Bulletin Article for Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 19/20, 2020

People often ask me about where donation and offering monies go that are given to the church. Because of this, I have asked Monica, our Business Manager to write a little piece to explain where the donations and offering go. I think that you will find this to be very helpful in understanding how (financially) things go.  - Fr. Tom Gaughan, CSC

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Have you ever questioned where your funds go when you give to the parish? Or, do you want to know how to designate your funds to go to a specific program? We are often asked how our funds are selected to go towards our programs and what part the Archdiocese plays in the Parish Funds. Here is a brief breakdown on how this works.

Understanding the terms: There is Offertory and Donations that usually come to the parish through in-person, mail, or online payments. When we receive these funds it depends on a few factors as to how they are allocated.

During Mass any Offering given into the basket is considered Offertory (unless specifically written in the memo of a check stating otherwise) and will be designated to the operation of the parish. All offertory is subject to a tithing to the Archdiocese of Portland at 8% and to the retirement of Priests at 2%. These funds are totaled annually and disbursed to the Archdiocese on a monthly basis.

Donations are usually given to aid the Mission of St. Andre Bessette in serving our community. When a check is written to us it will usually state “Donation” in the memo of the check. These funds are not tithed to the Archdiocese and remain 100% within the parish. Some individuals will put a specific request with a donation whether it be coffee, hygiene supplies, or food pantry, it is required all the specific donations be in writing or verbalized to the Business Manager.

Funds can be given through mail and online as well as in person. Online funds are treated as Donations unless otherwise requested by emailing the Business Manager. USP Mail funds are both ongoing offertory and/or donations and can be directed toward the requested account.

If you have any questions on how to designate your funds or would like more information on specific program funding needs, please email the Business Manager, Monica Hofstetter at billing@saintandrechurch.org