Catholics...a question about donations

NewYear2004

We are thinking of joining a parish. We enrolled our daughter in Catholic school and love it. We are both lapsed Catholics, but want to get re-involved.

We were wondering what is the normal weekly offering. When I was a kid, I remember $10 going in an envelope. When we go now, we give whatever is in our wallet/purse that day.

What is the norm nowadays?

JAM2000

honestly, its a personal decision. Lots of parishes tithe and base donations on an income ratio. Personally, we give $50 a week, and more on Easter and Christmas. But again, its all personal. PS- if you join the parish your kids go to school at make sure you get the parishioner discount on tuition.

LaVitaBella

It's "supposed" to be 10% of your annual income. However, my husband who gets to see the data says that maybe 1% of families do this anymore. I can tell you that in our parish, while they want weekly tithers because it helps pay the bills, it's up to you and what you can afford. The envelope is important because you get to claim your annual donations on your taxes and those will allow the parish to give you that tax letter. It also helps them know how many people are going to church.

debfife

LaVitaBella:

It's "supposed" to be 10% of your annual income. However, my husband who gets to see the data says that maybe 1% of families do this anymore. .

The 10% of your income thing does not have to be monetary. It can also be time volunteered and things like that.  

Reilly626

Whatever you are comfortable with!

LaVitaBella

debfife:

LaVitaBella:

It's "supposed" to be 10% of your annual income. However, my husband who gets to see the data says that maybe 1% of families do this anymore. .

The 10% of your income thing does not have to be monetary. It can also be time volunteered and things like that.  

oh yeah and I wanted to clarify bc I didn't want to seem all "well you SHOULD..." Most people I know give between $25-$50 a week, if that's a better estimation for ya. I honestly couldn't imagine what giving 10% of our money would do to how we survived financially.

kellyann1972

We give $30/week. Its no where near 10% of our income though, I teach CCD, we volunteer and honestly have other charitable things to do as well. In our Catholic school if you give $600 a year you get a tuition discount I think 5%. And I think the Catholic Church has enough money to mismanage without adding our money to the pot. I am Catholic but come on. If they are hurting so badly as they claim sell some lands or jewels ... JMHO :-)

NewYear2004

Thank you! This was extremely helpful. We would get a $200 break on tuition for belonging to the parish. Our school tuition is exceptionally reasonable though so we can't complain.

 

Shoegal23

We do at least $30 per week. Usually $100 or more on holidays. Our kids go to school there. We are contractually obligated to $30 a week for the parishioners rate at the school. That's what we normally gave at our last parish anyway. I think it's a personal decision though. I've never been told how much to give until we enrolled in this last school.

hookersbabe

it is a very personal decision. 

that said, you should also check your school's tuition structure. many catholic schools offer a discounted tuition rate for parish members that contribute a certain amount....