What happens to the offering you make for a Mass?
This entry was posted on 3/11/2007 12:15 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
At finance council last Thursday, every member was surprised to learn that I do not keep any monies given as a gift for offering a Mass for the living or deceased. When the Mass has been offered ("satisfied," in technical jargon) the money (called a "stipend" in technical Catholic-speak) goes to the parish's general fund.
Maybe you didn't know this, too: all stipends are optional, at the discretion of the individual requesting Mass. I've instructed the parish office manager to remind people of this. If asked, the diocese requires us to say that the amount most frequently given is five dollars--and has been since the early sixties!
Gifts for any other sacrament are funeral are called "stole fees." Fees is a little misleading, because there is nothing required in our diocese for conferring sacraments. Some churches have made charges for use of the church, air conditioning, clean-up, etc. I personally believe these are stole fees in disguise and will never put a price on anything associated with a sacrament or blessing. IF ONE CHOOSES to make an offering, the money goes to the church and not to the priest. Many years ago our diocese gave priest a choice: stipends and stole fees OR a salary. Since most people have made the same offerings they made forty or fifty years ago, it behooves a priest to opt for a salary. My grandfather offered fifty dollars for his wedding in 1922. One of the last weddings I had, the church was given fifty dollars.
Did you think these monies went to the priest? Did you INTEND for the money to go to the priest? If so, please specify that you are giving a personal gift for the use of the priest; otherwise I won't and don't keep it.
By the way, the funeral homes here in town charge a fee in your funeral bill that is then given to the church (generally $100) and to the organist, soloist, and servers (usaully $10 or $15). I consider the $100 a stole fee and have asked that the checks be made out to the parish. If you INTEND to give anything to the priest, you must clearly specify that.
This information is not my back-handed appeal for more money. I just thought you might want to know.
