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brian
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 720 |
| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Tue Jun 12th, 2007 05:07 pm |
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If a person were registered at one parish, but found him or herself attending a different parish instead more regularly and had not yet decided to change registration but thought it would possibbly happen and started thinking of themselves as being more and more of a member at the one not registered to, which one should they financially support? The one they are registered at or the one they believe in their heart they belong to and will end up with? Would it be ok to split the money in half and give half to each parish while still attending both of them until the decision was reached? Are you more obligated to give to the church where you are registered or is it a matter of heart? Could you give all of it to the church you are not registered at but feel more at home in and will eventually call home most likely? If you were 100% sure you were going to change would that make a difference or should you wait till it is official.
I do not want this to be a discussion about good or bad reasons to change parishes, let's just assume the reason is good and valid such as moving a few miles or some valid reason. But I just wanted to ask the question regardless of whether or not changing registrations is advised in which cases, and assuming that it is or might be for the best in this proposed case.
thanks
Brian
Last edited on Tue Jun 12th, 2007 05:07 pm by brian
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1715 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Jun 12th, 2007 06:36 pm |
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The parish where a person is registered should always receive the first consideration. What one gives there should be the full measure, stewardship according to conscience. Anything one gives to other causes, including to other parishes he may attend, should be over and above this.
If a person is not satisfied with the parish where he is registered, he should consult his confessor or spiritual director as to the advisability of moving to, utilizing and/or supporting a different parish. There are reasons which are valid and good, and there are others which are not. Such consultation will help sort out the one from the other.
David
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brian
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 720 |
| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jun 13th, 2007 04:27 am |
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Iwas just curious if say you moved to a new parish and were attending it regularly but simply have not gotten around to re-registering if you should wait to support it and keep sending money to the other one until it is officially your parish.
also, When you say give the whole to one place and over and above to other causes. Well help me with this if you can.
What if I choose one percentage to be the amount I give to my home parish regularly and that I also set aside a different yet smaller amount for other charitable cases such as second offerings or missionaries or world hunger or friends in need or whatever. Say (and I will make up exaggerated numbers) each week I give 20% of my income to my parish and set aside 10% for other causes, are you saying I should give all 30% to the parish since it is what I set aside each week and if I want to support other things that I should go even beyond this? Or is it ok that anticipating that I want to support more organizations than just a church I already set aside the number in my mind that I want to do above and beyond on a regular basis, saying that the 20% is what is my commitment to the parish, but the other 10% is my choice to also give where I please? Or by vitue of the fact that I am setting it aside ea week does that mean it should be given to my church. and I should more randomly and when moved to do so support other organizations as I see fit?
Brian
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jun 13th, 2007 08:49 am |
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Brian, only the core amount that you set aside to give to your home parish (where you are registered) should be considered inviolable. Anything in addition to this, even if you have decided on a set amount or a set proportion of your income (as, for example, by tithing), can be divided between any reasonable number of other worthwhile causes God has inspired you to support.
The prudential portions do not have to be equal, either. Ultimately, it all goes to the Lord, who then returns it to the human world in the form of grace and human aid, so no matter where your donations go, it is your cumulative generosity that God considers.
David
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 270 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Sun Jun 17th, 2007 07:06 pm |
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This brings to mind a question.
When I am travelling I always put my usual weekly amount in the offering at the church I am visiting. And I usually, not always, depending on my finances at the time, just skip over that week at my home parish. Is this ok? Or should I double up and give an offering at both?
Beth
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David W. Emery
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| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Jun 17th, 2007 08:04 pm |
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Beth, what does your conscience tell you? That while you are away, your home parish has no needs? Does God go on vacation too?
It’s true that God is everywhere, and his Church is in most places of the world. But your parish does not follow you around. I consider my parish somewhat like my mother. I may be visiting another place, but my mother is someone special. Her needs are my duty wherever I am and wherever she is.
Of course, others may have a different outlook. You may be one of those.
David
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Sun Jun 17th, 2007 10:48 pm |
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beachmoss wrote: Is this ok? Or should I double up and give an offering at both?
Your obligation is to your home parish. This is the parish that provides religious education to your children and sacraments to your family. You may also be asked to contribute to diocesan programs, building funds, etc., but your primary obligation is to support your parish's regular needs.
When I am visiting another parish I usually put in a few dollars, but my contribution to my home parish remains the same. In fact, I have it set up on an automatic check from my bank account, so I don't put anything in the "basket".
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
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| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Sun Jun 17th, 2007 11:38 pm |
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OK. Thanks, guys! I'll be sure to catch up with my home parish when I return from next week's trip!
Beth
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Annie
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| Joined: | Wed Feb 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
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| First Name: | Annie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nothing, Quaker, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic |
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Posted: Wed Jun 20th, 2007 01:38 pm |
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| I give a set amount to my home parish and pay pew rent at wherever I happen to be that week, either at home or away. I go to a lot of different parishes just to see what's going on.
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Annie
Ora et labora
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 270 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Wed Jun 20th, 2007 04:49 pm |
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Annie,
"Pew rent"--I love it!!!
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
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| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Wed Jun 20th, 2007 08:37 pm |
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beachmoss wrote: "Pew rent"--I love it!!!
There used to be an actual charge to sit in a designated pew, at least in my area. In rural parishes, when I was a kid, pews carried labels indicating which family was permitted to sit in the pew. We would see them when we would visit family. Many families in my small town still think they "own" their pew, and are not happy when others sit in them!
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 270 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Wed Jun 20th, 2007 11:30 pm |
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Wow! I never knew such a thing existed. Kinda like season tickets, huh?
In the SB church where I was raised all the little old ladies had their pillows on their pews and everyone knew who belonged where. And at the UMC where my preschooler goes to school they joke about the "reserved pews." The people don't pay a fee, but they certainly have their seats reserved.
We have one very large family in our parish that takes up an entire row. The usher usually puts a "reserved" sign on one row, at least until mass has begun, for them. After mass begins he removes it so anyone can sit there.
Thanks for the info, Rick! That was quite interesting!
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Jun 20th, 2007 11:57 pm |
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beachmoss wrote: Thanks for the info, Rick! That was quite interesting!
I should also mention that the pews in the back were available for those who didn't pay for their pews. In the south, that also meant that if you didn't buy your pew, you had to sit with African Americans. Thank God I am not old enough to remember that.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
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| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Thu Jun 21st, 2007 12:33 am |
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CajunRick wrote: In the south, that also meant that if you didn't buy your pew, you had to sit with African Americans.
Which begs another question--were the Catholic Churches ever segregated in the American south?
Being raised SB, I know well about segregated churches, which remained so long after integration elsewhere. In fact the church I was raised in received a black candidate for baptism and several older members walked out! That was probably only about 25 years ago. The man quietly left the church after that. That church is now a little more racially diverse, but it's still very white.
That is one thing I love about the Catholic Church--the racial diversity in the pews! I just don't understand a segregated church. Where is the love of Christ in that?!
Beth
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CajunRick
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Posted: Thu Jun 21st, 2007 01:22 am |
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beachmoss wrote: CajunRick wrote: In the south, that also meant that if you didn't buy your pew, you had to sit with African Americans.
Which begs another question--were the Catholic Churches ever segregated in the American south?
Yes, but mostly de facto rather than de jure. Black Catholics tended to go to black parishes. Today there are probably more white Catholics in black parishes than the other way around, depending on the community. We have one black family that attends our parish church (they moved in last year and were welcomed), and several mixed-race children who live and/or attend with their grandparents. The community where I live is a bayou community with few black residents. In fact, when my daughter was in elementary school, her public school was totally white. There were simply no black students living in the district, and it was too far to bus them in. The school is still some 90% white.
Where blacks and whites attended church together, members of prominent families bought pews in the front, and blacks and poor whites sat in the back. That was before the 1950's, however, but older families still "owned" their pews. Into the 70's when I moved to this parish, the family names were still on the pews.
I know a prominent judge in south Louisiana was excommunicated in the sixties because he literally stood on the steps of the church and physically prevented black Catholics from entering the church. He was removed by federal marshalls and to the best of my knowledge, never attended church again. That was an extreme, however. When integration officially took place, it was mostly without incident. There were much more serious problems with integration in northern cities.
That is one thing I love about the Catholic Church--the racial diversity in the pews! I just don't understand a segregated church. Where is the love of Christ in that?!
Segration in the Catholic Church was never a rule in cities like New Orleans. Communities were segregated in that people lived in neighborhoods of the same ethnic makeup, and there were churches in every neighborhood. The Irish had St. Patrick's, the Italians had St. Joseph's, African Americans had St. Augustine's, etc. In some rural communities the races attended church together, but tended to sit separately. It was simply the way it was. I still like to sit in the back of the street cars when I visit New Orleans because when I was little, I wasn't allowed to sit back there. But we had a few black students in my Catholic school in the 50's, and they attended my parish church and their parents worked in my dad's store.
I grew up believing that some people were trash and some were not. Which group they belonged in depended on their actions, not the color of their skin. I grew up hearing the "n" word quite frequently, but I never used it. There were white people and there were "colored people." I visited a small north Louisiana bible belt town in the summer of 1962 where I was not allowed in the stores because I was "Catholic"! While there, we spent a week in a small, black country town in Arkansas with no electricity, no running water, no telephones, etc., and absolutely no white people. They made me feel welcomed. That was not true for the all-white town where I got a small taste of what discrimination felt like. At the black Baptist church I was honored and welcomed; at the white Baptist church I was condemned! That summer taught me a lot.
But I am also old enough to remember Klan activity in the rural areas including bombings, lynchings, and cross burnings. But the problems were much more severe in the "Bible belt" than in the Catholic areas.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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