THE CHEERFUL GIVERS

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

PARISHIONERS’ COMMENTS. . .

“I am 16 years old. I would like to know if I can have my own envelope system to tithe because I have a job and I feel thankful. I figure what is 5% or 10% to give to the church who really needs it to help others.”

A (very special) parishioner!!!
Rev. William Cosgrove
St. Denis, Hopewell Junction, NY

“For the past month or so, I have been praying to St. Jude, who has helped me, and to God, to let me know His will. . .So here I am joining the parish and the first thing I see is tithing. I wonder if this is God’s will? The thing I most want my son to learn (and he’s not there yet) is the joy of loving and giving. God’s greatest gift to us is each other. We certainly are our brothers’ keeper, and I guess I haven’t been immune to the argument that the church could be doing more for the poor and the sick with its money. At any rate, I have been lacking in my personal relationship with God. I guess trying to live like Jesus is not enough (although I’m sorely lacking in my efforts there, too.) I guess the faith is the thing, and I guess if tithing will help me with that, I guess I better try it.”

A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Duane
St. John of the Cross, Roslyn, PA

“My parents always used the Holy Family as their style="mso-spacerun: yes"> model. Their example led me to believe and feel - this is right, this is what Jesus, Mary and Joseph did. Knowing that God’s direction is leading me in tithing is exciting to me. Thank you, Father Hudak, the parish of Immaculate Conception and the wonderful people who came to explain this to us.”

A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. Francis Hudak
Immaculate Conception, New Oxford, PA

“Recently I had my monthly bills out on the desk to begin writing checks. It really struck me that the cheapest ‘bill’ was what I put in my monthly envelope. I looked at all the other bills and realized that none of them give me the peace, the joy and the support that my faith gives. I hope to slowly set my priorities straight.”

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

“Tithing is a very practical way to meet a Christ-ian requirement, namely the financial support of the Lord’s good works. I’m sure this is about the best way to solve the money worries that plague pastors and people alike.”

A parishioner
Rev. Robert P. Morrissey
St. Mary, Ridgefield, CT

“I heard a mission appeal during vacation. It described all the many things I have taken for granted and other people neither have nor have ever experienced. I have learned to appreciate what I have instead of complaining about what I would like to have. I have also learned to share what I have with other people who don’t have.”

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

“I think tithing is the best thing that happened in our church. I have prayed and I know this is God’s will. It is the right thing to do, give to God first. I want to add that I was just watching TV about Padre Pio and thought. . .if we take his motto, PRAY, HOPE, AND DON’T WORRY,” all will be OK.”

A parishioner
Rev. Richard R. York
St. Bridget, Philadelphia, PA

“My understanding of what giving back to God means was changed when a speaker at a tithing workshop asked: ‘If you were giving $10 in the weekly Offertory collection, is that a significant donation?’ Most of us said ‘Yes.’ The speaker then explained that if $10 was a person’s weekly 5% tithe, then his/her gross annual income was $10,000. This was a shock to many of us in the audience. I knew my annual gross exceeded $10.000. Realizing that I was not returning to God my tithe, I increased my weekly gift. But I learned much more. It is NOT ‘me’ giving to ‘them.’ It is  ‘me’ returning to ‘God’ for use in His Church, the first 10% of what He gives me. Trusting God in this way opened the door for many blessings in my life. It has also helped me to better budget the other 90% -- what God gives me for my own use.”

A parishioner
Rev. Peter D. Gillen
St. Rose of Lima, Rockaway Beach, NY

“I honestly tried to analyze all of the real blessings we have been given, financially and spiritually, and so I made a commitment to implement this concept. I admit it wasn’t easy, but since we have integrated tithing into our life, it has work- ed. I am asking you to pray about it and discuss the idea with your family and make your best decision. God will direct and provide you with a way to accomplish what you’ve decided to do.”

A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. Sydney C. Burgoyne
St. John Fisher, Boothwyn, PA

“What does it mean to give back my tithe to the Lord? For me, it is an acknowledgment that everything I have comes from God. I do not wake in the morning unless it is God’s will. He has provided me with the talents necessary to earn a living, pay my bills, live securely. Above all, He has given me the one thing I could never have obtained on my own – eternal salvation. My tithe in return is truly insignificant.”

A parishioner
Rev. Peter D. Gillen
St. Rose of Lima, Rockaway Beach, NY

“When I consider all that God has given me, I feel ashamed that my contribution is so small. But then I take confidence in the knowledge that God can do great things with the least.”

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

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

“Tithing isn’t a gamble on what can be, it’s an acknowledgment of what is. God has, is, and always will do for us. By tithing, we’re just saying ‘Thank You.’ “

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

“I’m sure you are aware that during the summer our collection is always lower because so many of our parishioners and their families spend the summer away from New Canaan. This summer, while the collection is smaller than the rest of the year, it still continues to surpass previous summers’ contributions. It is both heartwarming and very much appreciated that - while so many of you are taking vacations from work and other daily responsibilities - you haven’t taken a ‘vacation’ from your decision to tithe. I pray that your summer continues to be relaxing and revitalizing, and I thank you again for your unwavering support.”

Rev. Msgr. J. Peter Cullen
St. Aloysius, New Canaan, CT

“Did Mary tithe? If she didn’t, it was only because from her first moment she was 100% God-directed. She and Joseph took the risk from the beginning. They understood nothing of what God was asking of them as they accepted her pregnancy, went to Bethlehem for the census, escaped to Egypt, gave the gift of the poorest at the Child’s presentation in the temple. Joseph died, Jesus went off impelled by the Spirit. What was left to Mary but soon to stand at the foot of the Cross? . . . She was sinless from the outset. We are not. She gave that 100% every moment. We do not. With all God’s poor, thank you for growing in our Lady’s example. The sacrifice of the first 10% of the riches God entrusts to us leads us on the journey of dedicating all God’s bounty to God.”

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

“As the parish CEO, I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that tithing has generated additional funds for us just when we needed them the most as we work towards the completion of our construction project.

“But as Pastor and Spiritual Leader of the parish, I am most grateful that so many people are trusting God enough to adopt His biblical Plan for giving and are thereby reaping the spiritual and material benefits thereof.”

Rev. Edward R. Scott
St. Thomas More & St. Mary, Lake Ariel, PA

“God is able to take lowly objects like bread and wine and use them to produce great results like the Body and Blood of His Son. In the same manner, He uses our weekly tithe to promote His Kingdom here on earth. Thank you for such faithfulness in proclaiming the Gospel in this community.”

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

“As your generosity continues to grow through tithing, so does our ability to help others less fortunate than ourselves. Operation Appalachia is just such an example. It was so touching to be able to help a family stay together by providing adequate living facilities for them. We could not have done this without your faith commitment. Thank you for making a difference. . .in my life as well. Pray for me.”

Rev. Jude S. Salus, O.S.B. Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel, Cedar Knolls, NJ

“A parishioner told me that he was impressed by something that President Truman once said. In his Missouri wisdom, he is reported as saying, ‘What’s important in life is what you learn after you know it all!’

“The parishioner said that he thought he knew all about church support and could never see the extravagance of tithing. First he read our booklet ‘A GIANT LEAP IN FAITH’ and then began to tithe. The peace of mind and contentment that comes from doing one’s fair share by returning some of God’s goodness to Him proved that old ‘Harry’ was right!”

Rev. Wilfred F. Maloney "
St. Alphonsus, Maple Glen, PA

“Many times people fail to realize the cost of maintaining and operating a parish like OLA. Bishop Daily visited our parish . . . and he remarked, “You have a lot of buildings here! Even though our expenses are high (our insurance costs are over $50,000. a year!) your generosity allows us to pay our bills. . . My prayers for all the good people of OLA!”

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

“If your spiritual life is bogged down in apathy, indifference or failure to produce fruit, make God your priority through tithing and see the difference. Thank you for being a dedicated tither.” ">

Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Hudak "
Immaculate Conception, New Oxford, PA

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Did You Know. . . . .?

John Hannigan of the Baltimore Diocese, formerly from the Paterson Diocese and one of our earliest witnesses, broke his ankle playing golf just before a summer trip to Rome. ">Despite that misfortune, he and Kay decided to go ahead with their plans. ">At an audience with the Holy Father, John's appearance in a wheel chair caught the attention of the compassionate Pontiff and the Hannigans then had a wonderful personal chat with him complete with pictures! What a reward for being a good sport!

Father James E. Devlin, pastor of Our Lady of Angels in Brooklyn and current Advisory Board/chaplain of the McKenna Ministry, was recently featured on the front page of the BROOKLYN TABLET. Father Devlin was doing one of his favorite things: blessing the animals in the manner of St. Francis of Assisi.

Another of our faithful witnesses (who is also a Board member), Marshall Coakley of Nativity Parish in Warminster, PA, recently got married. We ask your prayers for him and his bride for a happy life together. "

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