Mckenna Stewardship Newsletter
February 2008

# 44 - FEBRUARY 2008

“A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS” (PEOPLE)

Below are listed the names of our beautiful, dedicated, active witnesses, all 49 of them! We suggest they deserve a resounding ovation!
 

(Please feel free to use these comments in your bulletins. . . )

“Your observation is most accurate: charity is as much (or more) a benefit to the donor as it is to the recipient. Unfortunately, some in our parish don’t realize this, judging from the number who use their weekly envelopes. Perhaps some day we might be able to reach them.”

A parishioner
Rev. Paul T. Rindos
Mary, Mother of the Church, Mount Joy, PA

“Tithing has been my salvation. Returning to God a part of my income made me realize that I must return more of my time to those around me. Doing this has been rewarding here and hopefully hereafter.”

A parishioner
Rev. Brian E. Jeffries
St. Augustine, Seymour, CT

“Wonderful! You moved some of my adult children where I could not. Thank you!”

A parishioner
Rev. Frank J. Brauer
St. Francis Xavier, Hunt Valley, MD

“Week after week I am so happy to read about the success of our tithing program. What is so interesting is that as our weekly offerings rise, so do other collection as well. The speakers were right: ‘God never shortchanges us’.”

A parishioner
Rev. Anthony J. D’Angelico
Our Lady of Good Counsel, Southampton, PA

“We are blessed to have such a beautiful House of Worship. I sometimes take for granted what is necessary to keep it in repair and good order, I know that my tithe helps.”

A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. John E. Hart
St. Cecilia, Rockaway, NJ

“Each individual needs to return a tenth to God as much as the church needs the tithing. Actually the individual needs to do it more than the church needs to receive it. “

A parishioner
Rev. Fr. James W. Mayer
Our Lady of Lourdes, Philadelphia, PA

 

“Other appeals for money have sounded just like that: appeals for money. This was a challenge to our faith – to put our money where our mouth was. I honestly wish all spiritual matters were so simple.”

A parishioner
Rev. J. Bruce Jarboe
Holy Trinity, Glen Burnie, MD

“Families should involve their children in tithing by teaching them through word and by example the priority of returning to God a portions of the blessing He has given us. Children may do this through tithing their allowances or income from part-time jobs.”

A parishioner
Rev. Denis M. Dinan
Immaculate Conception/St. Mary’s, Port Jervis, NY

“As a new couple in the parish we found the tithing packet most informative. We are thankful for all the blessings from God and feel honored to be giving Him something in return.”

A parishioner
Rev. Joseph J. Nicolo
St. Helena, Blue Bell, PA

“Tithing is a very practical way to meet a Christian requirement, namely, the financial support of the Lord’s good works. I’m sure this is about the best way to solve the money worries that plague pastors and people alike.”

A parishioner
Rev. Richard J. Mc Andrews
Epiphany of Our Lord, Plymouth Meeting, PA

“I attended both Masses where the visitors spoke about their respective experiences regarding and others in increasing my contributions to the
Church and other worthwhile causes in the name of Our Lord. Wishing you continued success!”

A parishioner
Rev. Frank J. Brauer
St. Francis Xavier, Hunt Valley, MD

“It’s simple to tithe: you just give back 10 percent of what you earn to the source of your spiritual teachings. It’s done for the joy of giving. When you lovingly donate, the abundance starts to come to you in many ways.”

A parishioner
Rev. Timothy Dowling
St. Clare, Clifton, NJ

“Count me in for 5%. Wish I could do more! Good luck! All of Good Shepherd’s congregation needs to help!”

A parishioner
Rev. Paul C. Helwig
Good Shepherd, Camp Hill, PA

“As we complete the first six months of Tithing, I am full of joy and gratitude because of your response to God’s call. As you can see our parish has been able to improve our weekly income, and, even more importantly I believe, grow deeper in placing greater trust in God.”

Rev. Msgr. Richard Arnhols
St. John the Evangelist, Bergenfield, NJ

“According to an old saying “The world is divided into givers and takers; the takers eat well and the givers sleep well.” Jesus tells us that the Lord gives to the givers and takes from the takers. To all the generous givers, our deepest thanks.”

Rev. Brian E. Jeffries
St. Augustine, Seymour, CT

“A parishioner told me that he was impressed by something that President Truman once said. In his Missouri wisdom, he is reported as saying, ‘What’s important in life is what you learn after you know it all!’ The parishioner said that he thought he knew all about church support and could never see the extravagance of tithing. First he read our booklet “A GIANT LEAP IN FAITH” and then began to tithe. The peace of mind and contentment that comes from doing one’s fair share by returning some of God’s goodness to Him proved that old ‘Harry’ was right!”

Rev. John B. Bateman
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Lewistown, PA

“Encourage youngsters to feel the joy of their own giving. Whether they are using Offertory envelopes or collecting food for the poor, propose that they give from their own resources rather than asking their parents for the contribution. This will introduce children to the and pride that comes from giving and, habit. I hopefully, it will introduce them to a lifelong joy thank our SFC parents who teach their children by example the joys of giving back to the Lord.”

Rev. Msgr. Richard A. Behl, D.Min
Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, NJ

“Thank you for your Comment Cards concerning tithing. I am most grateful to you for expressing your concerns and your financial burdens. In spite of those concerns, you mentioned your willingness to do your best. I am aware that most of our senior citizens are on limited income, have many medical bills and other financial burdens. I am also conscious of our younger parishioners with heavy tuition bills and household responsi- bilities. Tithing has been offered for your consideration as an approach to Church support and to follow God’s Plan for Giving instead of depending on raffles and various other fund raisers. Please do not let tithing be another worry for you. What you give to God is between you and God. Do Not Worry!”

Rev. Charles E. Bonner
St. Cecilia, Phila., PA

“This week I received the letter printed below which is truly the spirit of God’s Plan for Giving.”
‘Dear Father Smith, ‘The children, Samantha & John Obolsky had a lemonade stand, but were accepting donations. In a two hour period they collected $37.50. At the start of the sale they decided that all the money they made would go to St. St. Anthony’s. We are very proud of their unselfishness and generosity. They know that this money will go to help other children and families less fortunate than themselves. Thank you so much for Bible School. Your teachings don’t fall on . . . deaf ears.”

Rev. William J. Smith,
St. Anthony of Padua , Port Reading, NJ

 

“Generosity in our hearts is a sign of the presence of God within us. That is part of the light that the Lord asks us to let shine into the darkness around us. Thank you for your sacrifice of tithing.”

Rev. William F. O’Keefe
St. Thomas , Thomaston, CT

“Since the McKenna Stewardship Ministry began 30 years ago, more than 160 witnesses (including Joe Seeber and John Whelan) have spoken in 900 parishes in 21 states and 44 dioceses.”

Rev. Joseph J. Quindlen
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Buckingham, PA

“We are grateful to those who have listened and prayed about our Stewardship program – a recognition of God’s gifts to us of time, talent, and treasure, and how we can give back to God some small amount of those gifts. As we con-tinue on this journey together, we invite you to share any comments you have regarding Stewardship and/or Tithing.”

Rev. Robert J. Rousseau
St. Augustine, North Branford, CT

“Taking care of my cousin’s fish.” Julie
“Helped my brother on the computer.” Bobby
“Helping Grandma clean up the house.” Allen
“Helping Grandma vacuum.” Allison

Rev. Boguslaw Augustyn, C. Ss.R.
Sacred Heart Church, Manville, NJ

“I helped my Mother do the laundry.”
“ I tried to play quiet with my truck so my Daddy could get some work done.”

Rev. Denis M. Dinan
Immaculate Conception/St. Mary’s, Port Jervis, NY

“I was nice to my friend.”
“I did my homework without complaining.”
“I love everybody.”
“I played with Mady yesterday.”
“Gave money to the poor.”

Rev. Barry R. Strong, O.S.F.S.
Immaculate Conception, Wilmington, NC

“We received a $9.00 contribution from Jimmy Rolley’s piggy bank! He is in Grade 1 and really wanted to contribute his own money to God and to the Church!”

Rev. Joseph J. Nicolo
St. Helena, Blue Bell, PA

“I helped paint the backdrop for a dance.” 8th grader
“I helped keep my brother warm watching fireworks.” 5th grader

Rev. John Bateman
St. Jude Thaddeus, Mifflintown, PA