Varying fees for confirmation from parish to parish

[bqsanc]

I have never heard of a parish charging to do a baptism or first Holy Communion. It seems to be custom to give the priest some sort of offering for the baptism, but it is definitely not required (at least where we had our son baptized).

Parishes do charge for the use of the church for a wedding, which seems reasonable when you invite 300+ people. But you can get married at a pre-scheduled mass for free, or at least you should be able to.

It can seem like the Church is charging for sacraments, but it is usually a fee for exclusive use of the church building for a large gathering.

Except for Holy Communion and reconciliation (confession), it is standard practice in most (if not all) dioceses in the Philippines to charge fees for the sacraments.

 

[puzzleannie]

there is no fee for confirmation, first communion, baptism or any other sacrament
repeat, There Is No Fee for a Sacrament

there is often a fee for classes and other preparation for the sacrament, for religious education in general (which should be throughout the school years for children, not just for sacramental prep) and for the various material requirements including use of the common parish space.

the reason for the disparity of fees for these things is:

1. the real cost to the parish of filling its dual mission to evangelize and sanctify. these expenses, and don’t forget overhead of maintenance of parish property and salaries, has gone up as has everything else. They also vary in different parts of the country, even from parish to parish.
2. the philosophy of the bishop, pastor and his advisory commission on the extent to which the entire diocese and parish should subsidize all or part of these real costs.
3. given the philosophy, the extent to which the laity of the entire diocese and parish tithe, exercise stewardship spiritiuality and make it possible to meet those material costs.

The area most of us struggle with and that is the foundation of discussion in this and similar threads is #2, and that is where we should direct our attention. If the philosophy is as it should be, that it is the mission of the parish to evangelize and to bring people into the sacramental life of the Church, then it follows that #3 must be in place, and all members of the parish should contribute materially as well as in time and talent to carry out that mission.

[edited]

 

[puzzleannie]

[edited]

There is NO fee for sacraments
say that 3 times, boys and girls

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Why do parishes charge a fee for doing sacraments like baptism, first holy communion, and other things? Arent they supposed to be free? Its something that all catholics have to do. What if they don’t have any money but need to baptize? Rather than fees, maybe they should do donations.

Parishes do not charge fees for Sacraments, to do so would be a major violation of Canon Law. Anyone is free to make a donation after if they want. There may be a charge for Sacramental preparation classes, however again parents are always free to teach their own children and prepare them themselves. As long as they meet the Diocesan requirements for preparation.

 

[TheDoctor]

There is NO fee for sacraments say that 3 times, boys and girls

There is NO fee for sacraments
There is NO fee for sacraments
There is NO fee for sacraments
(sorry, I’m one of those rule followers who does whatever the DRE asks )

P.S. - Just got a thought of Billy Mays (rest his soul) pitching the initiation sacraments at an Eastern Church:
"Yes, you get the Baptism AND the Eucharist, but WAIT, there’s more - if you get initiated right now we’ll throw in Confirmation for FREE! (just pay separate praying and fasting)…
Sorry…just on my morning break and it has already been a crazy day…

 

[Brendan]

Appparently some parishes in America even have there mass said in Latin!?

So does the UK, here is a list of UK Masses in Latin

latin-mass-society.org/supplement.pdf

I would be surprised if there was a major country where they did NOT have the Mass in Latin ( at least in those countries where the Mass is legally offered at all)

I used to travel extensively for business and I had little trouble in finding such Masses. It was certainly easier than learning enough Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Turkish, Korean and Portugese to follow along with the Mass

 

[mswood]

I am starting RCIA (tonight is our first meeting) and there is no fee for RCIA in my parish. However they charge $70 for the parish religous education for children. I wonder why it is that they charge a fee for the children but not for the adults.

 

[Corki]

I am starting RCIA (tonight is our first meeting) and there is no fee for RCIA in my parish. However they charge $70 for the parish religous education for children. I wonder why it is that they charge a fee for the children but not for the adults.

It’s to make sure you don’t change you mind because of the cost. Just kidding (sort of).

When you come to RCIA, the goal is to give you enough information so that you can chose to enter the Church. You aren’t a member of the Church yet so you aren’t usually expected to contribute to the parish’s expenses.

With Religious Education for children, the goal is to continue the education that has theoretically been going on since babyhood. This is the responsibility of the whole parish. Parents who pay a fee to cover or at least contribute to the continuing education of the parish’s children do so as part of thier stewardship to the parish.

On the topic of disparity, our parish charges a range of $25 to $100 for the same classes! This isn’t just the confirmation classes but all the RE classes. This sounds crazy but the $100 is for families who are not members of our parish but who want to send their kids to our RE because it is cheaper. (and yes, $100 is still cheaper than some other parishes nearby).

Our RE is probably the cheapest of any of the near-by parishes. There are several reasons for this. Our staff is 100% volunteer, even the DRE. We do not do retreats outside of the parish. Each teacher gets about $20 worth of supplies for the year and buys everything else they need themselves. While some of our classes meet in the CCE building, the rest meet in the church hall which means no expense for furniture, desks, whiteboards, etc. And even with that “bare bones” approach we probably waive about 1/3 of the fees for parishioners ($25) due to financial need each year.

Each parish has to do what works best based on the demographics and philosophy of the parish.

 

[puzzleannie]

There is NO fee for sacraments
There is NO fee for sacraments
There is NO fee for sacraments
(sorry, I’m one of those rule followers who does whatever the DRE asks )

…

thank you I see we have trained you well
and since you are already going crazy you should consider my job as you have one of the major qualifications

 

[puzzleannie]

I I wonder why it is that they charge a fee for the children but not for the adults.

because the members of your parish do not practice tithing or stewardship spirituality and your parish is unable to fund this program without charging fees to the families

Each parish has to do what works best based on the demographics and philosophy of the parish

amen what Corki says, if you don’t like the way any part of RE is done in your parish become part of the process and work for change and improvement. If you are not willing to become part of the process you will have less credibility if you have objections.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

There is no fee for the sacrament. There is a fee for the instruction classes.

Unless the parents step up to their responsibility and prepare their own children to receive the Sacraments.

 

[Zundrah]

So does the UK, here is a list of UK Masses in Latin

latin-mass-society.org/supplement.pdf

I would be surprised if there was a major country where they did NOT have the Mass in Latin ( at least in those countries where the Mass is legally offered at all)

I used to travel extensively for business and I had little trouble in finding such Masses. It was certainly easier than learning enough Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Turkish, Korean and Portugese to follow along with the Mass

But why do they have it in Latin! I spoke to a protestant who told me that he walked into a catholic church for the first time but they were doing the mass in Latin, so he walked out and never went into a catholic church again because he was so angry about it.

 

[rayne89]

We have a very large parish and we only pay $25. And actually all catechism classes after the year of confirmation are free.

 

[Corki]

But why do they have it in Latin! I spoke to a protestant who told me that he walked into a catholic church for the first time but they were doing the mass in Latin, so he walked out and never went into a catholic church again because he was so angry about it.

I just don’t understand this reaction. Confusion, yes, but anger? If he walked into an Orthodox Church and found them speaking Greek, would that anger him or a Jewish synagogue and heard them praying in Hebrew?

 

[whatevergirl]

You know what is weird though, rayne? (and others) Our parish is so teeny weeny right now…probably 100 parishioners total? Maybe? Maybe we’re all tithing though? That could be. For the number of people, looks like the contributions are high, from what I read in the weekly bulletin, so maybe that’s it. This church is slowly growing…mass was up in attendance, praise be to God! I love this parish. I am just happy that they can afford such a low fee like this, and have the program there. I thought maybe dd would have to go to a neighboring, larger parish (the one we didn’t care for) We’re excited, she’s officially signed up! Her saints name is Faustina. She just loves this special saint.

 

[psr13]

I checked one parish in the city I grew up in. The first year of confirmation is $95, and the second year is $195. This is in a very poor city, too.

 

[puzzleannie]

when price shopping find out what the fee includes, esp. the retreat, which is the priciest part, but if the bishop requires it, we do our best.

 

[whatevergirl]

I checked one parish in the city I grew up in. The first year of confirmation is $95, and the second year is $195. This is in a very poor city, too.

That’s high, especially in a poor city, where the parishioners are probably not able to pay the cost…sort of defeats the purpose.

 

[psr13]

That’s high, especially in a poor city, where the parishioners are probably not able to pay the cost…sort of defeats the purpose.

That’s what I though. It’s cheaper in many of the much wealthier churches.

 

[puzzleannie]

for everyone in a parish where they consider RE fees and costs associated with sacramental prep to be too high: demand and keep demanding of your pastor the reasons why the parish has not yet adopted stewardship spirituality, sacrificial giving i.e. tithing, in other words, why the parish does not regard evangelization and sacraments as fundamental to her mission.