Good Morning. I'm Joe Bahm, and I would like to take just a few minutes of your time this morning to speak to you about what my wife Monica & I consider a very important subject: the financial support of our parish through sacrificial giving.
We have been members of this parish for 17 years. The first friends
we made in Piscataway were through our Lady of Fatima. Our daughters
received Penance, First Communion & Confirmation here. We
received support from our parish when our fathers died 5 years
ago . You celebrated with us when we celebrated our 25th
wedding anniversary. Our parish has always been there for us in
good times and bad. It is our extended family. Our recent growth
in RENEW has been a gift from our Church. When we look at it,
our Church is at the core of our and our daughters' lives. We
are thankful to God that it is here for us.
We realize that it takes a lot of money to run this parish. Light bills, salaries & the various programs offered all take money. We also realize that we are responsible for the support of this parish. It is a very small way that we can repay. God has been very good to us in many ways. This is one way we can say thanks.
I remember that each week my parents gave me money that I put in my envelope for Church. It wasn't much, but I felt I was doing my part. When we were first married we maintained this value of giving to the Church each week, but usually what was put in the envelope was what we happened to have available on Sunday morning as we rushed out to Mass.
I remember good friends telling us one evening about a talk they heard about sacrificial giving, giving 10% of their income to the Church. They seemed so excited about it. I thought they were crazy. There was no way we could do that and survive. So we forgot about sacrificial giving until a couple of years ago when Fr. Stab had some couples from another parish come here to speak about it. After Mass that day we talked about giving our fair share. I was enthusiastic to make a commitment to give a much larger set amount-. each week. Monica was really nervous about it. She knew our budget was tight, and with the girls both going to college, she thought we were biting off more than we could chew. After prayerful consideration & discussion we decided that this was the right thing for us.
Well , our decision to give more was right, but sometimes we struggle and somehow we made it this far. The Lord has never let us down and when we receive a raise, we increase our offering. Last year when Fr. Stab asked again for all of us to increase our donation due to increased costs, we did so again. Yes, sometimes money is tight. There are many things we could do with that money, but we feel satisfied that we are doing our small part to help our parish family continue.
Each week now, no matter what bills, no matter what is happening, before anything else, we put a set amount in our envelope. Before we go on vacation, we put the money in the envelope and when we return home we give it so our weekly commitment is un-interrupted.
But, this is not just about money. It is just one of the resources we have to offer. Our parish needs the gift of our time and our talent also. We are very busy, but we can give some time to help in various areas. Please ask where assistance is needed and volunteer. God blessed us all with talents and gifts. We have chosen to share our blessing of a good marriage by working with the Pre-Cana Program. In the past, for many years, we taught C.C.D. Perhaps you enjoy working with young people, the elderly, the sick. This then is your gift.
Perhaps God has blessed you with a beautiful voice, playing a musical instrument. There are many opportunities to work in various ministries. There is always a place for you in our parish, whatever your talent may be. Our Church needs the richness of time, talent and money from all of us. Not to share diminishes the fullness of our Parish family. It's not easy standing up here before you. I find it really tough to speak in front of a group, but we really believe that this is important. We hope & pray you give from your substance, not just from your excess.
The difference between giving from your excess and your substance is best explained by a small story about a chicken and a pig who wanted to do something special for the farmer. The pig was none to happy when the chicken came up with the idea of making him breakfast. Eggs and bacon, the chicken giving from her excess but the pig had to give from his substance.
Think how you would feel if FATIMA were not here and we couldn't worship each day or each week. In some countries, people must travel many miles to celebrate the Eucharist. They do so very seldom because its such a hardship. How lucky we are. Please help us support our parish family.
Thank You!!!!"