Church etiquette re. donations

D

decembersal

Registered User
Messages
158
Hi Guys,
I have asked my local church to say a mass for the first anniversary of a relative. The Sacristan never mentioned anything re. donations. I was just wondering what the norm is?
Cheers
DS
 
I usually make a donation of around €20 if the person's remembered during a regular scheduled mass... If the mass is being specifically celebrated for the person, then I usually donate €50 (plus a large box of the priest's favourite choccies... Gawd, he's got a sweet tooth!)...:D

Darth...
 
I think it's such a disgrace that priests need to be paid - surely €10 or €20 is more than enough to donate? Anybody else any views on priests being paid for funerals/weddings/letters of freedom etc. Do they know there is a recession on? Why don't the Dioces issue guidelines on this?
 
TLC, maybe you need a separate thread in Letting Off Steam if you want to have a rant.
 
TLC said:
I think it's such a disgrace that priests need to be paid - surely €10 or €20 is more than enough to donate? Anybody else any views on priests being paid for funerals/weddings/letters of freedom etc. Do they know there is a recession on? Why don't the Dioces issue guidelines on this?
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Priests have to live as well and in many dioceses they've taken a pay cut like much of the rest of the country. I can't comment on other parishes, but I know in my own parish, they often refuse to take money, especially if they know the person does not have a lot of it
 
Mathpac: don't think it's really letting off steam - just making a point.
Mpsox: Don't see to many priests suffering in this country & have NEVER seen a priest refuse money - again not letting off steam - making a point
 
TLC said:
I think it's such a disgrace that priests need to be paid - surely €10 or €20 is more than enough to donate? Anybody else any views on priests being paid for funerals/weddings/letters of freedom etc. Do they know there is a recession on? Why don't the Dioces issue guidelines on this?
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Why is it a disgrace? Do you think the church heats itself, paints itself, repairs itself etc? The money is not for the priest, its a donation towards the upkeep of the parish.
 
liaconn said:
Why is it a disgrace? Do you think the church heats itself, paints itself, repairs itself etc? The money is not for the priest, its a donation towards the upkeep of the parish.
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Whilst this may be true, the catholic church in Ireland is not exactly short of money as far as I can see. Plenty of priests near me with housekeepers, nice cars etc. If individual parishes struggle, surely the money should be spead around a bit?
 
Caveat said:
Whilst this may be true, the catholic church in Ireland is not exactly short of money as far as I can see. Plenty of priests near me with housekeepers, nice cars etc. If individual parishes struggle, surely the money should be spead around a bit?
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There are 4 priests in our parish. Each of them lives in a large 2 storey house. The properties are owned by the parish. I cannot see why, if nuns, brothers in religious orders live in one dwelling, the same cannot be done for priests. There would be savings all round, release of capital ( when property times were good ) on disposal of unnecessary houses and no duplication of repairs , heating etc. I have never understood the need for this way of living.
 
Caveat said:
Whilst this may be true, the catholic church in Ireland is not exactly short of money as far as I can see. Plenty of priests near me with housekeepers, nice cars etc. If individual parishes struggle, surely the money should be spead around a bit?
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The money is spread around. Why do you object to paying for the use of the church for weddings, Christenings etc? People who go to Mass every Sunday contribute on a weekly basis to the upkeep of the Church and Parish which is why you have a nice Church for your Weddings and Holy Communions and so on. We don't object and also make a donation when we use the Church for a special occasion, but I know so many people who just use the Church now and again and go mad when they're asked to make a contribution. It just seems a bit mean to me. And priests may have housekeepers, but that's because they're on call 24/7. They still need to eat, and live in clean accommodation.
 
liaconn said:
The money is spread around. Why do you object to paying for the use of the church for weddings, Christenings etc? People who go to Mass every Sunday contribute on a weekly basis to the upkeep of the Church and Parish which is why you have a nice Church for your Weddings and Holy Communions and so on. We don't object and also make a donation when we use the Church for a special occasion, but I know so many people who just use the Church now and again and go mad when they're asked to make a contribution. It just seems a bit mean to me. And priests may have housekeepers, but that's because they're on call 24/7. They still need to eat, and live in clean accommodation.
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Personally, I don't use any church for anything.

But I can understand your frustration, highlighted.

It just seems a bit rich to me that in addition to collections for the upkeep of the church, there are also donations. If the church/parish is in such dire need you would think that things like housekeepers, new cars and the rest should be looked at before the pockets of parishioners.

For example, in the COI (who I'm certain have a lot less money than the RC church) there is no culture or expectation of 'donations' or the like at all. Only at standard collections do parishioners contribute to the upkeep of the church/parish.

As for priests needing housekeepers because they are on call 24/7, please, c'mon.
 
liaconn said:
And priests may have housekeepers, but that's because they're on call 24/7. They still need to eat, and live in clean accommodation.
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On our parish there is one mobile phone for all 4 priests and whoever is on call that week gets the phone. The other three are not on 24/7 for that week. Additionally, I believe only 1 of the 4 has a housekeeper. Those days are dying out too. We all need to eat work and live in clean accommodation. I dont think that has anything to do with the matter of donations.
 
Well, in my parish there are only two priests and they are run ragged. The Parish Priest is old and in bad health. I do not grudge him a woman coming in for a couple of hours a day to hoover and make him a dinner. If people object to paying towards the upkeep of the Church and and the Priests, then don't use the Church and you won't be bothered for any money by them.
 
Ill just stick my head up above the parapet and mention:

Youre all talking about this as though the Catholic Church should be concerned about its parishioneers and not take money off them without good reason.

At what point will it dawn that the Catholic Church, and any other organised religion, is organised for 2 reasons only:
(1) to make money
(2) to gain power

I can see the conversation with the Pope now:
'Listen the people of Ireland think that with the recession and all that that they shouldnt have to fork out for a donation for the priest on top of the housekeeper and new car and fine house he has - what do you think?'.
Answer: 'oh well, keep getting the donations off who you can then'.

Now I will lower my head again and wait for the backlash, I have in the past been accused of extreme disrespect for making honest comments about organised religion so for anyone who is offended with my above imaginary conversation with the pope - please take it as intended, humourously.

Oh and just to add, I happen to agree with Liaconn, if youre signing up to the whole religion thing and expect the church to be there for you for your special occasions and a priest to do the duties etc....then why complain when asked to make a donation. If you dont like it, dont use the church.
 
Hi Truthseeker

I agree with 99% of the remarks you make on these boards. However, we will have to disagree as regards religion :).
 
liaconn said:
Hi Truthseeker

I agree with 99% of the remarks you make on these boards. However, we will have to disagree as regards religion :).
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But note Im still in agreement with you that if people dont like donating - then dont use the church!!
 
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