From: mjsmith@cac.washington.edu (Martha Smith )
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic
Subject: Re: contributions
Date: 30 Dec 1992 23:25:39 GMT
Organization: UW Computing
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: redx.cac.washington.edu
Keywords: money

In article <C03GFG.4pq@unix.portal.com>, zerucha@shell.portal.com (Thomas E Zerucha) writes:
|>[stuff deleted]
|> I think that parishes have two problems.  1.  Most people don't know where the
|> money goes so there is no feedback as to how much need there is.  2.  If they
|> did know some of the places, they would actively cut the paltry sums they give
|> now.
|> 
|> [stuff deleted]  Right now, if I want to
|> support a soup kitchen, retired religous, or missions, I have to give directly
|> to them.  Today, the dollars that go into the collection plate are equally
|> likely to go into something non or pseudo catholic as to something that will
|> bolster the Church.
|> 
|> This is by no means a blanked indictment of all diosces or churches.  If you
|> happen to be in a strong, traditional, healthy area you shoul give thanks for
|> God's mercy.  My point is that there are lukewarm parishes that should not
|> ask for more than lukewarm support, and those who desire to abandon orthodoxy
|> that should not ask the faithful to participate in a self-destructive act,
|> even financially.
|> 
|>
Here (and I thought it was canonical law not archidiocesan policy) a parish is
required to have a lay finance commission.  Each parish is strongly encouraged
to have an advisory parish pastoral council elected by the parishioners.  The
commission and council work with the pastor to develop a budget and produce
regular financial reports.  Those who complain that they don't know where
their money is going are the ones who don't read the regular reports in the
bulletin or posted in the vestibule or available in the parish office.

Our particular parish tithes to support missions, retired religious or similar
projects each year.  We have monthly collections to support the Sunday Feed-in
(free meals but certainly no soup kitchen) of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
I'd dare anyyone to find "non or pseudo catholic" projects supported by the
collection - though a small amount goes to Ecumenical projects supported by
the parish.

Of course (sarcasm intended) I live a strong, traditional, healthy area (who
brought you Archbishop Hunthausen - whom I truly respect).

My point is, we do have input (though not control) over how the collections are
spent and our gift is to God through the auspices of the Church not to our
particular parish or pastor.  If a pastor is abusing his authority in the
disbursement of funds, the issue should be taken to the bishop.  If the bishop
is abusing his authority, it should be taken to the Vatican.  But my individual
bent (I'd tend never to repair the church) should not be taken as a measure
against which I judge the pastor's stewardship or my responsibility.

In our parish (which is relatively poor - students and retirees) our pastor
as increased collections by stressing the responsibility: all must give back to
God either time or money as they see fit.  The archdiocesan stewardship
program aims at 5% to the church, 5% to other charities ... we pass out the
literature and ask that they give whatever they feel appropriate - time,
money or prayers - and not feel guilty if it is only the latter.  But I also
believe that if a parish successfully promotes spiritual growth, one effect of
that growth is an increased desire to support the parish.  And spiritual growth
unfortunately is not always viewed as traditional or orthodox (e.g. St. Catherine of Siena whose biography I happen to be reading).