Mckenna Stewardship Newsletter
April 2005

# 40 APRIL 2005

TITHING ISN'T JUST FOR SUNDAYS!

Rev. Msgr. John Miller, pastor of St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Fairless Hills, PA, wrote in his bulletin shortly after the natural disaster in South Asia last winter:

"Thank you for sustaining Christmas blessings into 2005. Your extra generous tsunami relief two weeks ago flowed over to last Sunday's support for the coming Right to Life March in D.C., while still providing for our parish. Your tithes 'allow' God to continue such blessings. Picture everyone's causes - yours, the parish's, and special causes as flowing to and fro, from and to our Father and back again. (Whenever there's a shortage, someone or something is 'clogging the line.' Misuse of resources? Unfair distribution? Pointless spending? Better call Roto-Rooter!) What opened John the Baptist's eyes to the Father's greatest gift, the Lamb of God? His use of every gift according to its nature; and this freed him to fulfill his unique mission. Tithing is the first step in fulfilling ours."

A week later Msgr. Miller wrote: 
". . . So, thanks for your sacrificial generosity for the Body of Christ: both on-going parish support, and relief for the tsunami victims. It's heartening, isn't it, to note the extraordinary outpouring world-wide? Your generosity, to the tune of nearly $9,000, was the biggest special collection you have ever supported! That's what happens in a tithing parish. (emphasis, Ed.) Let's keep in mind it's only a be-ginning. How many years will it be for the people to rebuild their lives just from the material point of view? While nothing can make up for the loss of their loved ones, the generosity of all 

God's children has lasting, spiritual support. As with tithing, the financial, material effect is incidental. In the parish's name, thank you. In the name of the suffering Body of Christ and of all God's children, thank you and thank you again."

Rev. Msgr. James P. McCoy, pastor of St. Jude Parish, Chalfont, PA, weighed in with his thanks to an unselfish parish:

"Thank you again for your wonderful generosity for the tsunami relief collection. Additional donations since we last reported have increased our total to $14,254.49 which includes $1,532.49 from our school children. God bless you all!"

In Fayetteville, NC, Rev. David Brockman, JCD, spiritual leader of St. Patrick's, was, also, gracious in expressing his gratitude to his good parishioners: 

"Last weekend we joined together as a parish to reach out in support of those who have lost so much in the devastation caused by the recent tsunami in south Asia. I think we can be very grateful as a parish that, through the stewardship of our parish, to date we will provide just shy of $33,000 worth of cash support to those who badly need our assistance. These monies , and all that may be received this weekend . . . will be forwarded to Catholic Relief Services. CRS is an excellent international Catholic charity."

Superb Pastors! Beautiful Faith Communities!

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

"My wife and I considered three steps in our tithing leap. I would propose them to all of our Notre Dame family: 1. Count your blessings with someone you love. 2. Sit quietly and ask God to help you make this a prayerful decision. 3. Enjoy the feeling of knowing that you are making a difference when you see the joy, service, and growth of our parish!"
A parishioner
Rev. Jude Salus, O.S.B., Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel, Cedar Knolls, NJ

"This is a real act of faith for me! One thing I have discovered about myself is that I never brought God into my finances. This is a very important area for me, and I am glad that now God is a part of it."
A parishioner
Rev. Boguslaw Augustyn, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Manville, NJ

"I am grateful to have been present during such dynamic appeals to tithing, both this year and in years past. Father D., you have been blessed with a gift for telling it like it is spiritually, and making no apologies for this particular teaching. 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."
Rev. Francis DuBois, St. Ambrose, Latham, NY

"When I think of everything the parish does to help us all get along in life with God and each other, I want to be a part of it. Tithing makes sure that something of 'me' is part of the parish's work."
A parishioner
Rev. Edward A. Windhaus, St. Titus, East Norriton Twp., PA

"After tithing for a number of years, it began to lose its spiritual impact. It was suggested that I say a prayer over the check I write each month, making a conscious effort to give it to God as a sign of my thankfulness. This little act has certainly made all the difference in the world."
A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. William M. Richardson, St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus, New Cumberland, PA

"I was visiting with my family in my home country, and when I returned, I found that my envelopes were all backed up. I filled each with the tithe for that week, without thinking about whether I'd have enough money to cover my expenses. I just said: 'Lord, this belongs to You.' I've got heart trouble and I have to buy my medicine because my insurance doesn't cover it. When I went to the doctor, he told me: "I've got all your medicines, and so you don't have to buy any.' How the Lord keeps His promises!"
A parishioner
Rev. Frank Yacobi, OFM Cap. St. John the Evangelist, Philadelphia, PA

"We are seniors on a limited income, but we decided instead of going to breakfast after Mass, we would go home, cook breakfast, and use the money to increase our donation to God. We will continue this plan as long as we can financially. Thank you for the opportunity to give back to our God."
A parishioner
 Rev. H. James Hutchins, St. Pius X, Broomall, PA

"My wife and I learned, Father, the very real spiritual component of tithing. We read and listened to testimony after testimony revealing how the Lord really 'takes over' and enables the tithing program to almost take care of itself. What's truly remarkable is the 'money part' of tithing becomes an afterthought when compared to the spiritual richness and other blessings that have flowed from our commitment to tithe." 
A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. John J. Carroll, Our Lady of the Magnificat, Kinnelon, NJ

[I was] "holding tight to the money and resisting God's call to trust Him with the 5% to the parish and the 5% to charity."
A parishioner
Rev. Paul Guthrie, OFM, Ascension Ukrainian Catholic Ch., Sayre, PA

"My family prayed about this and financially it'll be a burden, but we're to give back to God for seeing us through these difficult days and bring-ing us this far. So we've started our tithing and I know God will bring us through."
A parishioner
Rev. Paul J. Henry, St. John Vianney, Orlando, FL

"As I reflected on the scriptural basis for tithing, on my relationship with God, and the fact that God has been good to me - He has given me so many blessings - my attitude changed. I began to think that, despite the fact that 5% seems like a lot of money to me, I think I can do it."
A parishioner
Rev. Joseph P. Davis, St. Therese, Succasunna, NJ 

"When I first heard the witnesses talk about tithing, I kind of snickered. Then I received the testimonials in the mail and, for some reason, my eyes were opened and I realized for the first time that all I have is because God gave me the desire to achieve."
A parishioner
Rev. Boguslaw Augustyn, C.Ss.R., Sacred Heart, Manville, NJ


PASTORS' COMMENTS. . . (from their parish bulletins)

"I'm most grateful for the response we've had to our encouragement to prayerfully consider your parish donations. Your response to our tithing promotion and some make-up from the previous week's snowstorm brought us a Sunday collection last week of almost $16,000. I t will be a great help to us when the bill for snow removal appears.
Rev. Msgr. Joseph W. Murray, St. Stanislaus, Lansdale, PA

Our consultants in promoting tithing were the Gerald McKenna Tithing Program. Founded in 1977 [and now The McKenna Tithing Ministry]
. . . it is a grass-roots movement of lay people. It has no hierarchical affiliation.

"The strength of a parish perhaps lies in the faith of the people who believe that their church can be a vital and continual source in our connections with God and His people. Tithing can give us that vested interest in being a part of and supportive of all activities and programs that are centered in Seven Sorrows Parish."
Rev. Louis P. Ogden, Seven Sorrow of the Blessed Virgin, Middletown, PA

"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. Edward T. Kearnsm St. Cyril of Alexandria, Lansdowne, PA

"As you can see from the figures above, I am most grateful to our tithers. But also our congregations were very full, our people sat closer to the altar, more people participated in the Sacrifice by touching the collection basket, and our last school collection was [edifying]. Fourteen persons were baptized at Easter, four adults from our RCIA and ten children. Tithing is about more than just money - it is conversion to the kingdom of God, putting God first and living in gratitude for all His blessings."
Rev. Joseph E. Looney, St. Margaret, Waterbury, CT

"The splendor of God's life within us shines forth in love. Love shines forth in self-sacrificial giving and service. That shines out by sharing treasure (tithing), time (prayer), and talent (volunteering). It's a great life!"
Rev. William M. Weary, St. Joseph, Danville, PA

"In this Sunday's Gospel, Christ continues to give of Himself by giving sight to the blind when it comes to having faith in Jesus. By lovingly joining our offerings to that of the offering of Christ with in the Mass we can grow in faith in God. We are then better able to see God's generous love in our lives. Thank you for your generous support!"
Rev. Ronald L. Jandernoa, St. Jude, Blairstown, NJ

"Christ's kingdom is one of liberty and love. He cannot rule us unless we freely give Him our lives in a spirit of love. Our material gifts to God are our way of pledging our time and talent and our very lives for the glory of Christ, Our King. Thank you for your weekly tithe, your pledge of loyalty."
Rev. Msgr. Laurence R. Bronkiewicz, S.T.D. St. Mary, Ridgefield, CT

"Thank you for being the salt of the earth and light of the world to your parish again last Sunday. That is the effect of your sacrificial generosity. Of course, supporting God's works in and through your parish does not make us salt and light automatically This is yet another of God's gifts we accept or not. In other words, we do not - cannot - 'buy our way.' However, dedicating that first part of God's material blessings to God's works keeps us aware of the call to be salt and light in our day, in our world. Since only Jesus has this gift perfectly, it is the further gift of our Father for us to be the same salt and light - in, with, through His only begotten Son."
Rev. Msgr. John Miller, St. Frances Cabrini, Fairless Hills, PA

"A bit of a 'resurrection-in-process' going on! God bless and reward you with proofs of His presence and providence for your wonderful response to tithing and your support of our Parish Mission."

. . .on another Sunday
" Again and again we are 'way over last year's giving. Thanks to all who are doing their best . . . and then some. . .out of trust. May God repay you as He promised, a hundred-fold in happiness here and in heaven."
Rev. Edward A. Windhaus, St. Titus, East Norriton, PA 

"NOT THE GIFT BUT THE GIVER!"
"When a child gives his mother a handful of the neighbor's flowers, the mother receives the gift in the spirit in which it was given. The value or lack of value is not the issue. Our gifts to the Lord may be large or small. The point is that we do our best and give our best. It is the spirit behind the gift that finally matters. 
Reflect on what you give and why you give. What matters is not the value of the gift, but the spirit of the giver!"
Rev. Msgr. Francis A. Carbine, St. Charles Borromeo, Bensalem, PA

"St. Paul wrote, 'I have learned to manage on whatever I have, I know how to be poor and how to be rich . . . there is nothing I cannot master with the help of the one who gives me strength.'
Your weekly giving seems to echo St. Paul's words and actions. May Jesus' risen light continue to brighten your path of love."
Rev. Jude Salus, OSB, Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel, Cedar Knolls, NJ