We’ve mentioned before that in an average month we read more than 500 parish bulletins. We see, therefore, not only the gratifying results of tithing, but the other sections of your com-munication with your faith communities. We read your heartfelt good-bye’s to staff and/or parish-ioners; your many and varied parish programs and activities; your gentle admonitions, and your moving tributes to deceased friends of the parish.

We also read your reports on extra collections. And they invariably lead to urges to write letters to editors! Where do they get these polls which state that Catholics are the poorest contributors to their churches? . . .Worst givers indeed!!!!

Reading of the responses of all your dear loving parishioners to causes like the missions, the poor, victims of hurricanes and earthquakes are enough to make one weep with gratitude and awe. And the recent nation-wide collection for aid to Kosovar refugees is a dramatic example. We’d like to share some pastors’ reactions to this Christ-like generosity with you.

From Rev. William Benonis, pastor of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Swarthmore, PA:

"Parishioners of Notre Dame! Take a Bow! You have shown again the ambrosian stuff you are made of. The call for help was made and you responded magnificently. Your phenomenal generosity boosted aid to the Yugoslavian refugees by $3,733. Congratulations! God bless your marvelous spirit of brotherly love. And as you can see from the figures below, the collection for Notre Dame . . .suffered not at all. So your charity to the refugees was over and above your habitual support of our dear parish. . . . your inspiring faith is a more eloquent sermon than any preacher could hope to match. . ."