Hamilton Bishop makes plea for parish financial support

Writing in the Hamilton Diocese publication Kete Korero, Bishop Laurenson reflected on ordinary time, discipleship, prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

“We are all used to the calls for prayer and fasting,” the bishop said.

“The seasons of Lent and Advent do that in spades. We are less tolerant (or at least me) of the multiple opportunities every year for that third leg of the stool, almsgiving.

“There are tons of asks: Peter’s Pence; Caritas; PMS; Seminary; Bishop’s; Common Good and SVDP being the most ubiquitous.

“Last August, we started a deliberate approach for the local, namely your parish. All parishes run on the oily rag principle. Usually about 5 per cent under enough – with no strategic maintenance plan in place. What is missing from all parishes is at least 10 per cent of the building value, just to stop it falling down. This is untrendy, and we struggle to fund it, but it is very needed.

True almsgiving is not about “trendy projects”, he said, “but the unglamourous: Alms to keep the parish going; the priest fed; and the local poor encouraged is the challenge I place before you.

“If your parish is to be the place of discipleship . . . it needs your help, your time, your place and, frankly, your money.

“Please consider this call with a generous heart and thank you.”

FULL STORY

Ordinary Time – Issuu (Kete Korero/Catholic Diocese of Hamilton)