McKenna Tithing Newsletter

Isn’t it amazing how things rise up to fill recognized needs? Hundreds of pastors have availed themselves of the services offered by the McKenna Tithing Ministry, and through the years we have heard a frequent refrain from them. “The Offertory increase has enabled us to do more things for the people, thank God, but how do we get more of those people involved ?”

Initially we felt it was not within our purview, but as we heard about people involvement and the need for ministries, and then discussed it with the Advisory Board, we saw these things were actually two sides of the same coin. We are all stewards of our time and talents just as surely as we are stewards of the income that God enables us to earn. And so, with input from witnesses and pastors, guidelines were set and we began to formulate a second aspect of the tithing program. As a result and with valuable input from a number of parishes, several years ago we began to offer the McKenna Time and Talent Program.

We suggest that tithing parishes consider doing an update one year after its introduction, and the following year offer the Time and Talent Program.

Parishes where this has been done report some astonishing results. Before the program, pastors report an average of 20 to 40% of parishioners involved in parish activities/ministries. After the first presentation of Time and Talent, they see an average increase of 15%. After several years of alternating Tithing Updates with Time and Talent they find that each year another 15% of parishioners get involved in their parish.

Father Jude Salus, OSB, pastor of Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel, Cedar Knolls, NJ, is most enthusiastic about his parishioner involvement. He is one of the many pastors who have had the McKenna TIME AND TALENT Ministry presented in his parish as well as our traditional Tithing one.

Father Jude says, “Last Saturday, a young, single mother with her little son in tow, gave me a check for $20,000. She told me her Dad passed away and left his home to her. She sold the home and wanted to give 10% back to God as her tithe of thanksgiving and to her parish family who have loved and supported her. The inspiration of the people of God constantly fills me with renewed hope and courage. God bless you all.” Yet another pastor who views this kind of commitment to parish a kind of fall-out from the tithing mentality.

It’s significant to note that on Notre Dame’s parish bulletin there are 43 ministries listed!

Father Daniel Kearney of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Manhattan tells us that the rate of parishioner involvement went from 25 to 56%, and at St. Thomas More and St. Mary in Lake Ariel, PA, Father Edward Scott is delighted with gratifying 12 to 35% growth in involved, active parishioners.

As all committed tithers know, tithing is most definitely not about money; it’s about the suffering people of India, and Kosovo, and Mexico; it’s about Eucharistic Ministers bringing the Blessed Sacrament to the home-bound and to people in nursing homes; it’s about teaching young people about our faith, and about RCIA, and Pre-Cana, and greeting church goers, and gracious ushering.

It’s also about giving good, seeking people a share in ownership of their church, and a sense of family with the people they pray for and with each week. Tithing is about so much more than money. It is really about the sharing of who we are. . . all of it. Our Time and Talent as well as our Treasure.

AND SO IT GROWS. . .

The McKenna Tithing Ministry has been introduced into 917 parishes in 20 States and 43 dioceses with 461 Updates.

“Our parish has discovered something. . .very simple, very important. . .God cannot be outdone in generosity! We have a small parish with generous giving parishioners. As our parish tithing program began four weeks ago, we asked our people to be more generous with God, and they did it! - and sure enough - God outdid them all!!”

“The other day someone asked me how a relatively small parish like our can maintain our parish facilities so beautifully and foster so many ministries [Ed. Note - 43!]. The answer - here and now - is tithing! Many generous people are sacrificing to benefit our parish and themselves, too. They realize that our Lord will not be outdone in generosity. With gratitude,

“I found out the best time of the year to consider my generosity to God is at tax time when I can see in black and white what percent of my income went to God in comparison to what I spent on other items I felt I didn’t have and I wanted.”

“It has taken me a whole year to get up the courage to begin this [tithing]. I started it as a Lenten sacrifice and I have decided to continue. I feel wonderfully free.”

A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. William M. Richardson, V.F. - Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick, Harrisburg, PA

“This thought just struck me. I was about to cut back on my tithe because of some stock market losses. I have never increased my tithe when the market was up. Why should I decrease now that it has taken a negative turn?”

A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. William M. Richardson, V.F. - Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick, Harrisburg, PA

“It’s been an amazing turn-around in my life as I began tithing. When I made my tithing commitment, I began to realize how much God has given me. It has changed my whole outlook on life.”

“Last Sunday I learned that our parish was dropping one Las Vegas Night. I was wondering when this would happen! I have been tithing for almost one year. I have been ‘on the lookout’ and I am happy to know that parishioners are responding to tithing, and that the pastor is responding to the parishioners. Since I started to budget for the Lord, I have been blessed in many ways. I haven’t won the lottery or anything like that, but I have been blessed in ways that are important to my family.”

A “Happy” parishioner
Rev. Msgr. Francis A. Carbine - St. Charles Borromeo, Bensalem, PA

“I have been a lifelong parishioner of St. Ephrem’s and can never really thank all the Priests, Sisters for the wonderful education I received. I shall improve my weekly offering effective 1/1/01.”

“Tithing has had no adverse effect on my spending or saving power, or any negative effect on my way of living. It has given me a much more positive feeling about myself. I prayed about it. I also thought about the Scripture story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. The rich man wanted to go back and tell his brothers that they should be more generous. He wanted to speak up, but it was too late. I’m speaking up now for the message to be heard.”

A parishioner
Rev. Jude S. Salus, OSB - Notre Dame of Mount Carmel, Cedar Knolls, NJ

“I commend you on the tithing program you selected, and am impressed with your talks and the witnesses’ talks of the past weeks. We believe in tithing, but the talks and the printed matter gave us an opportunity to re-examine our giving and increase the amount. I believe the Lord is always calling us to be responsible - and sometimes I’m good at this, but frequently I fall back and don’t do a good job of keeping records. I hope to do better in this. Thank you for giving me the chance to hear His message once again - more clearly.”

“It was sixteen years ago, but it seems like only yesterday. I was suddenly confronted with serious surgery which I never thought would happen to me. It always happened to others. The memory is still there and I recall vividly the days before the surgery. I really received the grace to ask myself, ‘What do I own and what owns me?”’ When you are wheeled into a surgery room, it really doesn’t matter who you are or what you possess. What counts is the confidence in a competent surgical staff and a good and gracious God. I know that my whole understanding and appreciation of the gifts and resources I possess took on new meaning. It is amazing how a divine economy of life and health provides a unique perspective of what really matters.”

“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 connection 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 St. Patrick’s Church and Parish.”

“Our five children were started on tithing as first graders when, in 1954, our oldest received 25 cents a week. Of that sum, 10 cents immediately went into her church envelope, 5 cents allowed for a pretzel a day and 1- cents she could spend or save.”

“There are times when I ask myself ‘Why should I sacrifice my money and time for other people in the parish and in the Diocese?’ Then I think “Suppose Jesus had felt that way about me’.”

“Let’s imagine we are sitting on the edge of a stream looking down at a round stone under the running water. For how many years has that stone been in the water - 10, a hundred years, or even more? The water cannot penetrate the stone and if we break in we would find that it is dry in-side. In the same way, we who are immersed in the presence of God still do not allow Him to penetrate our lives. God stays on the surface until we allow Him to penetrate and change our lives with His love. . . We must not forget to thank our good and loving Father for communicating to us His life, His love, the desire and ability to do good through the grace that empowers us. And thanks also to our faithful parishioners for their generous response to that grace.”

“If the minimum wage is $5.45 an hour, for a forty hour work week, the weekly salary is $218.00 gross. God works 168, i.e., the whole week on our behalf. How much should God receive from us? If it’s based on the minimum wage, God is receiving a little more that $.03 an hour. Something to think about! Thank you for thanking God and helping your parish community.”

“Tithing is a concrete expression of all the theological fruits rolled up into one: an act of FAITH, a sign of HOPE, a response to LOVE.”

“ ‘Cast your bread upon the waters’ the Bible teaches us, ‘and it will return to you.’ I thought of these words when our Sunday 6pm group of ushers took up the collection at the Nov. 14 International Catholic Stewardship Mass that was celebrated here. This collection was donated to our parish, $8,828. It was taken up a short time after I had donated $10,000. to the Archdiocese from our parish funds as a ‘birthday gift’ to the Cardinal for the two charities he wished to favor: THE CONSORTIUM OF CENTER CITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS and CATHOLIC CHARITIES. How wonderful is the Lord! The parish gave a gift to the works of God, and the People of God (people who were not our parishioners) gave almost the same amount back to us! God’s word is sure and unmistakable. ‘Cast your bread upon the waters and it WILL return to you.’ Trust it! Believe it! Act on it!”

Rev. Francis Xavier Russo, OFM Capuchin - Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Washington, DC

“The three Kings brought Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh. It was a one-shot gift for their King. But you give your time, talent and treasure to the King every week here at Notre Dame. Your tithing and service in ministry are a constant reminder that His message lives on. Special thanks for the extraordinary Christmas collection. Because we are growing and using our Church facilities so much, there are more extra and extraordinary expenses. Because of your outstanding generosity, we will be able to meet those expenses while budgeting in maintenance items that will always be ongoing.”

“The fact that we have been able to pay off our parish debt, make general repairs and maintenance, and pay all other bills for the parish indicates how powerful we can be as a parish who tithes. . . All of you work hard to earn your money; we promise to use your contributions wisely. We appreciate your generosity. Thank you for your support.”

“After cleaning up Christmas bills and ‘thank you’s’, the next task is taxes! That’s when we figure out how much God has given us, what percent we owe Uncle Sam, and the 10% due back to God.”

“At this time of the year we have so much to be grateful for and find our hearts full of gratitude. In the words of the late Thomas Merton, “There is no neutrality between gratitude and ingratitude.” To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us – and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is grace for it brings with it immense grace from Him! In the name of the Retired Religious, a million thanks for your outstanding generosity to their collection last weekend.”

“The following letter was anonymous as was the cashier’s check for $3,000.00. I don’t read anonymous letters, but the check caught my eye. ‘The Lord led us to St. Patrick’s in a miraculous way in a time of deep need. The service literally sustains us from week to week. Please divide the enclosed check between benevolence and church expenses. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you and St. Patrick’s close to Him.’ “

Rev. Msgr. William M. Richardson, V.F. - Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick, Harrisburg, PA

“Every once in a while it is important to take a little extra time to thank you for your continued support of St. Paul Church. As you know, your weekly contributions are the sole support for our parish and it is only through your generosity that we are able to maintain our buildings and grounds and, at the same time and most importantly, minister to our community. Thank you especially for your concern and zeal in making up your donations even when you are unable to attend weekend Mass. And a special ‘Thank You’ to all who contribute their time and talents . . . It takes the dedication of many faithful parishioners to keep our ministries alive and well. Your care, concern and commitment are evident and greatly appreciated. My God bless you!”

�You are all as wonderful and as generous as your good parishioners. Just as they support the work of their parish, you - with your contributions to the McKenna Ministry - continue the work of the ministry. We are able to respond to the many requests that we get for information as a result of your goodness. A very sincere thank you to each of you.