PARISH TITHING PROGRAM

TITHING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Tithing is mentioned more than forty times in the Bible. Numerous Old Testament stories recount how God asked that the first ten percent of the land's produce be set aside as a sign of gratitude for His goodness. The early Church had no tithing system, but as it grew, so did its material needs. Gradually, the Old Testament model of tithing was adopted. A number of Regional Church Councils and finally the Councill of Trent made the tithe Church law.

AND TODAY...

In our time, the difficulty of raising funds for the growing needs of the Church, and dissatisfaction with some methods of Church support, have led to a modified and voluntary system of tithing, and since 1977, more than 400 Catholic Churches in the Northeast have become tithing Parishes.

WHAT IS TITHE?

A tithe is the first tenth of a wage earners income. It's giving back to God something he gave in the first place. Tithing is not any tenth; it's the first tenth of one's income- salary, dividends, interest- income from any source.

HOW DOES TITHING WORK?

Five percent of one's income is gven to God through the Parish Church.The other 5% can be used for Catholic School tuition, care of one's parents, special collections and Diocesan assessments or private charities. The spirit of tithing, the most important part of the program means giving to God. And it means giving to a point of sacrifice, for the word sacrifice means "to make holy". The spirit of tithing means not caring what anyone else gives; it's spiritual giving in every sense. What you give to God is between you and God. The ideal tithe of 5% to God's Church and 5% to other works can best be explained by an example:

If your income from all sources before taxes is $300 per week, the 5% Sunday Mass offering would be $15. The other five 5% might go to Parish School tuition, charity, and Diocesan extra collections. Tithing is really very logical. Everything we have comes from God, and when we give back to Him the first tenth of our earnings, we're saying to Him, "Thank you, Lord, for all you have given me."

THE BENEFITS TO THE PARISH AND THE TITHER:

Every Parish that have adopted this method has improved its spiritual and material status. It means one collection at the offertory of the Mass with the true spirit of offering oneself with the offering of Christ. And for the idividual, tithing tells us exactly what we can give.

Most important for the tither, however, is the spiritual effect. Tithing helps to establish a proper sense of values. It helps us to remember that God comes before everything else and that everything we have comes from God.

WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?

Nothing. No one will call on you, you will not be asked to sign anything. Just come every Sunday for Mass and listen to God's plan. In the meantime, seekGod's will in this by earnest prayer. And when you pray, please remember that the true purpose of tithing is to ensure not the tithe, but the tither; not the gift, but the giver; not your money, but you for God.