St Peter's/St Paul's Parish Offertory Promise Envelope Scheme

The Offertory Promise Envelope Scheme enables parishioners to contribute to the financial upkeep and running of the parish as well as to support the priests in their ministry of service to the community.

Like any other organisation or household the parish has bills to pay and these expenses are published in the annual statement of accounts.  In order to meet its financial responsibilites the parish relies on the goodwill and generosity of parishioners.  Those who receive or expect to receive a service of any kind, no matter how little or infrequent, are asked to help in the running and maintenance costs of the parish and of the services which they receive.

The scheme is known as Offertory Promise, because parishioners are asked to make their financial contributions at the Offertory of the Mass.

The Offertory Collecton gives parishioners an opportunity to fulfil their responsibility to make an offering or sacrifice for the good of the parish community.  The tradition of sacrifice is very old in sacred worship, giong back to the Old Testament sacrficies.  To make a sacrifice is an expression of gratitute and trust in a loving God.  To make a sacrifice or offering at Mass makes sacred one's gift of love to God and His Church.  In this very practical way, parishioners benefit themselves and the parish community through their charitable giving at the Offertory of the Mass. 

The parish needs a steady income in order to budget and meet its financial responsibilities.  It depends, mostly, on the Offertory Collection at Mass to receive its income.

The parish like any other body has financial responsibilities.

The parish is dependent on the generosity and goodwill of parishioners for income.

The priests of the parish receive their income in the 14 envelopes (monthly, Easter and Christmas), provided in each year's box for this purpose.

The special collections are to help the diocese and the wider Church carry out its mission.

The parish needs a steady income in order to budget and meet its financial responsibilities.  It depends, mostly, on the Offertory Collection at Mass to receive its income.

WHO SHOULD CONTRIBUTE?

Parishioners who receive or expect to receive a service from the parish and who have an income are asked to contribute.

• Reassess his/her weekly contribution to the parish.
• Provide people who have come to live in our parish, and who have not had a box of envelopes, to obtain one.
• Encourage young people who are now in employment to make their contributions to the cost of a service they will receive e.g., Sunday Mass, wedding, baptism of children.

HOW MUCH SHOULD ONE CONTRIBUTE?

• Equal Sacrifice rather then equal amounts is expected.
• The amount which an individual gives the parish in the weekly envelope is a matter of personal responsibility.
• The amount should be meaningful and realistic.  Compare what the weekly offering would buy in other circumstances.
• Suggestion:  1 - 2% of one's income.

METHODS OF PAYMENT:

• Box of numbered envelopes.  This box contains the envelopes for all collections which are taken up at the Offertory of the Mass.
• Cheque.
• Standing Order.  This method may be more convenient for some donors.

It is suggested that a husband and wife make a jont payment.  Other family members with a separate income may wish to have their own box of envelopes.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Hopefully ever parishioner who has an income will want to play his/her part in helping our parish meet its financial responsibilities.

• You can do this by calling at the parish office and obtaining and completing an Offertory Promise Collection Form
• Gift Aid Declaration Form (Income-tax payers only).