Anonymous wrote:I'm a single mom who recently joined a Catholic church. The church sent me weekly donation envelopes and I am wondering if there is a minimum donation. I am pretty low income and some weeks, all I have to give is $5 or so. I know people say that every little bit counts but is that just talk? This week, I had $8 and I wondered as I put it in the envelope if it was "enough."

A regular Gospel in the Catholic church is the story of the widow and the two copper pieces from the Gospel of Luke.

The inclusion of this is not a coincidence. God knows your heart, and the sacrifice you are making to contribute. Look up that Gospel; it will give you your answer.

Anonymous wrote:
I had to laugh at the "time, talent and treasure" comment. Is there more than one pastor in the area that talks in these terms or are you also a parishioner at BS?

Not that poster but BS was our old parish and all they wanted was our treasure! It apparently is the catch-phrase at many parishes though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are a family of 4 and many weeks $5 is all I can do. They have never ever said a word and welcomed us into the parish school with open arms. Our pastor talks often about time, talent and treasure and how some give in one way while others in another. I do my best with time and talent and feel very happy in my parish.

I had to laugh at the "time, talent and treasure" comment. Is there more than one pastor in the area that talks in these terms or are you also a parishioner at BS?

This is a common phrase in many denominations of christian churches.

Anonymous wrote:We are a family of 4 and many weeks $5 is all I can do. They have never ever said a word and welcomed us into the parish school with open arms. Our pastor talks often about time, talent and treasure and how some give in one way while others in another. I do my best with time and talent and feel very happy in my parish.

I had to laugh at the "time, talent and treasure" comment. Is there more than one pastor in the area that talks in these terms or are you also a parishioner at BS?

Anonymous wrote: The church sent me weekly donation envelopes and I am wondering if there is a minimum donation. I am pretty low income and some weeks, all I have to give is $5 or so. I know people say that every little bit counts but is that just talk? This week, I had $8 and I wondered as I put it in the envelope if it was "enough."

the church wants 10 % of your pretax income
But remember the story of the old woman, who figured out that she would still get that place in Heaven regardless of how much or how little money she threw on the alter??

OP, my daily-mass-attending mother has always shared this wisdom from an old Irish priest: charity comes in many forms. Your charitable giving may be a bit of cash, it may be volunteering, it may be simply raising your children to know and love God. Whatever it is, it will be welcomed by your new church community. Remember the story of the widow's mite?

God bless your generous heart!

ˆnever use the envelopes because always misplace them. I just put some of my extra money in the basket when I can.

Thanks posters. I do plan on getting involved in my new church. I'm a teacher so I said I would help teach their English classes next year.

We are a family of 4 and many weeks $5 is all I can do. They have never ever said a word and welcomed us into the parish school with open arms. Our pastor talks often about time, talent and treasure and how some give in one way while others in another. I do my best with time and talent and feel very happy in my parish.

That's plenty. You are doing fine.

There are millions of Catholics in this country to keep the lights on. Give what you are comfortable with. They will be happy with your participation and appreciative of the effort you have made to give.

That is always, always, always enough. Exactly what the PP said, you will be welcomed at the potlucks and religious classes. Also look to help out if they have clothing donation drives, etc. Become part of the community, no one cares/knows what you give.

Also, I always save some singles to give to my kids to put in the basket on Sundays. The love that and then put your 5 or 1 or whatever in the envelope.

OP, you should not feel bad if you aren't able to give much right now. Give what you can afford. If that's $5, then that's fine. If you can't give at all some weeks, that's fine too. There are other ways you can give, too-- by donating your time to church events, etc. That's what a community is all about-- taking care of each other, not a bottom line dollar amount! I hope you like your new church and find a great "home" there.

I meant the subject to be "Question for Catholics about donations."

I'm a single mom who recently joined a Catholic church. The church sent me weekly donation envelopes and I am wondering if there is a minimum donation. I am pretty low income and some weeks, all I have to give is $5 or so. I know people say that every little bit counts but is that just talk? This week, I had $8 and I wondered as I put it in the envelope if it was "enough."