Tithing, where does it go?

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Not sure if this was the right place to put this question…

What does the money from tithes get used for?

Thanks!

-Grey
 
What does the money from tithes get used for?

It is used in taking care of God’s priests. Just like as requested by God in Malachi 3:10.
Tithes are still being given in Churches in my Country. Though I still learned that it isn’t given in some parishes. I think the priests in a particular parish normally decides how he wants it done. My parish priest classified every second sunday of the month as tithe/project sunday offering.
The collections other than tithe, is used by the priest for many things including repairs in the church, for the poor and for sending whenever requested by the bishop for people suffering from natural and man-made disasters any where in the world.
Hope I answered your questions satisfactorily?
 
Some Catholic Churches still have tithe activities.
It is used in taking care of God’s priests. Just like as requested by God in Malachi 3:10.
Tithes are still being given in Churches in my Country. Though I still learned that it isn’t given in some parishes. I think the priests in a particular parish normally decides how he wants it done. My parish priest classified every sunday as tithe/project sunday.
 
I’m sure each parish is a little different. So you could always ask. I’m sure they’d be happy to let you know.

Some money will go towards the priest’s living expenses.

Some money will go to maintenance and upkeep of the Church building: heating, electric, water, light bulbs, repair, etc., etc.

Some money goes to pay for the liturgical things we all depend on: hosts and wine for Communion, vestments, liturgical books, etc., etc.

Most parishes I know set money aside to help parishioners who are in need.

Some money will go towards whatever programs your parish runs: catechesis of children, RCIA, coffee and donut gatherings, Bible studies, youth ministry, sacramental prep, etc., etc. Many times these programs will charge something of those who participate, but it is almost never the full cost. The difference is offeset by the parish.

And I’m sure there are a thousand other things I’m not thinking of at the moment. But this gives you a general idea. If you want more specifics, ask your pastor (or someone on the parish finance council).
 
GreyRabbit said:
Yes. Or maybe not my parish exactly, but in general.

Thanks!
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The secretary at your parish probably has a print out that shows the break down of what was actually spent last year. In fact, the parish probably has a break down of what is needed each month for the normal up keep and running of the parish.

Remember there are employees of the parish who need to be paid - secretary, music director, maintenance team, etc.

There are bills to be paid - electric, water, trash service.

Money is needed for upkeep of the building.

There is insurance to be paid for the property and items in the parish.

Cost from the music department to purchase new music. There is a charge for each sheet of sheet music that each musician/choir member is using. Cantors may be paid for cantoring at Mass. Special musicians may be brought in for a special Mass and paid for their services - trumpet player.

New altar server robes. Example: a really short server or a really tall server begins serving Mass and the proper size robe needs to be purchased.

There are actual cost for supplies needed for Mass - Host, Communion Wine, Candles, Flowers.

Does the parish have hymnals that include the Mass readings or do they purchase the paper seasonal books with the Mass readings? Both have a cost to the parish.

The Religious Education program needs money for books, supplies, etc. The parish may help the Catholic Youth Ministry pay for part or all of an event that the Youth may attend with the Diocese Youth programs.

The parish may host a Parish Dinner and supply part of the meal. The parish may host a Reception for the whole parish or for a specific group - ex: First Communion Reception.

The parish may have places that they donate to each month… money to a Pregnancy Center, a homeless shelter, a scholarship program for Catholic Schools - maybe to Catholic Schools that are not actually part of the parish.

There may be money the parish pays to the Diocese.

If you look around your parish and imagine that it was your business - where would you need to write a check to keep things going? That’s where the money goes… plus money the parish donates to other places.

On the idea of tithing: It is sometimes suggested that we donated 5% to our parish, 4% to our diocese, and 1% to other worthy causes. You actually have the option to decide how to donate your gifts to God. We are asked to give of our Time, Talents, and Treasures to God.

Peace.
 
GreyRabbit said:
Not sure if this was the right place to put this question…

What does the money from tithes get used for?

Thanks!

-Grey
Click to expand...
I used to volunteer in our parishes office when we lived in California. The money went to pay the bills. Electricity, gas, water, sewer, upkeep for the buildings and grounds, that sort of thing. Health insurance for the priest was ridiculously expensive (because health insurance is ridiculously expensive). And of course, money for the priests expenses…

In our parish we were barely able to cover the expenses most of the time and sometime couldn’t even do that (and it was the only parish in the entire 70 plus mile wide county)… so each penny was pinched as much as it possibly could be!
 
RedSoxWife said:
I used to volunteer in our parishes office when we lived in California. The money went to pay the bills. Electricity, gas, water, sewer, upkeep for the buildings and grounds, that sort of thing. Health insurance for the priest was ridiculously expensive (because health insurance is ridiculously expensive). And of course, money for the priests expenses…

In our parish we were barely able to cover the expenses most of the time and sometime couldn’t even do that (and it was the only parish in the entire 70 plus mile wide county)… so each penny was pinched as much as it possibly could be!
Click to expand...
Also, on occasion occasional collections are conducted to build new buildings (in some places in this country, there actually are more Massgoers than pews to hold them in), and of course to the diocese, who uses it to fund things like Catholic schools and other apostolates on a diocesan basis. Then there is Peter’s Pence, voluntary donations given to the Pope historically for his maintenance, but in living memory has gone to charity.
 
In our diocese, 10% goes to the diocese (8% for general expenses + 2% for “retired priests fund”). In my parish the rest goes to pay the priest’s salary, food, the upkeep of the church & rectory, insurance, car maintenance, church supplies, part-time maintenance man, snow removal, etc.
 
We have full disclosure where all monies are spent/sent. Full accountability keeps everything above board.
 
jericho777 said:
We have full disclosure where all monies are spent/sent. Full accountability keeps everything above board.
Click to expand...
I am not so sure of this everywhere. I wonder if any money is spent to pay off boyfriends of priests or to pay extortion. Seriously. I bet it has happened in the past.
 
If you have full disclosure of the money, you are in a rare parish. I have been on three different parish finance councils and I was appalled at the looseness of the bookkeeping systems. This would not be tolerated in any corporation. Any suggestions for improvements, well the priests generally were not interested at all.

A better system would be that the priests handle the spiritual side of things and the laity handle the physical and financial side.
 
GreyRabbit said:
Not sure if this was the right place to put this question…

What does the money from tithes get used for?

Thanks!

-Grey
Click to expand...
In our parish - 10% goes to the Eparchy (diocese), right off the top.

The rest pays the secretary, the heat, the lights, the maintenance expenses, and the wine and incense bills. And every so often, emergency aid to those in need.

We have quarterly full disclosure, in accord with the guidelines of the Eparchy of the Holy Protection of Mary guidelines.
It’s often pretty tight.

The pastor is paid by the Eparchy. The deacons aren’t paid.

Someone donated roof repairs this month. Several thousand dollars worth of parts and labor. Pray for them.
 
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