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Mckenna Stewardship Newsletter
May 2009
# 46 -May 2009
IT’S CALLED
AND IT’S ALL ABOUT LOVE!
Of course there’s a lot of talk about problems in the economy! But then there are the people who just seem to have their priorities straight.
And if you want to see that in action, just check out the folks who make up the vibrant, giving community of Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel in Cedar Knolls, NJ.
Rather than tell you about them, we’ll let you read how the recipients of this love-filled parish’s unselfish giving affected them. In the back of the church are dozens of Thank You messages to the parishioners: different styles, colors, photos and words that all say THANK YOU, YOU ARE WONDERFUL.
* A full-color card emblazoned with “We can’t miss with friends like you!” shows 40 youngsters from Boonton enjoying summer camp that would have been beyond their reach without the contribution of Notre Dame’sTithing the Tithe.
* The Campaign for Delbarton School in Morristown was also lavish in their gratitude to the parishioners.
* The prioress of the Carmelite Monastery in the same town was both pleased and humble in ex pressing her thanks.
Ah, but these generous people, led by their pastor, Rev. Jude Salus, OSB and the Tithing the Tithe Ministry, don’t confine their good will and generosity to Morris County, or even NJ.
* Good Counsel Homes for Single Mothers and Babies in Hoboken, NJ sent a thank you note that almost glowed for their gratitude.
* Birth Haven, a simiar facility in Newton, NJ that provides “shelter, support and education” to young women who are pregnant and need help, writes to thank the people of this admirable parish for their monetary contributions.
The list goes on, and it doesn’t stop in New Jersey. . . Think Habitat for Humanity, and St. Mary’s Mission in Red Lake, Minnesota .
These recipients are not selected at random. The Tithing the Tithe committee meets periodically to discuss requests and/or needs of which they are aware.
We suggest that a parish about to embrace our Stewardship program form a committee of volunteers who meet at regular intervals to discuss the needs made known to them. To- gether they decide where to send the parish tithe. Sometimes it reaches beyond the U.S.
In his thank you note, Fr. Pat Patten, C.S. Sp., wrote “Thank you for your generosity and support. Your donation helps us meet the many needs of our mission. We administer a small rural dispensary, a very busy mother/child health care clinic, [and] a Technical Training Center for the Physically Handicapped. . . We also operate the Flying Medical Service which serves the health care needs in a large part of . . .Tanzania.”
And when one thinks about these giving hearts and hands having a long reach, try imaging Iraq!
These remarkable, giving people received a "CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR NOTRE DAME OF MT. CARMEL" approved by the Commander of Forward Operating Base Cropper on behalf of the soldiers of the 50th IBCT who greatly appreciate your caring and kindness. Thank you for thinking of us! The care packages you sent were well received! . . .”
And closer to home, the children of Our Lady of Lourdes in Paterson weren’t missed at Epiphany. Their pastor’s letter said “. . . It is always exciting for children to walk in and see a ‘department store’ of toys at their own church. . . Thank you again.”
| AND SO IT GROWS. . .
The McKenna Stewardship Ministry has been introduced into:
|
(Please feel free to use these comments in your bulletins. . .)
“I feel that tithing is a good way to fulfill our duty to support the Church. I was baptized a Catholic. I attended Catholic elementary, high and graduate schools, and worked for a Catholic Social Services Agency for 44 years until I retired. I miss attending Mass and other Church services, but I do the best I can via TV.”
A parishioner
Rev. Robert J. Norris
St. Lucy, Bronx, NY
“ . . .but tithing doesn’t mean we have to give up what we have; it’s about giving enough. The vocabulary of our faith invites us to the table at every Mass for a spiritual meal; this church is our house, and the people seated in front of and behind us are not just familiar faces. They are the family with whom we share our gifts. Tithing isn’t painful. It is our joy to know that we are supporting our house, a house given to us without condition, without any strings other than that we care for it. We are not asked to give up anything, but to share with God what God shares with us.”
A parishioner
Rev. David Ireland, S.T. L.
St. Gregory the Great, South Euclid, Ohio
"It has been almost a year since tithing was begun at our parish. Our family went from giving nothing to giving a modest amount. We lacked the faith to give the full amount. Over this year, we noticed something happening. Our faith life has improved and so did our finances, both modestly. When school started in August, we decided to re-evaluate our contribution. We made the decision to tithe the full amount. As our charity, the family chose a seminarian from the diocese to ‘adopt.’ Each month, we write him a letter and send a check. It has been a wonderful experience for our family. It has enriched our prayer life as we have been praying for the young men of the seminary each evening as a family. It has been an affirmation to the young man we are helping, and it has given our children, especially our sons, a personal connection with someone answering a call to a vocation. Our finances have improved dramatically. At first, some outstanding debts, then a raise at work, now a growing amount we are contributing to our parish and ‘our’ seminarian. The more we give away – of our time, talents, and tithe – the more we are blessed!”
A parishioner
Rev. James F. Podlesny, O.S.B.
Holy Spirit, Palmyra, PA
“My husband recently lost his job so I had to get out there and find some source of income while he stayed home with the kids. This role reversal, while not permanent, is giving both of us a chance to appreciate what goes into raising a family. Although our income is down we are managing to tithe and have not stopped going to Church as a family. We thank God for His goodness to us and ask for His assistance during these challenging times.”
A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. John J. Carroll
Our Lady of the Magnificat, Kinnelon, NJ
“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 Davis
St. Therese, Succasunna, NJ
“Great presentations! We do think that diocesan collections, including Archbishop’s Annual Appeal (not to mention 11% from the Offertory,) should be part of the 5% and then the other 5% would go to ‘other’ charities which could include some like Catholic Relief Services which are still church-related.”
A parishioner
Father Brian Jeffries
St. Joseph Church & Immaculate Conception Church, Canaan, CT
“I have felt my entire life that I have been very fortunate. . . After hearing the tithing witnesses, it occurred to me that I don’t think twice about how much it costs to fill up my gas tank; but for some reason I’ve always thought twice about how much I commit to the church. I now realize that I have not been fortunate; I’ve been blessed. I need to prioritize what means more to God – my commitment to my church or filling up the gas tank.”
A parishioner
Rev. Joseph J. Quindlen
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Buckingham. PA
“If I only have my $5 to tithe or $25, I’ve been given an incomparable gift. I guess because I feel I’m giving me. So I want to thank you most sincerely for making all this possible by your suggesting the tithing. I do hope others get a chance to experience what I have. It is just wonderful!”
A parishioner Fr. Pete Colletti, D.Min, St. Michael, Independence, OH
“I love the way tithing has been presented. I love the 5% to church and 5% to ‘other’ suggestion. It makes people feel the church isn’t simply after all the money. It makes it clear that the church wants to use God’s money to help God’s people.”
A parishioner
Fr. Pete Colletti, D. Min
St. Michael, Independence, OH
“When everyone helps, it makes it a lot easier for everyone else. Prayer, good work, and sharing go hand-in-hand and make the kingdom of God more present here.”
A parishioner
Msgr. Francis W. Beach
SS. Simon & Jude, West Chester, PA
| PASTORS’ COMMENTS. . . (from their parish bulletins) |
“Bishop Bevard, a former Philadelphia priest and an old friend, sent me a thank you note upon receipt of my tithe to his missionary diocese. It was my first tithe of the year. He wrote: ‘Your goodness is a great source of encouragement to me.’ I felt the same way after speaking with a parishioner last week who told me that the concept of tithing was not new to her. She had learned about it from a friend several years ago, but never put it into practice. She told me that she had been praying about tithing and observed that ‘We say that God is the source of everything that we have. Tithing is putting our words into action.’ I walked away very encouraged by this good woman’s insight. I am encouraged by the people who are taking God at His Word and are embracing God’s plan for giving.”
Rev. Peter J. DiMaria
Stella Maris Catholic Church, Philadelphia, PA
“It is uplifting to see that many parishioners have decided to tithe and still others, unable to tithe at this time, have nonetheless increased their offerings. I sincerely believe that we will be blessed as individuals and as a parish because we have chosen (even in these most difficult economic times) to give of our ‘first fruits’ to God. Some, due to their personal circumstances, are unable to increase their financial support at this time, but have promised to increase their gift of “Time and Talent” to the parish and the com-munity at large. Please rest assured that your gifts of time, talent and treasure . . . in whatever form they may take. . . are deeply appreciated by your pastor and serve to enhance the gospel message of Jesus Christ to a world in need of His grace! May God bless you.”
Father Francis Menei
St. Richard, Manheim, PA
“One parishioner and one staff person separately said to me. ‘I am seeing the spiritual effects of tithing.’ I believe that joy and thanks are blossoming like the Easter flowers because we have become a tithing parish that acknowledges that all is gift. Echoing the words of St. Paul, I say ’I give thanks to God for all of you.’ ”
Fr. Daniel S. Kearney
Church/St. Elizabeth, Washington Heights, NY
“Stewardship poses the question: How do I make use of my skills and my money? In other words, do I handle these as gifts belonging to God, which I am meant to manage on God’s behalf and for God’s purposes? Or do I consider my skills and my money as belonging to me – possessions that I occasionally bestow on others?”
Rev. Paul T. Rindos
Mary, Mother of the Church, Mount Joy, PA
“The person who tithes is saying ‘thank you’ to God for health, food, family, love and life. Tithing teaches that the love of God is the creative factor in every person’s life.”
Msgr. Francis W. Beach
SS. Simon & Jude, West Chester, PA
“I’d like to share some of the comments that have been sent to me [re tithing]:
‘I pray that one day I can feel completely that God will take care of it all. I try to let go and trust, but, like I said, I’m a novice, so for now I like the concept of budgeting for my church. It’s just a refreshing thing to do. I will leave it at that.’
‘Tithing is a way of thanking Our Lord.’
‘I/we have enjoyed the “leap” concept because that is what faith is all about. Love and hope are easily discernable, but faith is the hurdle and the bridge to get closer to God. And the Holy Spirit can guide us on this journey.’”
Fr. Richard T. O’Leary
St. Thomas of Villanova, Rosemont, PA
“Thank you for your inspiring examples of generous giving and participation in the life of the parish. Because of your great faith and stewardship our parish is proclaiming the Gospel and building the reign of God. May the Lord Jesus bless you and your families in abundance? I am grateful to you for your giving of your time and your talent as well as your generous financial support by tithing.”
Rev. Msgr. John E. Hart
St. Cecilia, Rockaway, NJ
“ . . .We thank the members of our parish for their continued generosity to our church and school and the many donations of money, food and clothing to the the poor and those of our parish who visit the sick, who comfort those who are grieving . . .Our parish is enriched by all of you who perform these simple and direct acts of love and mercy to those in need. We have much to be thankful for. . .”
Rev. Dennis M. Mooney
St. Mark Church, Bristol, PA
“I will not bombard you with comments about bills and needing to make ends meet. It’s not my job to beg you for money for lights, heat, water, insurance, etc . . . It is my responsibility to remind you of God’s invitation to tithe. Are you giving back to God in gratitude for God’s goodness to you?”
Rev. Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.
Visitation B.V.M., Philadelphia, PA
|
THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH SPEAKS (comments with their envelopes) |
(As we have all learned, Stewardship is not only about how much money we give; it also has to do with the time and talents we share with our Parish Family.”)
“I thanked God this week by praying for Grand-pop John in Heaven.”
“I thanked God by praying for my Aunt who died.”
“I thanked God by praying for my dog who got hit by a car.”
“I thanked God this week by praying for Our Troops and world peace.”
Rev. H. James Hutchins
St. Pius X, Broomall, PA
“Helped scoop the ice cream for my family.” Susan
“Shared my candy.” Joseph
“Was nice to my cousin” (?!) Sean
“Cleaned my room.” Samantha
Fr. James W. Mayer, O.de M.
Our Lady of Lourdes, Phila., PA
| A warm, sincere “thank you” to all of you pastors who are “tithing the tithe” when you send contributions to the McKenna Stewardship Ministry. You realize that we couldn’t do any of it without you. And just imagine the impact that we are able to have – together – you and us. Staggering, isn’t it? Heartfelt thanks and God bless you all! |
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