What's appropriate?

[Mommy2adc]

My daughter and I have a very exciting day coming up soon, when she will be baptised and I will be received into the church!

So my question is; I would like to express my appreciation to our priest for taking the time to guide me through the RCIA process, but I’m unsure of what is appropriate in this circumstance and if there are rules that govern the priest in accepting gifts? Like would it be okay if I got him a card and gift certificate for somewhere, or a small gift? I’ve heard some people give cards with money in them to the priest for baptisms…is this true?

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Trishie]

You don’t have to do anything like that, but it is a lovely idea, to show the priest personal appreciation. If you do give him a gift, any of those ideas mentioned seem fine. As you wouldn’t know which specific gift, a little money in a card would give him most freedom in choosing some little thing for himself that he needs perhaps.

Warm congratulations to you and your daughter.
I praise and thank God for the graces you have received and welcomed.
May God continue to bless you both, and all your loved ones.

 

[fred_conty]

My daughter and I have a very exciting day coming up soon, when she will be baptised and I will be received into the church!

So my question is; I would like to express my appreciation to our priest for taking the time to guide me through the RCIA process, but I’m unsure of what is appropriate in this circumstance and if there are rules that govern the priest in accepting gifts? Like would it be okay if I got him a card and gift certificate for somewhere, or a small gift? I’ve heard some people give cards with money in them to the priest for baptisms…is this true?

Any advice is appreciated!

Hi,
Yes to the above. The priest can accept gifts. It is usual to give a donation at Baptism.
At Christmas, many give baked goods as Christmas gifts.

 

[powerlinemom]

Within the span of a year and a half or so, our priest led us through getting our marriage convalidated, baptized our newest son, heard our confessions, and taught most of the RCIA classes that I went through in order to receive confirmation and first communion. Between the members of my family I think we received all of the sacraments except Holy Orders and (thankfully!) anointing of the sick! During the course of RCIA, Father had mentioned that he liked to collect stamps from the Vatican. So when everything was over, I thought that might make a nice small thank you gift. I found an online stamp seller that had a set of all the stamps from the year that he was ordained, so I got him those along with a pretty card. If you wanted to do something more personal than just money or a gift card, but don’t know what your priest likes you could always arrange to have a Mass said for him and give him the Mass card along with a personal note of thanks.

 

[LTJR]

 Mommy-

I would suggest that you express your gratitude toward the priest who helped you through the RCIA process, when there is hardly anyone around chatting with the priest go up to him and thank him. I often stumble for the right words especially when you are talking to a priest. Some people make something religious like a cloth item or food item as a way to express appreciation but it is really what you feel comfortable with. He will understand your gratitude if your intentions are very good which I am sure they are and you are humble in the process.