The sermon of the amount

We are planning to replace our broken furnace, aging roof, and make some other much-needed updates to our parish. Of course the cost estimate from the architect was lower than the actual bids received for the work. However, we must continue to ensure the comfort and safety of our parishioners so we will press on.

Like many parishes we are graying and many of our seniors are on fixed incomes. The few young families we have are struggling to stay solvent and feed and clothe their kids, and those in their early 20s are either in school or working minimum wage jobs. Not exactly a hotbed of liquid assests, is it?

We were throwing around some ideas tonight to help the parish contribute generously to the renovation. There has been some criticism in the past of Father and the Council "pressuring" parishioners to pledge a certain amount - an amount that would be more than 10% of their monthly income.

We do not want anyone to feel pressured. We want them to give proportionate to their income. However, we don't want to set the bar so low that we are caught short.

How would you "market" this renovation? (And Catholic guilt won't work around here!)

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