Parish of St. Benedict

Fostering the need to give versus giving to a need

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. (Luke 14:28-30)

As most Christians are aware, the Bible tells us that we should give the first 10% of our earnings back to God, in recognition that virtually all that we receive in this world – truly comes from Him. Financial discipleship (or stewardship) is just one of the ways that we can share those treasures, along with giving our time, sharing our special talents, and just as important – our prayers with others.

When it comes to giving back financially, there are many worthy places we can donate funds to build up His kingdom, and help our less fortunate brothers and sisters. We can give to our own parish, both to help it in its direct ministries and to allow it to further aid other causes dear to parishioners. Many of us give a portion to our annual Diocesan Charity and Development Appeal that supports numerous worthy individual agencies throughout the valley. We often give to local food banks like St. Mary’s or St. Vincent De Paul, to foreign missions, to local Catholic schools (including our own St. John Bosco!) as well. The important thing is that we try to give back wherever we can – and that we give responsibly through agencies that deliver their services as efficiently as possible, so that those in need receive the maximum benefit.

Here is a list of opportunities to financially support the Parish of St. Benedict.

St. Benedict Faith-Filled Offertory Giving:
Here at the Parish of St. Benedict our Faith-Filled Giving program is a way that families can financially support the day-to-day operations of the parish. As members of this community, we are all called to be Disciples of Christ recognizing God’s presence in all and responding with our lives. It is with this in mind that we ask the community to discern how their participation in offertory giving relates to their lives as a disciple.

To set up your offertory giving online, click here.

St. Benedict’s Debt Retirement Fund:
This fund directly pays down the debt St. Benedict has as a result of moving from Chandler to Phoenix.

Gift Opportunities:
If you are interested in making a designated gift in support of a specific ministry or program, we would be delighted to explore this opportunity with you. Please click here to see a list of our current needs.

St. Benedict’s Scholarship Fund for St. John Bosco:
The St. Benedict Scholarship Fund directly supports parishioner families with children attending our school, St. John Bosco Catholic School.

Suggested Reading:
A list to help you privately engage and discern what financial stewardship means to you…

Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make A Difference by Max Lucado. These are difficult days in our world’s history. 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, natural disasters are gouging entire nations, and economic uncertainty still reigns across the globe. But you and I have been given an opportunity to make a big difference. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God’s love and life? We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth. Let’s live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did.

Your Money God’s Way: Overcoming the 7 Money Myths that Keep Christians Broke by Amie Streater. Readers discover the seven “counterfeit convictions” that keep them broke and encounter proven plans and for getting out of debt, building wealth, and finding financial peace. Money habits. Where do they come from? Can you pinpoint when you started shopping to feel better, why you can’t usher grown children into financial independence, or why saving for the future is a priority in theory but not in practice?

And one of the most beautifully written books of all time…The Giving Tree
“Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy.” So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk . . . and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave.
This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.

Discussion Questions:
How do you think about money? Take a few minutes to reflect upon your own understanding of money and the circumstances or events that have led you to your stance.

1. What is my perception of giving money to my place of worship?
2. Do I enjoy being rewarded or acknowledged when I give?
3. Do I feel a need to give? Or, do I prefer to give to a need?
4. How do I understand “Love your neighbor as yourself”?
5. Do I share and give what I have?

Movie Suggestions:
Movies about money…how it affects our lives, the good, bad and ugly.
Trading Places
Wall Street
Money Pit
Brewster’s Millions
It’s a Wonderful Life

And one more to check out if you have kids…
Kids + Money
Acclaimed photographer Lauren Greenfield is considered a preeminent chronicler of youth culture as a result of her groundbreaking projects Girl Culture and Fast Forward. Kids + Money is an original short film, featuring conversations with young people from diverse Los Angeles communities about the role of money in their lives. From rich to poor, Pacific Palisades to East L.A., kids address how they are shaped by a culture of consumerism.

Websites to Explore:
Project CHANGE http://projectchange.sec.gov Learn the importance of financial literacy. Get advice on saving, spending and sharing money.
You Are Here www.ftc.gov/YouAreHere This site helps you think like a consumer and find out things like how advertising influences your decisions.
Create a Budget http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/money/managing/article6.html PBS Kids Go – A budget, or spending plan, will help you cover all your needs, wants, expenses, and saving goals. It requires three things: Knowing how much money you spend, knowing your saving goals and managing your money.
Dave Ramsey www.daveramsey.com here you will find budgeting tips, tools for living debt free and getting out of debt, podcasts and more.