Pass The Collection Basket?

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Reverent_Howler

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The pastor, upon returning from a retreat, instituted Passing The Collection Basket, rather than have the ushers make use of the usual baskets on poles. So each of use pew-warmers become auxiliary ushers by having to move that basket–sometimes across an entire row. It’s becomes awkward especially when the next person happens to be a nun in street clothes. I’ve had to do this a number of times. Am I entitled to crash the usher’s Christmas Party now?
 
If someone, be they a nun or a layperson, does not wish to pass the basket, one simply hands it on to the next person or to the people in the pew behind.
 
This is the way it was in the church I grew up in, and in the church I attended in college. When I moved to this city and saw baskets on poles I thought it was really odd…like the ushers were going to jab me with it if I forgot my envelope and didn’t have a contribution.

Passing the basket isn’t that big of a task once you get used to it.
 
We regularly pass the basket at our parish. A church we go to when we visit the Jersey Shore uses baskets. I don’t see a problem with either way.
 
Which is what I had to do. I walked almost as much as the so-called Usher.
 
Have you written to the bishop to inform him of the abuses occurring at this parish? I mean, I’m sure if we try really, really hard, we can find a Canon Law violation in there somewhere. Maybe people didn’t align all of their envelopes toward the east?
/sarcasm

Sorry…I’ve read too many comments on here this morning over nonsensical issues.
 
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We are called to serve one another. Be glad to serve in this small way.

While you are at Mass, and as you are leaving, take care of anything (within reason) that needs attention. See some trash? Pick it up. Missals left out? Put them away. It’s your church; take care of it.

Forget about “That’s not my job.” It is your job. Rejoice in your labors! God bless you.
 
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Interesting. I’ve only seen the pass the basket in one parish. Every other Mass I’ve attended has had the baskets on poles.
 
That makes you eligible for the annual usher ball. Don’t forget the $200 dues for membership. Helps pay for the ball (usually in one of the parish meeting rooms), the hired garage band, the Mc Donalds catering service, and repair and replacement of worn out collection baskets.
 
Every parish I’ve ever been a part of just has people pass the basket around. I’ve only run into the basket on poles once during vacation and once at a basilica. It’s not much of a problem to get up and walk the basket if needed when there’s a gap in people or just pass it around a person who’s not paying attention/won’t pass it. Though I haven’t ever run into a person that refuses to at least pass the basket on.
 
Reverent_Howler said:
It’s becomes awkward especially when the next person happens to be a nun in street clothes.
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If the nun (by which you mean sister) acts like a jerk because someone gave her a collection basket, your parish has other issues.
 
Reverent_Howler said:
The pastor, upon returning from a retreat, instituted Passing The Collection Basket, rather than have the ushers make use of the usual baskets on poles. So each of use pew-warmers become auxiliary ushers by having to move that basket–sometimes across an entire row. It’s becomes awkward especially when the next person happens to be a nun in street clothes. I’ve had to do this a number of times. Am I entitled to crash the usher’s Christmas Party now?
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I understand having a passed basket in parishes where you cannot reach everyone with the pole baskets. But I don’t understand switching to the passed baskets.

The only possible thing I can think of is perhaps some priests think that passing the baskets actually encourages some people to put money in the basket when they would normally not. 🤷‍♂️
 
Cruciferi said:
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phil19034:
perhaps some priests think that passing the baskets actually encourages some people to put money in the basket when they would normally not.
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Peer Pressure!
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yes, indeed
 
I don’t feel peer pressure either way.

I actually prefer the passing of the basket because I can less conspicuously put in the money, unnoticed if possible.
Matthew 6:1-4
“[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
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RandomAlias said:
I don’t feel peer pressure either way.

I actually prefer the passing of the basket because I can less conspicuously put in the money, unnoticed if possible.
Matthew 6:1-4
“[But] take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
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Online giving solves that
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