PASTORS' COMMENTS:

"Sometimes good people forget that inflation doesn't stop at the doors of the church...I imagine some of our parishioners will be happy come April 15, Income Tax Day, when they find they will have to pay less to Internal Revenue because they gave more to eternal revenue!"

The late Rev. Msgr. Francis Blake, former Pastor, Holy Family, Nutley, NJ

"Last Sunday a little boy handed me an envelope. When I opened it I saw that it contained two dollars in loose change. For me that said it all."

Rev. Msgr. Francis Seymour, then Pastor, Guardian Angel, Allendale, NJ

"A few weeks ago in this spot [the parish bulletin] I put in a comment from St. Rose's [East Hanover] bulletin. Father Mc Carthy wrote that he got down on his knees after the first few tithing collections to thank God for the generosity and faith of his parishioners. He's not the only one. I've done that regularly the last six months. After I heard what the Easter collection was, I said what I think was one of my most sincere prayers in some time - thanking God for the faith you people have. You're generous because of your faith, and that sign of faith affects me profoundly. Thank you for your generosity."

Rev. Msgr. Paul Longua, Pastor, Church of the Holy Family, Florham Pk. NJ

"An Anglican friend of St. Pius writes:'I would like to share my happiness for your new way of...giving. Giving one tenth of your earnings is the way our Lord describes in the Bible. The Lord will provide for his children who take care of His Church. Tithing is an excellent way of sharing your love with God. Your commitment is necessary to keep your Church going forward with God's Word. My prayers are with St. Pius Church and School.' "

Rev. Kenneth Letoile, O.P., Pastor, St. Pius V, Providence, RI