Why do we have to pay for everything?

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Question ? I really like being a member of the catholic church. But I have some “issues” with having to pay for things like masses, candles, mothers day and fathers day mass cards. Like we have to give money to the catholic church so God will hear our prayers. I don’t think so. I love the idea of praying in these forms but why should I have to give money to an organization to pray like this. It’s not like the catholic church is running low on funds .Lol. I don’t know it just seems odd to pay a third party to get through to God.
 
Lane said:
I don’t know it just seems odd to pay a third party to get through to God.
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You’re not paying for prayers. That would be simony. You’re paying for altar bread, wine, candles, and cards. Making all of these things costs money.
 
Lane said:
masses, candles, mothers day and fathers day mass cards.
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To cover cost of materials. And I’m pretty sure you can get the fee waived if necessary.
But no, you can pray any time to God for free 🙂
 
The five precepts of the Catholic Church (note #5):
  1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
We must “sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord” (Sunday), as well as the principal feast days, known as Catholic holy days of obligation. This requires attending Mass, “and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.”
  1. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
We must prepare for the Eucharist by means of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). This sacrament “continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.”
  1. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
This “guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.”
  1. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
“The fourth precept ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.” See below for more about fasting & abstinence.
  1. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
“The fifth precept means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.”
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Okay that makes sense, but then why do we also have a collection basket. Wouldn’t the offertory money cover the cost of some of these ?
 
You might want to review the annual financial statement. It’s quite informative to see the income and the outgo.
 
Lane said:
Okay that makes sense, but then why do we also have a collection basket. Wouldn’t the offertory money cover the cost of some of these ?
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Who do you propose should pay the electric bill? Insurance? Building & parking lot repair & upkeep? Priest’s salary? Altar supplies? Staff pay? Office supplies?
 
The catholic church is one of the most wealthy and powerful organizations in the world. I think they got it. 🙂
 
Any church requires money to operate. Maybe you think that a priest should live off of light and oxygen, but they have to eat in reality. And every parish has its bills and upkeep.
 
True, but the money my church pulls in each week and my church hardly does anything. It’s kind of irritating to see them get all this money and we never do anything for ourselves or anyone else. We should be the light of the 🌎 world and we do nothing. Then wonder why things are the way they are. If we put our minds to it the Catholic Church could literally change the 🌎 World
 
Maybe your parish runs a school? Does other things that you are not aware of?
 
Lane said:
Question ? I really like being a member of the catholic church. But I have some “issues” with having to pay for things like masses, candles, mothers day and fathers day mass cards. Like we have to give money to the catholic church so God will hear our prayers. I don’t think so. I love the idea of praying in these forms but why should I have to give money to an organization to pray like this. It’s not like the catholic church is running low on funds .Lol. I don’t know it just seems odd to pay a third party to get through to God.
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Parishes need money to run. Even St. Paul talks about donations and even makes a financial appeal in one of his letters in the Bible.

If people gave a lot more money per paycheck, then the parishes wouldn’t have to nickel & dime every time there is program that requires additional resources.

But we don’t, therefore, they need to pass those additional charges onto the people who want them.

The members of Ancient Church often pulled their resources together (both time, talent and treasure) for the betterment of the community (aka parish). So it’s something that continues today - though many don’t donate as much as they should.

BTW - in regards to the Catholic church running out of funds, actually most parishes run at breakeven or worse in the red. Very few parishes are rolling in money.

Most dioceses do not have money and they are dependent on their parishes. And even the Vatican/Holy See doesn’t have a lot of money is often running at either at breakeven or in the red. Most of the church assets consists of land. Or things like art that cannot simply be sold because it belongs to the people of the parish/diocese/world.

God Bless
 
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Lane said:
but the money my church pulls in each week and my church hardly does anything
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You know this for a fact? Have you examined the books? What is the basic minimum monthly cost for the church to exist? Utilities, maintenance, staff salaries, etc.?
 
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Your parish will be supporting the community financially in ways you maybe don’t see. Rundowns of costs are available to the public upon request. We are called to support the church with our finances.
 
Utilities. We do nothing. Two weekend masses and three week day masses= 3 1/2 hours how much could utilities be ?
Maintenance and staff are mostly volunteers.
 
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