struck dead. Now there are* no priests that I am aware and who may lack tact in requesting parish support* who have had a parishioner die for their lack of charity!

---

Secondly; All that we possess, our abilities used to obtain work, our talents, everything is a gift from God. While we are not given a specified amount [like the 10%] were are called to give according to what we have been given.

Now the question becomes what have we been given? First and most important: We have been given our salvation and that salvation came at the hishest price…The death of Jesus on the cross for our sins! Thankfully, Jesus did not say no one had the right to question His gift and he gave only what he could [which means from His leftovers - the abundance]

Jesus founded a Church to assist us in our salvation. A plavce at which to come and partake of the Eucharist, the learn the scriptures, receive Reconcilliation. A place to come and be baptized and married. A place to become family, united, one as JEsus and the Father are One.

The challenge for Christians is to give according to what we have been given…TIME, TALENT and TREASURE

If being given Moses, the Law and the Prophets meant 10%…

How much more is expected and should be given from our hearts for the sacraficial atonement of Jesus?

We are called to give from our NEED not from our EXCESS…

A starting place for Christians is 10% [and for those in poverty who truly cannot begin there they need to give as the Widow did with her mite - which was not after her needs were taken care of but before]. 4% to 5% in support of the parish…1% support of the Diocese and 5% in support of other charitable causes. A place to start…then you should look at where you can increase your thanksgiving to God for all that you have received.

If you contribute TIME, TALENT annd TREASURE without feeling the gift…you have not truly given of yourself…IMHO

 

[Sheeniac]

The Music Minister may or may not be a paid position. It varies. I assume if a parish has no one volunteer to do it, they must pay someone.

I sit in the 3rd pew typically, so I never see who gives or doesn’t give. God sees who gives, and that’s all that matters to me. Many parishes have electronic donations from bank accounts nowdays, so the fact that someone is dropping in money into the basket means nothing.

I ALWAYS use my envelopes, but I assume they track donations more easily for my tax records that way.

 

[yessisan]

The Jewish people of the Hebrew Texts [OT to us] were given a place of honor in Go’d plan of salvation. They had Moses, th Law and the Prophets. They were also instructed on their stewardship role…Tithe 10%, giving to Gad the first fruits, the Sabbath rest [which was the 7th day for worship, the seventh year for other things like leaving the filed to lay fallow every 7th years - a good practice to let the land rejuvinate, the Jubilee years when slaves were set free and all debts forgiven].

I hear often how we are not OT people and we do not have to Tithe 10% or any specified amount. We are to give from "our hearts". I have seen that in these posts along with a condemnation of anyone who might call us to account. I see references to giving ‘what I can’ etc.

Well, I just have a few observations:

First of all when Ananias and his wife sold their property and gave the proceeds to the church [but held back some for themselves] Peter called them to task and they were struck dead. Now there are* no priests that I am aware and who may lack tact in requesting parish support* who have had a parishioner die for their lack of charity!

Secondly; All that we possess, our abilities used to obtain work, our talents, everything is a gift from God. While we are not given a specified amount [like the 10%] were are called to give according to what we have been given.

Now the question becomes what have we been given? First and most important: We have been given our salvation and that salvation came at the hishest price…The death of Jesus on the cross for our sins! Thankfully, Jesus did not say no one had the right to question His gift and he gave only what he could [which means from His leftovers - the abundance]

Jesus founded a Church to assist us in our salvation. A plavce at which to come and partake of the Eucharist, the learn the scriptures, receive Reconcilliation. A place to come and be baptized and married. A place to become family, united, one as JEsus and the Father are One.

The challenge for Christians is to give according to what we have been given…TIME, TALENT and TREASURE

If being given Moses, the Law and the Prophets meant 10%…

How much more is expected and should be given from our hearts for the sacraficial atonement of Jesus?

We are called to give from our NEED not from our EXCESS…

A starting place for Christians is 10% [and for those in poverty who truly cannot begin there they need to give as the Widow did with her mite - which was not after her needs were taken care of but before]. 4% to 5% in support of the parish…1% support of the Diocese and 5% in support of other charitable causes. A place to start…then you should look at where you can increase your thanksgiving to God for all that you have received.

If you contribute TIME, TALENT annd TREASURE without feeling the gift…you have not truly given of yourself…IMHO

The CC doesn’t even require us to give 10% any more, but yes, it’d be nice if it did, just as they did in Mexico not too long ago. In Mexico you had 10% of your check deducted and given to the Church, but we aren’t living in OT times. That doesn’t apply to us any longer. Do you eat pork? Well, if you do, why do you if you try to live with OT rules.

If the CC made it a requirement to give 10%, then w/no questions asked, I’d do it.

And I don’t know why you say

If you contribute TIME, TALENT annd TREASURE without feeling the gift…you have not truly given of yourself…

who is this for? Me? What gift? God’s gift of life? Who said I don’t feel it? I’m alive, aren’t I? I contribute those 3 things, don’t I? If you can give 10% of your salary, then by all means, good for you, I’m sure your place in heaven is already waiting for you. But just because I cannot afford to give 10% I’m a bad Catholic. I’m done with this thread.

 

[mystified]

There was certainly a deficit in tact.

I stopped contributing to my former parish for a number of reasons, but continued to support other Catholic institutions.

There was a ray of sunshine in the parish, or “Catholic Community” where I heard Mass last Sunday, the Bishop of Orange has forgiven almost a million dollars of debt to the diocese that was incurred by an arson fire.

The parish still will be paying back with about 25% of its monthly income for the next 15 years. The pastor made a simple statement of fact and did not demand anything.

 

[sprout]

I’ve heard a good rule of thumb is that we should *at least *give what we earn in an hour each week. So, for example, if you’re earning $10.00/hr you give $10.00 each week in the collection. This is well below 10%, but it’s easy to remember and certainly easy to do. It doesn’t “break the bank” for me to donate one hour of work to my parish each week.

As Catholics were are obligated to support our Parish:

From these obligatory and optional relations existing between the laity and the clergy there arise certain duties of the former towards the latter. In the first place, respect and deference should be shown to the clergy, especially in the exercise of their function, on account of their sacred character and the Divine authority with which they are invested (Conc. Trid., Sess. XXV, c. xx). This respect should be shown in daily intercourse, and laymen inspired with a truly Christian spirit do homage to God in the person of His ministers, even when the conduct of the latter is not in keeping with the sanctity of their state. In the second place the laity are obliged, in proportion to their means and circumstances of the case, to contribute towards the expenses of Divine service and the fitting support of the clergy; this is an obligation incumbent on them in return for the right which they have to the services of their priests with regard to the Mass and other spiritual exercises. newadvent.org/cathen/08748a.htm

I seem to also recall that the Baltimore Catechism says it’s a sin against the 5th commandment to fail in this obligation to support.
ourladyswarriors.org/faith/bc3-36.htm

Q. 1356. Are we obliged to contribute to the support of our pastors?

A. We are obliged to contribute to the support of our pastors, and to bear our share in the expense of the Church and school.

Q. 1357. Where did the duty of contributing to the support of the Church and clergy originate?

A. The duty of contributing to the support of the Church and clergy originated in the Old Law, when God commanded all the people to contribute to the support of the temple and of its priests.

Q. 1358. What does the obligation of supporting the Church and school imply?

A. The obligation of supporting the Church and school implies the duty of making use of the Church and school by attending religious worship in the one and by giving Catholic education in the other; because if the Church and school were not necessary for our spiritual welfare we would not be commanded to support them.

Q. 1359. Does the fifth commandment of the Church include the support only of our pastors and the Church and school?

A. The fifth commandment of the Church includes the support also of our holy father, the Pope, bishops, priests, missions, religious institutions and religion in general.

 

[YADA]

The CC doesn’t even require us to give 10% any more, but yes, it’d be nice if it did, just as they did in Mexico not too long ago. In Mexico you had 10% of your check deducted and given to the Church, but we aren’t living in OT times. That doesn’t apply to us any longer. Do you eat pork? Well, if you do, why do you if you try to live with OT rules.

If the CC made it a requirement to give 10%, then w/no questions asked, I’d do it.

And I don’t know why you say
Quote:
If you contribute TIME, TALENT annd TREASURE without feeling the gift…you have not truly given of yourself…
who is this for? Me? What gift? God’s gift of life? Who said I don’t feel it? I’m alive, aren’t I? I contribute those 3 things, don’t I? If you can give 10% of your salary, then by all means, good for you, I’m sure your place in heaven is already waiting for you. But just because I cannot afford to give 10% I’m a bad Catholic. I’m done with this thread

I noted that if you are truly in poverty then you give what you can…but you should give as the widow did with her “widows mite” who gave more than the rich man who gave 10% but for whom the 10% was an abundance.

I am sorry you missed the point of my discussion…We have been given muchh more than the OT Jews for whom the 10% was was expected…

You seem to thisnk because we are free to give what our hearts demand that giving back to God becomes optional or less important.

What was the gift that Jesus gave us? I am not judging you. the point of my discussion was to challenge the idea that we have some sort of free ride. We will be called to account for the hours of our day and the use we put them to. We will be called to account for the use we make of the skills and talent we have. We will be called to account for the money we have and how we use those funds. And everyone; from the welthiest money manager on Wall Street to the lowliest street person makes decisions about how and where to use all three. When you stand before Jesus on judgment day, that is when you will have to answer.

PS, I am not wealthy…I may have more now then I did when my children were young. When my three children were young we lived in a single wide 2 bedromm, 1 bath mobile home. At various times other family members lived in that home with us. I do not feel like I was deprived, nor were we poor as some may have thought, we just did not have a lot of money.

In my younger days I always felt I had more time than money. I donated more time than money, I donated blood which took time and had a value [in fact I like giving blood as I have no idea who the person is I am helping nor any thing about them] I gave money that I probably could not afford [that is what I was told]. But God has been very generous with me…I do not look at my resources and see what is left over, then give some of that to God.

Personally, I make God a priority, not the after thought. I am humbled every day by the sacrafice of Jesus on my behalf…He has asked me to be his hands and heart for the world, that takes time, talent and treasure…

 

[yessisan]

I noted that if you are truly in poverty then you give what you can…but you should give as the widow did with her “widows mite” who gave more than the rich man who gave 10% but for whom the 10% was an abundance.

I am sorry you missed the point of my discussion…We have been given muchh more than the OT Jews for whom the 10% was was expected…

You seem to thisnk because we are free to give what our hearts demand that giving back to God becomes optional or less important.

What was the gift that Jesus gave us? I am not judging you. the point of my discussion was to challenge the idea that we have some sort of free ride. We will be called to account for the hours of our day and the use we put them to. We will be called to account for the use we make of the skills and talent we have. We will be called to account for the money we have and how we use those funds. And everyone; from the welthiest money manager on Wall Street to the lowliest street person makes decisions about how and where to use all three. When you stand before Jesus on judgment day, that is when you will have to answer.

PS, I am not wealthy…I may have more now then I did when my children were young. When my three children were young we lived in a single wide 2 bedromm, 1 bath mobile home. At various times other family members lived in that home with us. I do not feel like I was deprived, nor were we poor as some may have thought, we just did not have a lot of money.

In my younger days I always felt I had more time than money. I donated more time than money, I donated blood which took time and had a value [in fact I like giving blood as I have no idea who the person is I am helping nor any thing about them] I gave money that I probably could not afford [that is what I was told]. But God has been very generous with me…I do not look at my resources and see what is left over, then give some of that to God.

Personally, I make God a priority, not the after thought. I am humbled every day by the sacrafice of Jesus on my behalf…He has asked me to be his hands and heart for the world, that takes time, talent and treasure…

I apologize for taking your comments to heart. I can see that you are a humble soul. I wish I could give more, so as you did, I give more time than money, and yes, God should be everyone’s priority. The Bible does say

My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

God did provide when my DH was out of work because of an accident at work, had surgery, was hospitalized and had to go thru physical therapy… God helped us get thru it, God has helped us a lot, in return I try to give and do what I can. I didn’t want to make people think I don’t want to give more, it’s just that the way our parish gave the message was a bit harsh. But maybe that was the only way to do it. I did see on the bulletin today that only 265 parish members out of 1000 are contributing to the expenses of the parish. This is really sad. I’d hate to have our priest suffer the consequences on his salary because there isn’t enough money, I’ll take a look at what could be cut from our lives so I can give at least what I make in one hour’s worth of work. I just want to point out that we’re newlyweds and are still trying to adjust to all the finanial changes and responsilities. I lived with my mom and never paid rent, he lived w/his sister and paid $250 in rent, but the debts are big, my college loans, health insurance, home bills, car insurance, etc… So, we still need to find a balance, and with my boss always going on vacation when I have to be paid, I always have to get money out of my 401k to be able to pay for things. She does it every month and doesn’t care I have things to pay. Thank God my DH is back at work as of last week…

Back to the topic… I know the only way parishes get money is thru us and many don’t want to give, or think they don’t have to give. I know it’s our responsibility.

But someone here mentioned they can write their donations off their taxes? Why would anybody do that? Is it allowed? Either way, I don’t and won’t. The money I give to the CC is money for the CC, and I will not take it as a tax write off, it doesn’t fit my POV.