[SuziQ]

Exactly. My husband always jokes about the numbers of late model cars in the parking lot, compared to the weekly collection totals. My b-i-l, who is Pastor of a Parish on the MS Gulf Coast has a weekly collection almost equal to ours, with 1000 fewer families. But he DOES give sermons on sacrificial giving and tithing, and it touches the folks who actually take their faith seriously.

Northeastern Catholics have what I've heard called the 'deep pockets-short arms' attitude when it comes to giving to their Parishes. They still have the notion that they are 'immigrants' who don't have the money to support the Church. But their parents and grandparents DID give money to help build the large churches standing empty in the inner cities, while helping their children get the education they never had. Their children moved up and out into the suburbs, started raising their own kids, and complain about supporting the churches in those comfortable suburbs.

[Not gonna take it anymore]

Exactly. Since I became Catholic my giving has increased many times over.

To my parish, to EWTN, to Food for the Poor (I bought a goat, what a kick that was, lol) to St. Vincent dePaul Society and to Peter’s Pence and the food bank with groceries.

Please understand that I am not saying I give like the widow in the Bible who gave her very last mite. I’m just saying that is is truly wonderful that God has given me so very much and it is wonderful to give back. It really is better to give than to receive.

It is amazing how much money we actually have to give to others.

And not just money. I have the honor to bring communion to the sick and elderly. How awesome is that? What a blessing Sunday has become, not only for the Mass but for the communion which brings such joy to shut-ins, sick, and nursing home residents.

Thank you, God, for making me Catholic.