"It was not a directive from the Church hierarchy - not an exhortation to give more. These people were husbands and fathers, just like me, and they were juggling budgets and problems. And there they were, telling us how good it felt to acknowledge one's dependence on God!"

A parishioner, Most Blessed Sacrament, Franklin Lakes, NJ
[Editor's note: Witnesses were all male in the program's early days. Today, about a third are women.]

"My seventeen-year old daughter came home from Mass on Sunday morning and announced to the family that she was going to tithe. A high school senior with a part-time job, she's willing to make a sacrificial offering!"

A parent, Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, NJ

"Hooray for tithing! Now we can give up the three B's - Bingo, bazaars, and boosters."

A parishioner, Assumption, Morristown, NJ

"How can anyone put into words what God does for one? The peace...in times of stress is an example. The month's money of one who has a fixed income and yet it seems to go further. God is so subtle. I don't hear bells, fireworks or drums; still my prayers are answered. Don't try to outdo God! He will not allow it. He comes back with more help than before."

"I tithe out of a deep-down conviction that it's the correct, Scriptural thing to do. I give without expecting anything in return. But it's amazing what God can do when you take Him as your partner. I'm a lot happier than way back when I used to give grudgingly, tight- fistedly, or sometimes not at all."

A parishioner, St. Augustine, Ossining, NY

"I was amazed to see the success of St. Anne's tithing program. It is heartening to see St. Anne's blossom into new life..."

A local pastor (sent to Rev. J. Gallagher, OFM, Cap., St. Anne's, Manchester, NH)

"The parish gives to me, my husband and children, and my community. The parish offers me a community of worship and prayer, and financially I want to help it continue to operate. Also, my parish gives to the sick, poor and others, and I want to be a part of that."

A parishioner, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, Brookfield, CT

"The talks on tithing did cause me to re-evaluate my contributions to my parish. It is difficult, but I am certain that what we give to God we receive back from Him in blessings."

A parishioner, Immaculate Conception, Tuckahoe, NY

"I think we took a giant step forward when we decided to tithe. Let us earnestly continue."

A parishioner, St. Peter Claver, St. Inigoes, MD