Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:31 pm Post subject: What happened ?
When my son was little we taught him to put a small amount of his pocket money into the donation bag when it came around during the church service.
That week-end he just received his monthly allowance and he was all ready to do that.
When the bag was passed down the isle, he put his $100 note in and the bag was passed on and on and to the next row...it did not come back to our row to his surprise
He was very quiet but he kept looking up at me with a puzzled look. Eventually I noticed his look and asked if something was wrong.
He whispered in my ear - "mom, I haven't got my change yet ...the bag went too fast before I could put my hand in"
Gender: Age: 9 Zodiac: Joined: 13 Jul 2006 Posts: 852 Location: PJU Home Country: malaysia
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: What happened ?
That's funny, Penny! Poor boy!
It's good that you taught him to be giving like that. I notice that many foreigners esp. Mat Sallehs in Malaysia pass on the donation bag without contributing. Did you ever notice that when you were here? Is it because they feel that they are only here temporarily so there's no need to contribute to the local church? Since they are not members of the local parish and therefore, the parish is not accountable to them as to how the donation is spent? I mention this because it's not just a few of them who do this but rather quite a number.
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:44 pm Post subject: Re: What happened ?
Eagle wrote:
That's funny, Penny! Poor boy!
It's good that you taught him to be giving like that. I notice that many foreigners esp. Mat Sallehs in Malaysia pass on the donation bag without contributing. Did you ever notice that when you were here? Is it because they feel that they are only here temporarily so there's no need to contribute to the local church? Since they are not members of the local parish and therefore, the parish is not accountable to them as to how the donation is spent? I mention this because it's not just a few of them who do this but rather quite a number.
I never really noticed, either I sat in the middle and they are all too big and tall or I sat towards the front ,only see the pulpit
Hehe, unless they write a big cheque once a month!!
I'd rather do it weekly-carry smaller amount of cash and a weekly reminder of God's blessings.
Hmm, I'm not sure why they don't give. Maybe not taught, too stingy, never appreciate blessings from above - just takers and not givers ....
I think one doesn't have to be a member of the local church/parish in order to give. If one attends a church regularly even if not the home church, it's good to give towards the work of that church/parish as there are always needs
Gender: Age: 11 Zodiac: Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 7697 Location: Sydney- Australia Home Country: australia
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:05 am Post subject:
I often wondered what happened to the money that was put on the plate. Is it to suport the Priest, or is it just for the church to use on bibles and stuff?
STUD
Haha, Stud .... most churches have a Board of Govenors and treasurer etc. At least in the churches I've been to there are lots of charity works that go on eg supporting missionaries in under developed countries, summer schools and camps for under privileged kids, walk in day center for the street people, where they can have a lunch box and a hot drink, regular visits to the orphanages and charity senior homes where seniors are abandoned by their children ...the list goes on....when the world is merciless at least there is a place for some to find consolation and minimal care, then they can face another day... it's a matter of the heart
Gender: Age: 36 Zodiac: Joined: 08 Aug 2005 Posts: 4356 Location: Here, There & Everywhere Home Country: australia
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:05 pm Post subject:
Well, personally when I go to church (Roman Catholic) I do not put $$$ for offering because (you can call it "insider" knowledge) I know they have enough in their coiffers.
Usually, there are 2 collections during Mass. One is for the building maintenance and the other is usually for the Poor or for some other reason. I would never give towards the maintenance of the building because the diocese is bloody rich. Yet, they continuously tax the people for funds.
Lately they sold off a lot of land and property accorded to them from the Govt. (One of which is the La Salle College in Penang, Penny) From that sale alone, they made over RM98million. But till today, there has been no word on how that $$$ has been utilised.
Yet, you still find other mission schools (for eg, St.Michael's Institution in Ipoh) asking for funds to repair the school from the public. Where has all the $$$ gone? The church talks so much about transperency in governance yet for their own affairs, they really know how to shroud their activities.
So, what I am trying to say is that where $$$ is concerned, whether its a church or not, you should still open your eyes as to what you are giving for.
In denominations other than RC, where the church basically exists from the support of its people, then yes, by all means, support its growth. But in the case of the RC church, don't be too quick to judge when people pass the collection plate without digging into their pockets. You do not know, how they are contributing in other ways.
After all, a church should be the last place you should be scrutinising a fellow worshipper and blatantly passing judgement, right, Eagle?
Anyway, my two cents worth from the grand-niece of Malaysia's first Roman Catholic Monsignor, niece of the Mother-Superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Samoa and cousin of one of the promininent and upcoming priests in St.John's Cathedral, KL.
Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 1657 Location: Snake And Fake Free Zone Home Country: lebanon
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:54 pm Post subject:
Wow Schatje... Did not know you had such holy connections! No wonder i can see a "halo" above your head everytime i meet you in person!
In the rare ocassions that I have managed to drag myself to church, I will normally donate what i can afford whenever I sincerely want to donate.
Eagle I read your post and IMHO i think your statement is rather un-Christian like. You may not have meant it in that manner but that was the gist of it when i read it. You seemed to have passed judgement on your fellow Christians just because you dont see them donating to the coffers during service. They may contribute in many ways and not just in monetary form. Who are the fellow parishoners to criticise them for not doing so? Do you think a Christian who gives weekly to the coffers is a better Christian than those who do not? I hope this is not what you meant.
Um, those powerful and rich churches ...yap, stopped going to those ages ago.
I personally prefer independent churches and that's where donations are needed for the running of the church and for all the good charitable works in the community.
I know Schatz, that La Salle Bld in Penang was sold to Hunza and they're going to build 3 blocks of commerce,office and some kind of service hotel on that plot. It's over at Gurney Drive on PRIMIUM LAND
Same with my former sch ( CLS, RC -Order of The Holy Infant Jesus), no money to do repairs. Most funds are from donations too. Looks like the Catholic Organization in M'sia is not taking care of their institutions any longer. Yes, where do all that 98Mil go...can you find out? This year my class was hoping to help the sch with a project as we managed to gather 30+ alumni...hehe, maybe we can get some from those people Most probably I'm just dreaming
I'm sure Eagle didn't mean to be judgemental. Just like that poor widow who gave a dime humbly and the rich gave lots and was showing off - the blessings went to the poor widow as she gave what she could afford. Money is not the only means of giving, true SG. It's infact the easier means when compared to giving time and energy to help the charity works. Eventually, it's still what's in the heart that counts when we give or help from our hearts and not to show off to others
Gender: Age: 36 Zodiac: Joined: 08 Aug 2005 Posts: 4356 Location: Here, There & Everywhere Home Country: australia
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:58 pm Post subject:
Well said Penny, its what's in the heart that counts.
We are digging to try and get a response from the La Salle brothers over the sale of the property. But to no avail.
It would really be nice if they start using the $$$ given by the people for the people in ways like:
1. Scholarships for deserving students
2. Improving mission schools
3. Training lay people to take a more active role in pastoral duties & [spam word detected] a nominal fee for it.
For eg, a friend of mine moved to the US and he offered his services to the local parish there. Basically doing things that he did back home, like playing the organ, cleaning the altar, preparation before Mass etc. And he was surprised that he actually got PAID for it!
Not much but enough to help with groceries. They also had training programs for lay people to work as counsellors, facilitators etc.
This is the reason why I stopped going for Mass at a certain church in KL because that particular parish has a reputation for lambasting the Govt at every sermon. And after awhile, I felt like yelling "hello...take care of your own backyard first!"
Btw..the story about your son, was really adorable! I love the outright innocence and honesty of children. Nothing fake about them. Just purity.
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No wonder i can see a "halo" above your head everytime i meet you in person! 
Halo ? hee hee You sure Sulphur Gal? Coz most times people see my horns.
Most probably I'm just dreaming 