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

"Regarding tithing, nothing better has happened at St. Callistus in 34 years. Thank you for following what the Spirit is saying - we must continue to teach the spirituality of tithing, so that the joy of giving can be experienced."

A parishioner. Rev. Dana Michaels St Callistus, El Sobrante, CA

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"Most of the things I have, I never asked for and God still gave them to me. I don’t think He should have to ask me to share the blessings I would never have had without help."

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

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"I thank those people who helped me to see that God never stops giving. That has become my first thought before I give."

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

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"After the Communion of the Mass the celebrant says to himself ‘What return shall I give to the Lord for all that He has given me?’ I try to give 5% [of my income] to my parish. Some weeks it takes a real act of faith just like Abraham when he left his home country for the wilderness."

A parishioner. Rev. Leo N. Bierster St. Joan of Arc, Hershey, PA

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" ‘Giving’ is a special word. I hope to set a good example so that my children will learn the meaning of sharing."

A parishioner. Rev. Msgr. Howard W. Calkins Sacred Heart Mt. Vernon, NY

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"Tithing has intensified my trust in God. It gives me the opportunity to think more and when I am in that frame of mind, thinking becomes prayer. And you know what? It is no longer a burden."

A parishioner. Rev. Msgr. Howard W. Calkins Sacred Heart, Mount Vernon, NY

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"My husband and I believe in tithing; we have heard testimonies of people who attribute their good fortune to giving ten percent of their income back to God. Because of this, I guess we shouldn’t have been amazed at our flourishing business when we took over a small café in our town. One Sunday we were overwhelmingly busy. My husband laughed and said, ‘We will either have to give less to the church or hire more help!’ We hired more help."

A parishioner. Rev. Edward R. Scott St. Thomas More and St. Mary, Lake Ariel, PA

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"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 10% seems like a lot of money to me, I think I can do it."

A parishioner. Rev. Msgr. Frank Wissel St. Mary, Greenwich, CT.

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"I have been blessed a hundred-fold. After my retirement I was tempted to cut back on my contributions, giving what I thought I should. After re-thinking and figuring I find I am giving 10% and am happy doing it."

A parishioner. Rev. Msgr. Richard Guastella, Holy Rosary, Staten Island, NY

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"As a senior citizen, years ago my friends and I got used to giving a dollar or two to church every week. Over the years, our salaries increased tremendously as did church expenses, but we still gave a dollar or two. It never occurred to us that the percentage of our income given to God was decreasing even though God was greatly multiplying our income. Tithing helped me to realize just how un-generous I really was."

A parishioner. Rev. Harry Romano Our Lady of the Rosary, Coatesville, PA

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"Without taking a ‘giant leap in faith’, the tithing message would have simply been a request for church support. I listened to the tithing witnesses, I read the letters, the brochure, and then I prayed; the solution became clear to me. Tithing would have to become an important part of my life - as important to me as my parish and my way of thanking God for His goodness."

A parishioner. Rev. Msgr. Marc Filacchione St. Michael, New York, NY

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"Tithing has been my salvation. Returning to God part of my income made me realize that I must return more of my time to those around me. Doing this has been rewarding here and hopefully hereafter."

A parishioner. Rev. Henry J. Smyth St. Catherine of Siena, Horsham, PA

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"We are retired, living on a pension, and have much to be thankful for. We care for our 93 year-old Mother-in-law who lives with us. We contribute 5% of our income each week and the other 5% we contribute to the Catholic education of our two grandchildren."

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

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"I make a tiny salary, but I decided to TITHE anyway. Since I have been tithing, several good things have happened to me financially, not major windfalls, just a few breaks. I am not TITHING because I expect anything in return. I do believe though that this has been God’s way of saying, ‘Just do My will, try to be good, and I will take care of you.’ "

A parishioner. Rev. Andrew J. Hanlon, Our Lady of Charity, Brookhaven, PA

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"We are blessed to have such a beautiful House of Worship. I sometimes take for granted what is necessary to keep it in repair and good order. I know that my tithe helps."

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

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"It’s scary to think we can afford it - 3 kids, a house payment, cost of living, etc. But if I believe everything else the Bible tells me, why shouldn’t I believe God when He tells me to tithe? We are willing to take the leap of faith; every week I pray we survive."

A parishioner. Rev. William C. Michatek St. John the Evangelist, Spencerport, NY

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"Christian tithing is the consequence of an experience with God, the natural reaction of the human heart that has been touched by the divine spirit."

A parishioner. Rev. Kevin P. Murray Blessed Katharine Drexel Chester, PA

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