November 20, 2005

In welcoming the ever increasing number of men and women coming into the parish, it is important to explain how each parish is part of the Church Universal. As but one example, the Cardinal’s Appeal provides help for our schools and instruction in the Faith through marriage preparation and catechism courses, and support for needy parishes and missions. Millions of meals are provided for the poor along with mother and child care, pro-life witness, assistance to the disabled, and care for retired priests and religious.

We should be legitimately proud that in just the last five years our parish’s contribution to such work has increased from $28,000 to nearly $78,000. Never before in our fifty years as a parish has our charitable outreach been on this scale. This remarkable growth has been accom­panied by paying off the parish mortgage and many other debts accrued over the years. Through special gifts and sacrificial efforts, our church has been enhanced by a new organ and many new works of art to the glory of God. Judas Iscariot was the only apostle who begrudged the “waste” of precious ointment on the Lord, using the specious argument that it deprived the poor. Our Lord’s admonition applies to all ages: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well” (Matt. 6:31-33). Only barbarians consider art and beauty to be wasteful.

The more we spend sacrificially to the glory of God in the primary obligation to offer him worthy praise, the more will we have to spend on charitable works. But if we are meager toward God, we will be reduced to meager acts of “helping out” and “fundraising” which can be picturesque exercises in self-gratification.

There is no substitute for sacrificial tithing. Old par­ish­ioners should re-examine their habit of giving and new parishioners should start with good habits of stew­ardship. Sometimes people just have not had this ex­plained. A full tithe to our Lord is ten percent of one’s annual income. In a system of civil taxes which subsidize various social needs, some people practice an adjusted tithe which comes to five percent of annual income after taxes. In either case, compare these figures with what you give.

As we approach Thanksgiving Day, is it well to show true thanks by true giving. Our Lord spoke more about Heaven and money than anything else, and this is because Heaven is our true home, and where our treasure is, there are our hearts also.

Fr. George W. Rutler