An Appeal to Help Your Parish

A church is a place where individuals can turn when times are dark and distressing. In the uncertain situation the world is facing surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, however, it’s now the churches that need assistance. Many of our parishes are being hit with financial difficulty as online-only services have led to a steep decline in donations. There’s never been a more important time to support local parishes, and the following are three types of donations the institutions really need.

Money

The donations of parishioners are vitally important in maintaining day-to-day operations of a parish. Donations often come in the form of tithing, a biblical concept that calls for members to give a percentage of their income to the Church. Today, the generally accepted tithing model for Catholics is to give 5% of your income to your parish and diocese and 5% to other charitable causes. Monetary donations are used to cover pastors’ salaries; pay utilities, cover mortgages and other bills; fund security and maintenance requirements and meet the needs of the community.

Equipment

Some of the most important donations parishes receive are not monetary gifts, but rather material goods. Many religious organizations have an ongoing need for computers, software, and office supplies. In this time of quarantine, many parishes are purchasing computers and audio-visual equipment to stream Mass online. At other times, this kind of equipment is important for study groups and other gatherings. Church libraries are eager to accept books, bibles and reference materials, and youth group programs benefit from the donations of sporting goods and art supplies.

Time

Some donations you can’t put a price on. That is often the case when an individual volunteers his or her time at a church. Those who are comfortable around children may work in the nursery, with youth groups, or teach Sunday school classes. A tech-savvy congregant might make use of his or her talents to assist with the parish website or e-mail communications. Some of the greatest service comes from just helping elderly members find a seat at Mass.

Churches provide many benefits to a community, but they require donations to meet those needs. You can make a difference by making a donation today.