Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral

Frequently Asked Questions on Stewardship

Why don’t we hear more from the pulpit on Stewardship?

The Church is first and foremost about the salvation of souls. That’s why the Lord Jesus became human and instituted His Church. Consequently, spiritual guidance, moral instruction, doctrinal instruction and clarification, reflection on the Scriptures read at Mass… this must form the basis of sound preaching in the parish. That’s what our priests and deacons seek to do in preparing their homilies… that’s what should happen “from the pulpit.”

There is almost always some emphasis placed on sharing time and talents with the parish community… being a part of some endeavor or activity, taking on some leadership, providing service in some ministry. Twice a year – in the fall (annual Stewardship renewal) and in February (Bishop’s annual Charity and Development Appeal) do we actually hear about “money” from the pulpit… and then, it’s usually presented by members of the lay faithful themselves, and not at the expense of the Sunday homily which cannot be dispensed.

As an aside, Father has often found that if we don’t talk about stewardship, people ask why not? If we do talk about stewardship, then “the Church is always asking for something… and is only interested in money… it’s always about money!”. The Church is not a business, but there are business aspects to life in the Church, just as there are in all of our households. What’s more… stewardship IS part of the Gospel.

How did the idea of a “collection” get thought up?

In the Bible, God commands the “tithe,” a designated tenth of all the possessions of the faithful to be given to Him. God wanted to teach His people that we cannot be too attached to earthly good, but to rely on Him as the source of all we are and all we have. It’s not because God needs money… but because we, as human persons, have a need to give and to be generous!

In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that the faithful placed their possessions “at the feet of the Apostles,” to be used for the good of the Church (cf. Acts 4:32-35). Sacrificial giving was seen as voluntarily giving up something of value, joining it to Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross, and surrendering to God’s Providence. The Mass makes presence Christ’s Sacrifice, and so a “voluntary” offering of our goods is taken up during the celebration.

The Church will always be in need. That’s part of life this side of eternity, but again, we all have a need to give and to be generous.

Incidentally, prior to the common and general usage of “money” in transactions that evolved gradually from the times of the Roman Empire and through the Middle Ages, it would not at all be uncommon for the faithful to share good – wine, oil, fire wood, livestock, land, produce – with the Church. In other words, that which was most valuable and would constitute a true sacrifice.

It’s different today with envelopes and direct electronic giving, but the principle is the same… we share a portion of our temporal goods out of love for God. He knows what’s best for us and He knows that we all have a need to be generous. TIME is a commodity few can spare these days, but just about everyone can participate easily in stewardship by sharing a portion of their income in sacrificial giving.

With all the big, beautiful churches we have… shouldn’t more money go to helping the poor?

Church buildings are dedicated to God Himself… they are for worship of Him alone. They are beautiful because He deserves it, and we do, too… for these buildings are “sacramentals” WITH which we worship Him… they assist us in raising our minds and hearts to heaven and to God Who inspires US to do every good work!

Art and beautiful objects certainly don’t BRING the Church any income… if anything, they cost the Church to maintain and upkeep. But again, God and His people are worth it! The Lord Jesus affirmed this when He said, “God delights in such tokens of affection as people can offer Him.” He further asserted that the Temple is “a house of prayer and worship.”

Sadly, Judas, who betrayed the Lord, asked the very same question. And the Lord would tell His apostles, “the poor you will always have with you.”

It always seems that it’s an “either/or” situation, instead of a “both/and.” Either we expend vast resources on buildings and facilities and artwork and neglect our obligations to the poor and destitute… Or we expend monies, often carelessly, on programs and social causes and projects, and neglect worship of God. Both are essential.

In reality, our churches should be places where peoples’ minds and hearts are lifted to contemplate and reflect God and the kingdom of heaven; these have to be maintained somehow! Those who know and love God will also know equally that we cannot neglect service to the truly destitute and poor among us.

Ss. Simon & Jude facilitates a great deal in terms of service to the poor and needy, and subsidizes programs designed to help the poor help themselves. Tens of thousands of dollars have been expended in direct assistance to those in need.

Just for some perspective… in the early 1970s, Pope Paul VI placed a great number of art pieces and treasures from the Vatican Museums on the shelf for sale to assist suffering peoples in Africa. Over half the items did not sell – there was no interest, no market, and people were scandalized to think that “history” could be sold off so carelessly. What the Holy Father did sell amounted to around $12 million… it was distributed for aid and gone within a few hours… and the need continues.

How is financial decision making in the parish carried out?

In terms of planning and development, each year the Rector and the finance administrator (a member of the lay faithful) prepare the annual budget in consultation with various parish departments (i.e. religious education, school, liturgy and music, administration, etc.). The budget is submitted to the Parish Finance Committee – an advisory board of the lay faithful that is mandated by the Canon Law of the Church. This committee reviews, makes recommendations, and confirms the budget for final approval of the Rector.

Practically speaking… the finance administrator reviews the budget each month to ensure compliance. The Finance Committee reviews all parish bank and financial reports on a monthly basis.

In terms of expenditures, all invoices must be reviewed prior to payment. Major expenditures would be anticipated in the budget. Unexpected items that arise during the year – and they’re many! A/C breaks down, plumbing explodes… we had a car crash into the Cathedral last year! – these are subject to the Rector’s approval with reference to the finance administrator to determine feasibility. In some cases, per diocesan policies, the Rector will ask the Finance Committee for advice and to serve as a point of reference and consultation. Long and short… no ONE individual completely controls the finances of the parish.

Are there ways in which the Parish Priest is held accountable in his administration of the parish?

Certainly! The Rector, nor any other priest or clergy, does not physically handle any monies in terms of counting or depositing. He is informed regularly through the parish finance office of day-to-day operations and business. He signs all checks, although in his absence another priest, our pastoral associate, or the school principal will sign checks.

A Catholic diocese is a “corporation sole,” meaning that the gifts of the faithful are placed at the “feet of the Apostles,” or the Bishop, who becomes the steward of such funds. The Rector is the designee of the Bishop in the Cathedral parish (a territorial reality – see “Some Basic Catholic Ecclesiology” – to administer the spiritual and temporal goods of the Church. Consequently, the Rector, as the Bishop’s designee, becomes responsible for the life, both temporal (i.e. “in time,” or the physical goods and administration of the parish) and spiritual goods of the parish, and is consequently accountable directly to the Bishop.

Also, don’t forget… the Parish Finance Committee is canonically charged with advising and assisting the Rector in responsible administration of the temporal goods of the parish. The Rector attends monthly finance committee meetings and reviews the monthly financial reports with this board of the lay faithful.

Why is it important to use envelopes? What is “Direct Giving”?

Contributions to the parish are tax deductible. Using envelopes helps to ensure that your contributions are correctly posted and your end-of-the-year statement is a true reflection of your sacrificial giving.

Also… an envelope, as many individuals say, is something of a “sacramental”… it’s a visible manifestation of our generosity to the Lord Himself, and a way of keeping ourselves accountable before Him.

With almost 3500 registered families in Ss. Simon & Jude Parish, it’s difficult for our priests to know every member as was often the case in years past in small parish settings. Use of envelopes help us to know who is attending Mass – why would this be important?

There are instances when parishioners request a letter from the parish verifying them as practicing Catholics… in order to act as a sponsor for baptism or confirmation, to enroll kids in the parish school… even sometimes for immigration assistance. Use of envelopes at least helps us to know who attends Mass and practices their religion regularly when we can’t always “pick a name and a face” out of the crowd. Being a practicing Catholic would, of course, be necessary to make a public statement that “by word and example” an individual will strive to assist another in living the Catholic Faith… as what happens at baptism or confirmation.

There’s also the element of accuracy of parish records. It’s difficult, especially when society is very transient these days… most people don’t let the parish know if they’ve moved or are attending another parish. Usually, if the office doesn’t see any activity for an extended period of time, or if the envelopes are returned to us by the postal service, we conclude a household is no longer attending Ss. Simon & Jude. We ARE, however, responsible for the souls who live within our parish boundaries, so we do not delete those households unless we are notified directly by them to remove them from the parish register. Otherwise, we designate such households as inactive.

Some people find using envelopes a hassle... some travel a great deal and can’t always make it to Mass on weekends in our parish, but want to be of support… some care for elderly parents, or must work, or whatever, but nonetheless want to support the good works of the Church. Technology has provided an alternate format… our “Direct Giving” option. Sacrificial giving is automatically withdrawn from a designated bank account once a month. We just need a voided check along with a short form of authorization… [click here for more info on direct giving]

Top Six Reasons We Can Be Deeply Distrustful and Negative When it Comes to the Church Talking About Stewardship

While we can’t be OF the world (i.e. unduly attached to material goods), we must be IN the world (practice good stewardship). The Bible is exceptionally clear about good stewardship across the board… the Lord Jesus focused over a third of His parables on the wise use of material goods – two sources hard to argue with, but many of us just don’t get it.

The Lord Himself lodged often with wealthy friends (Lazarus, Martha and Mary, Jairus, etc.) and dispatched His apostles to “maintain the common purse.” Stewardship formed a necessary part of the foundations of the Church. Moreover, the Lord taught that the Church is, in reality, the extension of Himself – the Body of Christ.

  1. Sometimes people feel cut off from the Church and consequently resent that they would be asked to participate in stewardship. It’s sad but true… life can take unexpected turns, divorce and remarriage can often be a stumbling block for some – talk to a priest or deacon and look into rectifying the situation. Sometimes we sin, and we’re just too proud or too consumed with self-pity or hatred to seek pardon and healing, so we take it out on the Church. A priest or a religious was mean… maybe they had the audacity to tell us we were wrong. In the big picture, though, they might have done us a favor… talk with a priest for some perspective – our priests would love to meet with you… forgive and then move on.
  2. Some people say they “have no problem with God, but a problem with the Church.” What they really mean is a problem with PEOPLE in the Church. Sometimes people think that practicing Catholics are “hypocritical” – they “don’t practice what they preach.” That might be true of any one of us… sometimes we forget what Our Lord warned about making judgments. Sometimes people have been hurt by people IN the Church – from abuses of power by bishops and priests, by the poor example of some Catholics. But we forget that forgiveness – NOT resentment and hatred and a desire for vengeance – bring good from evil. Some can’t distinguish between the Church herself and individual people in the Church – many of us forget that the Church is a “school for sinners,” and NOT a “club for saints.” The Lord Jesus gave the Holy Spirit that the Church would be INFALLIBLE in what she taught and believed for our salvation… it wasn’t a guarantee that her members would be IMPECCABLE or free from sin. But MOST IMPORTANTLY… whatever anyone else may think or say or do can’t EVER be an excuse for what we ourselves know to be true and pleasing to God!
  3. People give things, money, art, property, etc., to the Church because they love God and they want others to know Him, too. The Church is the most enduring Body in the world that can make that happen. Some individuals can be deeply resentful because the Church appears to “have more” than they do… a sort of envy or jealousy that someone else seems to be “better off than me.” This is hardly God’s will! Some feel guilty that they don’t support the Church for whatever reason, and then get angry when they’re reminded of their negligence – whose fault is this? Sadly, we can sometimes just be plain ole greedy and don’t want to share. But the Lord Jesus instructed, “Give, and it will be given to you… even more than what you have shared.”
  4. Some people are simply “cultural or customary” Catholics… just how they were raised, but they don’t really believe in what the Church teaches us. They like a “little of this… a little of that,” “Mass is pretty on Christmas,” “it’s just a family custom that kids get baptized,” or whatever… but they don’t believe religion is something they should support in terms of stewardship. Something all of us can stand to be reminded of… it’s FAR better to be true to ourselves than anything else on earth. If we DON’T BELIEVE IT… we shouldn’t try to act as if we do! And, if we really DO believe what our religion teaches us… then stewardship is a no-brainer.
  5. Some folks can remember constant talks, homilies, reminders, announcements, castigations from the pulpit, whatever… all about money week-in and week-out! There REALLY is something unsavory about that, and understandably so! It CAN give the impression that’s all the Church is interest in, but that’s not the truth. Twice a year it’s mentioned from the pulpit and not at the expense of the homily. There are several second collections mandated by the Bishops of our nation to support specific causes, but again totally voluntary.
  6. AND… some people just LIKE to complain and be critical… makes ‘em feel important and powerful to tell Father a thing or two, or threaten to withhold their support as a way of showing their discontent or to punish. Once and for all… STEWARDSHIP is about a mature response to the Faith… not a way of manipulation.