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Mckenna Stewardship Newsletter
November 2008

# 45 -NOVEMBER 2008

(Editor’s Note: Sometimes pastors ask us what the witnesses say in their appearances. And we assure them that they do not “preach;” they simply tell how they first heard about the practice, how they reacted to it initially, and what it has meant to them in their lives. And now we have decided to give you one of the talks so that you can see for yourself. )

ONE WITNESS’S TALK

Every year, thousands of tourists visit the site of the Rome headquarters of the Knights of Malta. In a wall that surrounds the building is a gate containing a hole about two inches in diameter. People go there and, peering through that tiny hole, they see the beauty of the Vatican, perfectly balanced and complete. I’ve never been there, but I’ve read about it and seen pictures of it several times. For some reason, it makes me think of tithing.

I never really had a problem with the idea of tithing. It always seemed very logical to me. My reasoning wasn’t complicated: everything I have comes from God, so what’s the big deal about giving back to Him 10%?. He gave it to me, and He could take it all tomorrow if He chose to.

Well, He did. He took it all.

It’s strange, but even as I say that I know that it wasn’t “all.” But we did lose a business and everything that went with it, and – most difficult for me – we lost our home. It was a time of stress and tension and anxiety, but we also learned a lot.

I kept remembering the words from a poem that I love in which God says “All that I took from thee I did but take, not for thy harms, but just that thou might seek it in my arms.”

And I guess most of us turn to Him with a little more eagerness when we’re frightened, and that’s what we did. We really looked at what we had left and it was precious; and many new blessings came to us: unexpected goodness and unselfishness, love and friendship. And it was still all from Him. Although now we were tithing from a much smaller income, it had never seemed more logical.

We found we had better perspective and our priorities were more in order. We weren’t giving Him anything when we tithed part of our income to Him; it wasn’t ours to begin with. We could only give Him ourselves; the people we are inside.

I’m not suggesting that tithing is the answer to all of life’s problems. It is, after all, just a little thing. But perhaps it’s a bit like that place in Rome; maybe tithing helps us to look through a small opening and see life as a whole – perfectly balanced and complete . . . with Our Lord at the center.
 

(Please feel free to use these comments in your bulletins. . . )

“The speakers at the two weekend Masses were interesting and inspiring. It set me to thinking that maybe my relationship with God was not as close as I thought. Listening to those people it came to mind that through tithing I can make that relationship closer.”

A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. Edward J. Arnister,
Divine Mercy Parish, Trenton, NJ

“As I think about elections, I see how much more I need God and want to give Him more of myself.”

A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. Robert E. Lawrence
Holy Name of Jesus, Harrisburg, PA

“I have been tithing faithfully for the last 10 years and it is the best decision I ever made. There is an inner conviction and peace that says you are doing the right thing, and there are other benefits as well. Right now, I could not afford to stop tithing! God is good and God is faithful – take the leap!”

A parishioner
Rev. John P. Alvarado
Sacred Heart, South, Plainfield, NJ

 

“It is funny how income is rather relative. Compared to some I am rich. Compared to others I am poor. My gift counts especially because I give it thoughtfully and from the heart.”

A parishioner
Rev. Msgr. William M. Richardson
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Lewisburg, PA

 

“We believe that tithing’s time has come and will be part of a spiritual renewal for our parish. Our family has begun to tithe and in two months we have seen God’s blessings on us. We hope that all our parishioners will also begin to give back to God what He deserves.”

A parishioner
Rev. Louis C. Bier
St. Augustine, Bridgeport, PA

 

“For the past month or so, I have been praying to St. Jude, who has helped me, and to God, to let me know His will. . . So here I am joining the parish and the first thing I see is tithing. I wonder if this is God’s will. The thing I most want my son to learn (and he’s not there yet) is the joy of loving and giving. God’s greatest gift to us is each other. We certainly are our brother’s keeper, and I guess I haven’t been immune to the argument that the church could be doing more for the poor and the sick with its money. At any rate, I have been lacking in my personal relationship with God. I think trying to live like Jesus is not enough (although I’m sorely lacking in my efforts there, too.) I guess the faith is the thing, and I if tithing will help me with that, I’d better try it.”

A parishioner
Fr. James F. Podlesny, OSB
Holy Spirit, Palmyra, PA

 

“Regarding tithing, nothing better has happened at St. Elizabeth’s in years. Thank you for following what the Spirit is saying. We must continue to teach the spirituality of tithing so that the joy of giving can be experienced.”

A parishioner
Fr. Daniel S. Kearney
Church of St. Elizabeth, Washington Hghts., NY

 

It’s scary to think we can afford it - 3 kids, a house payment, cost of living, etc. But if I believe everything else the Bible tells me, why shouldn’t I believe God when He tells me to tithe? We are willing to take the leap of faith; every week I pray we survive.”

A parishioner
Rev. Joseph Davis
St. Therese, Succasunna/Roxbury, NJ

 

“I have been tithing ever since I joined St. Augustine’s. Although I am on a fixed income, my donation always comes first and God provides for all the rest.”

A parishioner
Rev. Stephen Bzdyra,
St. Augustine, Seymour, CT

 

“My wife and I considered three steps in our tithing leap. I would propose them to all of our St. Joseph family. 1. Count your blessings with someone you love, 2. Sit quietly and ask God to help you make this a prayerful decision. 3. Enjoy the feeling of knowing that you area making a difference when you see the joy, service and growth of our parish!”

A parishioner
Rev. Michael A. Saporito, V.F.
St. Joseph , Maplewood, NJ

 

“I was surprised that I actually enjoyed the two speakers who related their experiences with tithing. After that I came to the conclusion that it was an excellent idea.”

A parishioner
Rev. Frank J. Brauer
St. Francis Xavier, Hunt Valley, MD

 

“My husband and I don’t agree on this. I will continue to give at Church. I will continue to help others. I will continue to make food/money donations as I have in the past. I will pray to better understand why he feels so different and hope he’ll change his mind. God bless all of you and thank you for all you do.”

A parishioner
Rev. James G. Fanelli
St. Christopher, East Hartford, CT

 

“Generosity is a strong sign of God’s presence within us. Tithing is a bright light of generosity and trust in God. The world around us needs to see this generosity and trust in all of us. We really reflect Christ in our world. Thank you for your sacrifice of tithing!”

Rev. Msgr. Herbert K. Tillyer
St. Peter the Apostle, Parsippany, NJ

“Unless we are extremely fortunate, many of us own our homes and cars on credit. We really don’t own them outright, but instead we have the loan until they are paid for. In a similar sense, whatever goods of this world we have are on loan from God. We are stewards of the time, talent and treasure loaned to us and we do eventually have to render an accounting. We should try to practice consistent and meaningful stewardship of what God has given us, sharing with others to improve their time on earth. This is a common thread with which religion and charity are joined. Here at St. Francis we have many parishioners who donate unselfishly so that God’s work may continue. . . I thank them for their generosity.”

Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Alliegro
Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Metuchen, NJ

“A gift is something that we do not have to give! No law requires us to give gifts on birthdays and Mother’s Day. Similarly, our gifts to God are prompted by the spirit of generosity. We give because we want to give. We give because we love. Tithing is giving a gift . . . for every gift we have ever received.”

Father Leo Goodman
Historic St. Mary’s, Lancaster, PA

 

“Tithing is a concrete expression of all the theological fruits rolled up into one: an act of FAITH, a sign of HOPE, a response to LOVE.”

Rev. Msgr. Laurence R. Bronkiewicz
Saint Mary, Ridgefield, CT

 

“This is my last Sunday as Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish and, in all honesty, I’m really going to miss all of you. Wednesday I turn over the keys to your new pastor and I cease being pastor of this parish, but instead will become a member of this parish. I’ll be a pa ishioner. It will definitely be a new experience for me; (it’s been about seventy years since I was a parishioner of the Assumption Parish in Morristown.) I will become one of you and I will, like you, be a tithing member. Thank you for letting me join your ranks.”

Rev. Msgr. James H. Murray
St. Mary’s R. C. Church, Denville, NJ

 

“I will not bombard you with comments about bills and needing to make ends meet. It’s not my job to beg you for money for lights, heat, water, insurance, etc . . . It is my responsibility to remind you of God’s invitation to tithe. Are you giving back to God in gratitude for God’s goodness to you?”

Rev. Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.
Visitation B.V.M., Philadelphia, PA

 

“The first week of our new program has been extraordinary. As wonderful as the above amount is, actually the week last year that it was up against was unusually high itself. So I can only thank you for such a great response this past week. Quite a few people have stopped me to say a word. I will not attempt to answer them all this week. Truly, it is the spirit of tithing which has caught people’s attention. Some have asked very helpful questions. One person asked if our parish is in serious financial trouble. The answer is, thank God, no. But for a long time the Finance Council felt that this was a time we must seek to put the parish on a strong long-range footing – but doing this in the context of a spiritual sense of trust, faith and thanksgiving. Be at peace with where you are. Do what you can do. Do not feel guilty if, at this time, you are unable to fully tithe. Everyone’s gift is precious to the Lord. Give in that spirit and we will always be successful. Thank you.”

Rev. Msgr. Francis X. Meehan
SS. Simon & Jude, West Chester, PA
 

(As we have all learned, Stewardship is not only about how much money we give; it also has to do with the time and talents we share with our Parish Family.”)

“Raked leaves” 6th Grader
“Helped Mom” 5th Grader
“Prayed” 6th Grader
“Helped my sick Great Grandmother” 3rd Grader

Rev. Joseph J. Nicolo
St. Helena, Blue Bell, PA

“This week my special prayers are for my Grandma.”
“I helped my Mom pick raspberries.”
“This week my prayers are for my cat & I helped pick up my clothes.”
“. . . I made my Mom and Dad’s bed.”

Father Francis Menei
St. Richard, Manheim, PA

“I invited my friend to enjoy time with my family.”
“I made cookies for the nursing home.”
“I helped with the dishes.”
“I helped my friend at school understand math.”
“I gave my brothers a card with money in it.”

Father Leo Goodman
Historic St. Mary’s, Lancaster, PA

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