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OFFERING ENVELOPES F.J. REMEY & CO MINEOLA, NY

You must know the needs of your parish in order to meet them…..

Most people agree that offering envelopes are a more acceptable means of expressing these needs than frequent “money talks” from the pulpit. Envelopes bring the spirit of charity and sacrifice into the home and in doing so, they allow you (and perhaps your family) to decide upon your offerings in thoughtful privacy – not in a rush as the collection basket nears.

Be honest with yourself.

While in some cases the non-user may actually be supporting the Church as fully as the envelope user, on the proven average between 80-90% of a church’s weekly income results from envelope use. Yet a far smaller percentage of parishioners regularly use their envelopes. So no matter how sincerely non-users, as a group, may feel that they are doing their fair share, the fact remains that the faithful envelope user bears the burden of Church support.

“My offering is my business!”

Of course it is….but remember that your offering goes to support the business of the Church. Your pastor has learned that the only regular income he can depend on is that which is returned through Offering Envelopes. Therefore, in privately making known your gift through the use of these envelopes you provide your pastor with the important confidential data he needs to plan the parish budget.

“They’re too commercial!”

Rather than being “commercial”, Offering envelopes are simply practical. While enabling your parish to handle its income more efficiently, they also regularly inform you of the needs which your offerings support.

“But I can’t give much!”

Your envelopes are there to help you give what you can and to keep your gift private. After all, what you give is a very personal matter and in many cases a small donation can be more meaningful than a large one. So there is good reason to use envelopes in making even small donations…they may be large sacrifices.

Through giving anonymously you have disregarded the fact that –

Those who make known their support through the use of envelopes give a sign that they are concerned in other areas of parish life as well.

Your rightful income tax deduction –

In acknowledging the importance of church support, the government grants a deduction on all contributions. In other words, your gifts afford you a savings. However, in order to claim your rightful deduction you need proof of your donations. Again, if you have been a regular envelope user, this proof is confidentially available through your pastor.

A final word to the anonymous giver…

When you present a gift to someone you care for, you know that it is not the value of the gift which truly counts but the fact that it came from you. What really matters is that you care – and that someone has been pleased by your consideration. Had your gift been anonymously given, would either of you have received true satisfaction from it? Your offerings to the Church are much like the tokens of affection which you present to a close friend. In acknowledging your sacrifice you show your concern – in giving anonymously, you deny both your parish and yourself the full fruits of your sacrifice.