McKenna Tithing Newsletter

OCTOBER 2000

THE MCKENNA TITHING MINISTRY
IS DIMINISHED BY JERRY FERRARA’S DEATH. . .

A big, smiling bear of a man, Jerry Ferrara didn’t enter a room; he took it by storm. He left people decades younger than he with mouths agape.. . .but at the same time he was genuinely gentle. As a matter of fact, genu-ine is one of the words that describes him best. But there were many others; he was passionate, enthusiastic, oh, absolutely enthusiastic. He gave the French expression joie de vivre new meaning. He was the way to tell a child what that expression means. And honorable. You can’t even think of him without thinking of things like honesty, and reliability, and trust.  And it shouldn’t have been a surprise to learn that he’d earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star Medal in World War II. One can’t imagine him not being a hero.

But Jerry was also another kind of hero to those who knew him as a tithing witness. He was tireless and,   even in his late 70’s and early 80’s,  he still traveled to many of the more than 100 parishes in which he spoke  on countless weekends. (He’d been a witness since 1982.) When he was a member of our Advisory Board, after long days in Trenton he contributed wise input about the program, and added delightful stories about his day as spokesperson and leader of New Jersey’s 3000 gasoline retailers. (It is conceded by those in the business that it was he who kept self-service out of the state.) Other witnesses who traveled to parishes to speak with him were treated to an inspiring talk liberally sprinkled with his inimitable humor. He loved to talk about the weddings that he and his wife, Jo, gave for their daughters. “. . .five Italian weddings,” he would say grinning widely.   And still they tithed!

And that brings to mind a word that should really head  that list of adjectives that describe Jerry Ferrara. Good. It’s an over-used word, but powerful nonetheless. He was good in a fundamental way. He exuded love of God and love of life, and he was as fine a Catholic laymen as most of us will ever have the privilege to know. And how we’ll miss him. . .

We extend deep sympathy to Jo, and his daughters, and his host of friends. And to all of those pastors and parishioners who will now never have the joy of having Jerry Ferrara in their churches.

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And How We Have Grown!

In December of 1986 we published our first newsletter. In that issue, we noted that the McKenna Tithing Ministry had been introduced in more than 250 parishes in 15 dioceses in 10 States. Now perhaps you’ll check the box above to see for yourself how far we have come.

And we’re not planning to stop! Next month we travel  to a parish in Georgia. . . yet another State. And these days those kinds of calls don’t surprise us the way they did once. They please and edify, but we’re no longer  startled by what the Holy Spirit can do.

The amount of money contributed over those years by the legions of good parishioners in your parishes staggers and boggles. And the numbers of people all over the world who’ve been affected by those tithes defy comprehension. But it’s the souls that have been touched and maybe even changed that are really impressive. You hear from them, don’t you?. . . and you share their thoughts with us.

 And perhaps this is the time to note what some of your comments have done for us. Not infrequently one of you or your parishioners will make an observation about tithing that lifts us off our feet. There is a kind of cross-pollination going on all the time, one feels, and that’s probably the way it’s meant to be.

One thinks of that lovely prayer of English Cardinal John Henry Newman. In part it says “I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. . .”

And that brings us to the comment from Father Joseph   Hilbert, pastor of the beautiful and historic Church of St. Francis Xavier in Gettysburg, Pa. He refers to a “missing” link in a remarkable and provocative way.  (You’ll find his comment on page 4.) Enjoy it as we did. . .

 And thank you all.

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

PARISHIONERS’ COMMENTS. . .

“When I realized that what I was giving would not, over a lifetime, buy a house, I realized I had not even symbolically made an effort to make the Lord as comfortable in my life as He has, is, and will do for me in His. Tithing makes room for Him by making room for others.”

A parishioner
Rev. Marcello J. Latona - Holy Trinity, Whitestone, NY

“Tithing has helped me to appreciate what I have instead of complaining about what I would like to have. I am most grateful for the blessing of this new attitude.”

A parishioner
 Rev. Philip G. Burger - St. Patrick,Trevorton, PA

“I think tithing is something we should all be doing without a second thought.”

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

“Tithing can only help my family in preparing to meet the Lord. . .”

A parishioner
Rev. Patrick J. Berkery - St. Anthony, Ansonia, CT

“When I married, my husband and I began to talk about tithing, but it wasn’t until later that we decided to do it seriously. At this time in our lives, we are earning the least we ever have! I can’t begin to share how the Lord has honored and blessed our pittance.”

A parishioner
Rev. Joseph P. LaMorte - Holy Trinity, Poughkeepsie, NY 

“My Mother used to say that ‘serenity comes to those who know in their hearts that they are do-ing the right thing’. For the past year I have doubled my tithe. It is truly a vehicle that has brought serenity to my life. Thanks, Mom!”

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

“I’m glad to know how much we should be giving. It has been a liberating experience.”

A parishioner                                                  Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Driscoll                                      Notre Dame of Easton, Easton, CT.

“There is a song that says ‘God is watching.’ If we can put on the clothing of a true tither, we certainly don’t have to worry about God watching; in fact, we hope He is watching because we are in tune with His own generosity; I guess what I’m trying to say is ‘it’s a good feeling to care more about God than about self’.”  

A parishioner                                                         Rev. Kevin J. O’Donoghue                                   St. Cecilia, Brooklyn, NY

“Tithing is the test of Christian stewardship, our declaration of dependence on God who made us, who makes it possible for us to earn our keep.”

A parishioner                                                           Rev. William Benonis                                                   Notre Dame de Lourdes, Swarthmore, PA

“When I began tithing I first felt proud to be part of those parishioners who are already tithing; then I felt grateful. I also began to have a greater interest in our church, our parishioners, our faith as a group and my faith as an individual. I know you are not surprised!”

A parishioner                                                           Rev. George J. Kuhn                                                             Good Shepherd and St. Joseph, Rhinebeck, NY

“It struck me that I should tithe when I read the psalm verse which asks, ‘What shall I return to the Lord for all He has given me?”

A parishioner                                                            Rev. Alexander Masluk,                                                      Our Mother of Sorrows, Phila., PA

“Many people do not blink when it comes to spending on an expensive item that they don’t need, but really want. Is it the same when spending on God? I pray I’ll remember this because God didn’t think twice when His Son was sacrificed for what we needed.”

 A parishioner                                                           Rev. Marcello J. Latona,                                             Holy Trinity, Whitestone, NY

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

“As I finish my time of stewardship of the parish, I give thanks to God for leading us to God’s Plan for Giving. It truly has been a blessing for us in many ways. Thanks, as always, to all who are faithful stewards and good tithers. ”

Rev. Alexander Masluk                                        Our Mother of Sorrows, Phila., PA

“The parish story of tithing has become a spiritual statement of growing support of St. John the Evangelist’s pastoral programs and an expanding catalogue of other charitable causes. Every week another and another person or couple inquires about how to ‘sign up for the envelopes.’ We appreciate all our contributors and we pray that the tithing spirit will capture the heart of every last one of our parishioners.”

Rev. Msgr. Neil Graham                                               St. John the Evangelist, White Plains, NY

“Parishioners of Notre Dame take a bow!!! You have shown again the goodness of your heart. Deacon Anthony was so deeply touched by your love and kindness to him. His story of the missionaries in his native Nigeria touched all of our hearts – and you responded with almost four thousand dollars. As always, your charity was over and above your habitual support of our dear parish. Your inspiring faith and generosity is a more eloquent sermon that any preaching could hope to match!”

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

“Part of the tithing outlook is concern for those outside one’s parish. The total response to the Lenten Rice Bowl shows such a concern by all age groups: families, parish school children, and religious education students. With all these contributions the Catholic Relief Services assists hungry children, most probably now in eastern Africa experiencing a drought.”

Rev. Paul E. Schweizer, O.Carm.                               St. Joseph, Bogota, NJ

“Many thanks for returning to God a portion of His goodness to you!. . .Although the increase in the number of our families has been about 10%, the increase in the collection has been about 60%. Many thanks to our tithers!”

Rev. Wilfred F. Mahoney                                         St. Alphonsus, Maple Glen, PA

“The Christian whose trust in Jesus is growing daily thinks in terms of Christ’s love and blessings. He knows that he has received more than he deserves and he desires to respond appropriately. Growing Christians know that the grace of Christ enables them to look at life and rearrange priorities so that an increased giving of money becomes possible out of seemingly unchanging financial resources. The Church isn’t seen as one more demand or charity which receives a slice of a small pie, but a vehicle which provides a viable and profound channel through which the Lord works.”

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

“A gift is something that we do not have to give! No law requires us to give gifts on birthdays and Mother’s Day. Similarly, our gifts to God are prompted by the spirit of generosity. We give because we want to give. We give because we love. Tithing is giving a gift. . .for every gift that we have received.”

Rev. Msgr. Francis A. Carbine                           St. Charles Borromeo, Bensalem, PA

“Stewardship is a life-long conversion process in which we are called to identify ever more closely with Christ. . .to put on a new self created in God’s image. Our lifestyle must reflect a grateful

awareness that God has given us all we possess and a generous heart open to sharing God’s goodness with others.”

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

“In response to last Sunday’s plea for bringing a family to Sunday Mass from the Red Cross Shelter, two parishioners got together to share the good work. A third parishioner was waiting and what a testimony! ‘For the past five years, I.R.S. has really socked it to me! This year I actually got money back. Here’s 10% for that family or whatever other need there is.’ [I wouldn’t be surprised either that helping people to Mass is related to tithing. It sensitizes us to God’s invitation to service.]”

Rev. Msgr. John Miller                                         St. Frances Cabrini, Fairless Hills, PA

“Now that our parish has adopted tithing, we have been able to hire another full time secretary and a full time cleaning lady for the church, Gavan Center, and the parish house. We could NOT have done this without YOUR generosity. Thank you indeed!”

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

“Tithing multiplies your ability to evangelize, educate a new generation of priests, and bring others to the table of the Lord. Thank you for tithing.”

Rev. Joseph C. Hilbert                                         St. Francis Xavier, Gettysburg, PA

“Tithing expresses what our words mean when we say that we ‘love’ God. Our [parish] tithing has been sent to Msgr. Richard Albert who spoke at many of our Masses last Sunday. Msgr. will put the money to good use down in Jamaica. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.”

Rev. Brian Brennan                                                  St. John the Evangelist, Mahopac, NY

“A teacher asked her class what each wanted to become when they grew up. A chorus of responses came from all over the room. ‘A football player,’ ‘A doctor,’ ‘An astronaut,’ ‘A fireman,’ A teacher. . .’  Everyone, that is, except Tommy. The teacher noticed that he was quiet and so she asked him, ’Tommy, what do you want to be?’ ‘Possible’ was his reply. ‘Possible?’ she repeated.  ‘Yes’, Tommy said. ‘My mom is always telling me I’m impossible, so when I get big, I want to be possible.’

“Your weekly sacrifice makes [many things] ‘possible.’ Sr. Leticia visits well over one hundred shut-ins and nursing home residents every month. Sr. Margaret Smith and Sr. Lucille have begun a monthly ministry for those who have lost a loved one. Efforts have been made to upgrade our air conditioning system and keep the church clean. This past winter our heating bills rose $40,000 for church/rectory and $33,000 for the school. All of these extras and ordinaries are ‘possible’ because of your outstanding generosity. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones.”

Rev. James E. Devlin                                                Our Lady of Angels, Brooklyn, NY 

“Tithing may be for us the missing link in our transformation into a more Christ-like person. Thank you for tithing.”

Rev. Joseph C. Hilbert                                                  St. Francis Xavier, Gettysburg, PA

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