Hey Deacon

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the 3rd Precept of the Church and the obligation to receive Holy Communion at least once per year – during Eastertide. This week I examine the 5th Precept that states that we are “to provide for the material needs of the Church, according to our abilities.” (CCC 2043) We are to share our time, talent, and treasure for the needs of our parish, our diocese and the global Church.

I recall when I was in my mid 20s when a friend invited me to attend a presentation at his Christian church. The topic was on financial planning which included tithing – giving 10% of your income back to God (church). The presenter shared how various denominations approach tithing, noting that all faith denominations can do better. He said Baptists do it the best and Catholics, not so much. I was brave enough to ask a question regarding the percentage breakdown. He said most Catholics give between 1% and 3% of their income to their church. I did a quick calculation on my giving. I was a paltry 2%. I must admit the presentation moved me and challenged me to do better. Honest confession, it took me a few years to double my giving and many more to meet God’s standard. Letting go and trusting God is tough.

To be clear, the Catholic Church does not mandate a specific percentage for tithing, recognizing that the ability to give varies among individuals and families. Instead, the Church encourages Catholics to prayerfully discern their financial capacity and give proportionately, according to what one is able to contribute. However, the Church does ask the faithful to help with Christ’s salvific mission to evangelize, educate, and bring others to Christ. To do so requires monetary support from the faithful.

Over the past four years, I have been blessed to be the parish administrator at Our Lady of the Ozarks parish in Forsyth. I continue to feel loved and blessed. And as the parish administrator, I am responsible for being a good steward of the parish’s resources. Which brings me to the delicate position of asking each of us at our parishes, Our Lady of the Ozarks, Lake, and Cove, to reexamine our financial contributions to our parish and diocese. The DDF campaign begins this Sunday.

The Forsyth parish community of 90 households, while smaller now than pre-covid, remains strong and vibrant. However, monthly operating expenses: keeping the lights on, heating and cooling, normal maintenance, and surprise repairs, keep edging higher. Over the last six months our Sunday collections have fallen behind our expenses. Not to mention that three weeks ago we discovered termites in the sacristy - $4,600 later, plus a new annual maintenance expense. I am not sounding the alarm. There is adequate money in savings, but I would not be a good steward if I did not share this information. I believe we can collectively reverse this trend with a gentle nudge.

I hope that my words have been received with love and understanding. Asking people to reevaluate their level of giving is never easy but a topic that needs to be addressed on occasion.

Jesus told the rich young man to sell all that he had and give it to the poor – 100%. He praised the poor widow who gave her last two coins to the Temple. In your prayerful consideration, find a balance between 1% and 100%. Give what you can and maybe a little more. Give with trust. Give with joy.

Author Bio:
Deacon Dan Vaughn