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Dear Friends,
Money is always a difficult subject to talk about and that is truer than ever at the moment, but I want to say a few brief, and hopefully careful, words on behalf of Fr Pius, Fr Brendan, Fr Stanley and myself about Christmas. I feel a little awkward doing so, but I simply want to give you information and facts, rather than make any kind of appeal.
As priests, we receive a small monthly salary from the weekly collection, but by tradition the collection at Christmas and Easter has been parishioners' personal gift to the priests of the parish. These two collections form the majority of the income that the priests receive each year. As I mentioned, this has been a difficult financial year for everyone, for ourselves the most significant factor was that we couldn't have the traditional Easter Offering collection this year because there were no public liturgies at the time.
I say all this as a way of asking you to be thoughtful about this year's Christmas Offering, and the ways in which you might contribute, even if you are unable to come to Mass this year. Here are three suggestions:
- Firstly, if you are at Mass you will find small white Christmas Offering envelopes, you can use these to make a cash donation at the collection time.
- Secondly, if you are unable to come to Mass this Christmas, you can make a one-off transfer to the cluster bank account
Bank: NatWest
Sort Code: 60-06-11
Account Number: 33392552
Account Name: Milton Keynes Area Cluster
Payment Ref: **Christmas Offering**
(Any money you may already contribute to the parish by standing order, is completely separate and does not form part of the Christmas Offering)
- Thirdly, every Tuesday between 10am - 4pm, a member of the Diocesan Finance Team will be available in the Curial offices for you to make a donation over the telephone. To donate simply call 01604 712065 with your debit or credit card details. The money will go directly to the parish/cause that you designate.
I am sorry that this message seems to be longer than the rest of the newsletter! I hope you accept it in the spirit in which it is intended.
Yours awkwardly!
Fr Francis
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