“And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.” (Mark 12:43)
Distribute these statements to the parish council or fundraising team and budget a certain amount of time for discussion. The purpose of the exercise is to create a more open atmosphere concerning giving in the parish. There is all too often a conspiracy of silence around this subject. Remember that in the Kingdom of God, there are no secrets, though in a fallen world there is a need for confidentiality, for charity’s sake.
Describe your emotional response to the scenarios below:
1. When I hear the word “sacrifice” I feel… 2. When my priest gives a sermon on giving I feel… 3. Concerning my financial situation, as I place my head upon the pillow to go to sleep at night I often feel… 4. When I think about asking a friend for a large charitable gift I feel… 5. When I hear the word “stewardship” I feel… 6. Concerning my retirement I feel… 7. Considering the present state of the economy I feel… 8. Making a truly sacrificial gift commitment feels like… 9. Thinking about general giving practices in our parish I feel… 10. The sacrificial death of Christ upon the cross makes me feel …