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CaidensMommy
My 3 Miracles!
Member since 5/05 5777 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Another stupid question, please bare with me. We've been registered at our church since Connor was baptized which was in 2006. We haven't been able to afford to "give" any money since our financial troubles, or volunteer at any time since we work so much and haven't been able to. Since I was thinking about signing up Connor for Kindergarten there next year, I looked at the application and they want to know what money you've given them, the amount of time and what you did to volunteer, etc. Since we haven't been able to do that, what should I do? Would they understand we can't afford to give money since we weren't able to afford our own bills? Is there a set amount they want you to give or can we just give the bare minimum and they're happy with that? Do you think they would understand why we don't have the time to volunteer? I feel horrible because we haven't been able to, but we just haven't been in the position to do anything these past few years. I'd like to do something now, but it won't be much. In order for us to qualify for the discounted tuition rate you have to be "Registered Stewardship" and these are the things that it includes.  Do you think it's a lost cause for us or will they understand we can't do much? I really feel bad about it. Thanks!
Message edited 6/11/2010 2:44:33 PM.
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Posted 6/11/10 2:44 PM  |
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bpmom
Feeling Blessed
Member since 6/07 2963 total posts
Name:
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
as a non-Catholic who has agreed to raise my DCs Catholic, I'm apalled by this!! I had no idea this would be on the application!!
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| Posted 6/11/10 2:58 PM |
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Jonsgirl04
Love my two girls! xoxo
Member since 9/08 6079 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Posted by bdmom
as a non-Catholic who has agreed to raise my DCs Catholic, I'm apalled by this!! I had no idea this would be on the application!!
ITA!! I dont feel that it is necessary to ask what money has been donated...I never send my church personnel money. I usally throw in some change or a few dollars here and there at mass but thats it. Its so sad that they put that on the application.
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:05 PM |
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CaidensMommy
My 3 Miracles!
Member since 5/05 5777 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Yes. It's actually a separate form, but part of the application. I agree. Like I said, it's making those parents who can't afford money or time feel horrible!
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:05 PM |
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Celt
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Member since 4/08 7758 total posts
Name:
colette
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
It is absolutely an expectation that to receive discounted tuition the family support the parish with weekly donations; if they are not parish members but their children attend the school that's reflected in the higher tuition rate. Not sure about your parish but ours have always sent us the church envelopes which we use for our weekly donation. With that said, I don't think there would be any harm at all in talking to the administration; lots of families are having financial difficulties/unemployment right now, I'm sure they'll work with you to structure a plan that works for you.
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:05 PM |
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CaidensMommy
My 3 Miracles!
Member since 5/05 5777 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Forgot to say that they send us "envelopes" in the mail to use monthly for donations, plus a basket goes around during church. Makes me feel so poor!
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:06 PM |
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CaidensMommy
My 3 Miracles!
Member since 5/05 5777 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Posted by colette
It is absolutely an expectation that to receive discounted tuition the family support the parish with weekly donations; if they are not parish members but their children attend the school that's reflected in the higher tuition rate. Not sure about your parish but ours have always sent us the church envelopes which we use for our weekly donation. With that said, I don't think there would be any harm at all in talking to the administration; lots of families are having financial difficulties/unemployment right now, I'm sure they'll work with you to structure a plan that works for you.
Do you think if I start "donating" that the amount we give would matter? Like I said we can't do much at all, but I'd rather do something than nothing.
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:07 PM |
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Jonsgirl04
Love my two girls! xoxo
Member since 9/08 6079 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
We also are poor..DH was unemployed for almost 2 years. Thats why we were always throwing in our loose change or a few dollars. I would speak to your parish and explain..Tell them u throw money in the basket but havent been able to afford bigger donations because of financial troubles. I would hope they would understand.
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:11 PM |
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MrsDrMatt
Live and RUN like a Ninja!
Member since 5/06 3104 total posts
Name:
MrsDrMatt
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Yes the Catholic church does ask for donations. This can be in the form of money OR time.
So, what is wrong with asking people who are given a break on tuition to volunteer to sit at bake sales, chaperone dances, etc?
As someone who is active in the Catholic church , i think you are reading waaaaaayyyy too much into the asking for financial contributions.
As for being mailed envelopes to your home for weekly donations, I would rather have the church know the money came from MY FAMILY rather than be from an anonomous donor. Also, when baksets are passed around, no one things twice about people who do not contribute. In fact, my family just went to parish-pay meaning, a monthly amount is withdrawhn from my bank account and given to my church (by choice). So, I don't think twice of moving the basket right along without putting an additional amount in it every week.
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:14 PM |
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ddunne2
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 4189 total posts
Name:
Doreen
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Hopefully they will understand if you speak with them and find out exactly what their expecations are considering your financial limitations.
While researching possibly sending my son to a Catholic school for kindergarten the same things were asked on the application as well as a space for you to commit to volunteering for x amount of hours per month or the option of a $600 "volunteering buyout."
Gotta love the Catholic church and their obsession with donations and money.
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:17 PM |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Posted by bdmom
I'm apalled by this!! I had no idea this would be on the application!!
me too, I think that is terrible....as others have said, the catholic church should be welcoming people with open arms.,....
eta - I did not realilze you were hoping to get a reduced tuition
if THAT is the case, I think the people who do donate to the church should qualify for that reduced tuition, makes some sense to me
Message edited 6/11/2010 3:20:54 PM.
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:19 PM |
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Celt
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Member since 4/08 7758 total posts
Name:
colette
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Posted by CaidensMommy
Posted by colette
It is absolutely an expectation that to receive discounted tuition the family support the parish with weekly donations; if they are not parish members but their children attend the school that's reflected in the higher tuition rate. Not sure about your parish but ours have always sent us the church envelopes which we use for our weekly donation. With that said, I don't think there would be any harm at all in talking to the administration; lots of families are having financial difficulties/unemployment right now, I'm sure they'll work with you to structure a plan that works for you.
Do you think if I start "donating" that the amount we give would matter? Like I said we can't do much at all, but I'd rather do something than nothing.
I think some parishes can afford to be more lenient than others, so the administration will definitely guide you in the donation amount. Everyone's hurting right now, so you're in good company; the churches and schools are hurting too, so unfortunately they really do need to rely on weekly donations for all that they provide within the parish and the school. But if you want a Catholic education for your children this will come up a lot while they're in school. I know you're pg with #3 right now, so clearly money and time will be tight for a while, but I don't see them slamming the door on you or anything 
I would expect that they do have a minimum donation expectation (to be considered "active" in the parish and receive the tuition discount) - think about it, if *everyone* foregoes the donation then you would have a few families shouldering the burden for the greater # and that simply isn't fair. They provide a LOT in terms of education and activities on a truly shoestring budget; so you can only do the best that you can do, kwim? If you really canNOT make the donations the option would be to pay the full tuition amount or check out the local public schools, which you're paying into via your taxes obviously.
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:22 PM |
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CaidensMommy
My 3 Miracles!
Member since 5/05 5777 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
I don't mind giving a donation or my time, we just can't do much in donations and I just can't find the time. Of course the school is closed until 8/3 so I can't call and ask them.
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:45 PM |
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Celt
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Member since 4/08 7758 total posts
Name:
colette
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Maybe get to church - you'll meet other parents who have school aged children and can pick their brains about what's required/expected. Again if you can't afford the suggested weekly donations to be considered active in the parish you would end up paying the higher tuition. In my current parish the "non-member" tuition for grade school is $1200 more than the "member" rate; that's basically $100 more per month when payments are stretched over the course of a year. My parents had 4 of us in my catholic grammar school at the same time and the payments were $$$$$ even back then in the Stone Age but the public schools around here SUCKED and as she tells it there was no way she was putting us in there. So suffice to say we didn't have many vacations and ate a lot of spaghetti from ages 5-13!!!
With baby #3 coming I imagine you're in a similar boat; volunteering may not really be practical for you at the moment, with a newborn, working FT and 2 older boys. My suggestion would be to not commit to a high # of hours per month that you may/may not be able to make - if you feel you have to commit your time then seriously lowball it (like 5 hrs/month or whatever); if you find you can do more that's great they won't turn you away. That's preferable to stressing yourself out if you're committed to something and can't make it on the day - highly likely with 3 little ones.
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| Posted 6/11/10 3:58 PM |
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Sassyz75
Turning a new page
Member since 5/05 9731 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
hmmm.. lets see..
my DD goes to Catholic school now for pre-K and there is certainly a minimum required donation amount for the discounted tuition rate...
I would certainly donate volunteer time- there are many opportunities for "time" stewardship ... RCIA, pre-cana, etc. that you can do that doens't take all THAT much time.
I also know that there are financial aid packages for families through the Diocese
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| Posted 6/11/10 4:04 PM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
start putting 2.00 in the envelopes now.
let them know you are going, you are giving what you can. Your phone call in August will sound better then.
Does your husband go to church with you? Maybe he can become an usher? that counts! as well as a reader, they always need readers.
good luck
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| Posted 6/11/10 6:20 PM |
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Peainapod
Peanuts are here!
Member since 1/09 13591 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
i would refuse to answer that. if you have thithing envelopes they would already know if they keep track. (last year i got a form for my taxes showing how much I gave and not that it was much..LOL )
My church actually sent out a pamphlet and letter about some new giving program where they want you to pledge like $3000-$5000 over the next 5 years and mark off however much that is per month. I almost died.
I would talk to the head priest there. You should not be accepted based on what you donate as you will be paying tuition anyway.
Such crap...
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| Posted 6/11/10 7:29 PM |
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Michelle1123
Baby #5 on the way!
Member since 9/05 7919 total posts
Name:
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
I would just pay the regular tuition amount. You would probably save more than what the church wants in required amounts of donations to offer the discount
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| Posted 6/11/10 7:35 PM |
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Michmouse
LIF Adult
Member since 11/07 1260 total posts
Name:
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
It is pretty clear what it says in the bible about donating money and time.... Christians are directed to give voluntarily as each person has determined in their hearts (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Anyway, I don't think it is at all unreasonable to inquire about the amount of $ or time invested into the church...Back in the day the church supported those is need....These days most people do not tithe (or even attend church regularly) so there is no possible way to help all those in need....and so we have government run programs instead. I like God's plan better.
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| Posted 6/11/10 8:37 PM |
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donegal419
St. Gerard, pray for us.
Member since 7/07 7650 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Posted by bdmom
as a non-Catholic who has agreed to raise my DCs Catholic, I'm apalled by this!! I had no idea this would be on the application!!
This is NOT the intent of a question like this!!! The intent is to ensure that the parents who register their child in the school will be committed to the school, not just or only financially, but willing to be involved in the parish activities and outreach. The hope is that the families are involved and active in the parish and not just signing their kid up with no intent of being involved.
and to answer the OP, the Church would absolutely understand your situation. I would talk to the principal or pastor about your situation. In fact, the Diocese runs a financial aid program to assist families with tuition costs.
ETA: Also members of the parish receive discounted tuition, i believe this is why they ask this.
Message edited 6/11/2010 9:33:12 PM.
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| Posted 6/11/10 9:31 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Posted by bdmom
as a non-Catholic who has agreed to raise my DCs Catholic, I'm apalled by this!! I had no idea this would be on the application!!
Unfortunately this is the norm!!!! Most of my neighbors send their kids to catholic school by me and they get discounted tuition if they dontate enough each year.
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| Posted 6/11/10 9:46 PM |
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butterfly20
Party of 5 - 2015
Member since 4/06 7390 total posts
Name:
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
Posted by bdmom
as a non-Catholic who has agreed to raise my DCs Catholic, I'm apalled by this!! I had no idea this would be on the application!!
I dunno, to me it makes sense.... if you are a practicing catholic you go to church, you donate money because you are taught to help the less fortunate. If you dont donate money so much then perhaps you donate time(which is more of our case). Its not like they are saying you cant go to the school if you dont donate, you just dont qualify for the discount.....
I belong to a couple of crafting guilds and you pay a yearly membership fee. When there are workshops they charge a higher amount if you are not a member and priority goes to the members....
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| Posted 6/11/10 11:17 PM |
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CunningOne
***
Member since 5/05 26975 total posts
Name:
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Re: Regarding "gifts and volunteer time" in Catholic Church
My children go to Catholic school. Our tuition is based on a supporting or non-supporting parishioner. Basically, if you contribute $600 or more per year to the Church (through Sunday collections, raffles, etc.), you are considered a supporting parishioner (regardless of where you live).
Posted by Michelle1123
I would just pay the regular tuition amount. You would probably save more than what the church wants in required amounts of donations to offer the discount
The difference in our parish school's tuition is over $2000 and the contribution to the Church amount is $600, so there is still a savings of $1400, which I find to be worth it.
To the OP, I would definitely talk to someone at the parish/school. They will be able to let you know the amount of donation and they will be able to assist you in going forward with volunteering, etc. Also, look into Tomorrow's Hope Foundation, however, I believe the application for scholarships based on financial need was April 1st for the upcoming school year.
As a family, we go to Mass every Sunday and use the envelopes, however, with the kids in school, I am working PT and DH works FT. We don't volunteer all that much. I do help out at the school when I can. It's not a lot of time.
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| Posted 6/12/10 9:06 AM |
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