Tithe Sunday

Last October we tithed our Sunday collection to St.Elizabeth Catholic Charities in recognition of it being Pro-life month.
As I noted then, St. Elizabeth’s is a great outreach to the wider community and has helped people right here at St. Anthony. 
On the weekend of April 22nd and 23rd we will again tithe our weekend collection, this time to our own St. Vincent de Paul Society, which helps people in our area with basic necessities. 
 
Let me be clear. When I say we tithed, I mean we took ten percent of the total Sunday collection and gave it away. Because we have a history of stewardship, people responded to this appeal and gave generously. Our collection did not suffer one bit from having ten percent deducted and sent to those in need. In fact the 90% left to us amounted to a larger than average collection. That was fun, let’s do it again! 
 
We should model this biblical stewardship again. Please increase your donation next week by ten percent, or more! You will be blessed for your generosity, as will the poor you help; and you will make our church community a blessing to those most in need.
 
I am a strong believer in the power of tithing. I do it, and I have seen it work time and again. Give to God and others and you will be blessed. As we continue to promote stewardship here in the parish, we as a parish should also model that stewardship. Churches, in general, have too many fund raisers. You will not find a single fundraiser mentioned in the Bible! St. Paul speaks of collections to support the work of the church and the less fortunate. There is no gambling, baking, selling or raffles. There is only giving to God and others with generous hearts some of what we have been given.
 
It will be a good witness to our faith if we do this twice a year, every year. In October we can witness to our pro-life values by funding St. Elizabeth’s and in the spring demonstrate our concern for our poor neighbors by supporting our parish St. Vincent de Paul Society. 
 
Thank you for your generosity.
— Fr. Joe