Second Collection for Music Department

[RosalieM]

Many times our second collection will be for SVDP, missions, disasters, local poor, etc. I have no problem with that. But lately it seems to me that there are more second collections for the parish music department and I have a problem with that. The main collection is for the upkeep of the building, stipends, utilities, etc. so that too is totally okay with me.
Why can’t they take the music dept. out of the main collection?

 

[promethius]

Many times our second collection will be for SVDP, missions, disasters, local poor, etc. I have no problem with that. But lately it seems to me that there are more second collections for the parish music department and I have a problem with that. The main collection is for the upkeep of the building, stipends, utilities, etc. so that too is totally okay with me.
Why can’t they take the music dept. out of the main collection?

(emphasis mine)

Then don’t put anything in the second collection. Perhaps they feel that it’s a cause for something which will be good for the parish, but isn’t NECESSARY, and they don’t want to force people to contribute to an optional item. If you don’t feel inclined to contribute to additional goods such as this, then the best solution is don’t.

 

[CaptCrunch73]

(emphasis mine)

Then don’t put anything in the second collection. Perhaps they feel that it’s a cause for something which will be good for the parish, but isn’t NECESSARY, and they don’t want to force people to contribute to an optional item. If you don’t feel inclined to contribute to additional goods such as this, then the best solution is don’t.

I’d have to agree with this advice. Depending on what the second collection is for I’ll give nothing up to the same amount as the first collection depending on the cause.

 

[RosalieM]

(emphasis mine)

Then don’t put anything in the second collection. Perhaps they feel that it’s a cause for something which will be good for the parish, but isn’t NECESSARY, and they don’t want to force people to contribute to an optional item. If you don’t feel inclined to contribute to additional goods such as this, then the best solution is don’t.

A similar thought came to my mind. It probably doesn’t matter to them whether I give to the music department or not.
They usually say something or have a missionary give a brief talk if the second collection is for the poor and needy.
Thanks, all, for your (name removed by moderator)ut.
God bless you all.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

A thought came to mind when I read this.

I have seen many threads here at CAF that talk about how “banal” and generally undesireable the music is in many parishes.

I do know from friends who are, that being a music director is not easy, especially when you are relying on “volunteers” and the people expect *professional quality. *
And then there are instuments to maintain,
special musical pieces for Holy Days & hymnals to buy, etc.
None of this stuff is cheap, and in days of streched budgets,
many parishes are *“making do with what we’ve got”,
*and fixing the church roof, rather than spending money on anything for the music program.

With the Missal changes coming in November, there are also going to be new musical settings,
so the music department will either need to purchace updates for what they already use or buy new hymnals- as I said, not cheap!!

Music is a very important part of the Mass experience for me, so I, for one, would give to this 2nd collection until it hurt!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I long ago decided to put what I choose to give in the first collection and leave it to the powers that be to split up as they judge proper.

Second collections get people in the habit of dropping in a quarter I guess $1 these days] whenever the basket goes by. They then wonder why people do not donate more. It would be better if they would educate people to the Church’s need and take one collection. Their attempts to do this are sabotaged by the multiple collections which are continued.

 

[RosalieM]

I long ago decided to put what I choose to give in the first collection and leave it to the powers that be to split up as they judge proper.

Second collections get people in the habit of dropping in a quarter I guess $1 these days] whenever the basket goes by. They then wonder why people do not donate more. It would be better if they would educate people to the Church’s need and take one collection. Their attempts to do this are sabotaged by the multiple collections which are continued.

Good point. In doing something like this, I’d give more in the main collection.
I recall being strapped and dividing up my donation so the main one was less.