The First Collection taken up at Weekend Masses
The First Collection is for the upkeep of the priests. The monies collected go to a central fund in the Diocese of Broken Bay to ensure equity for all priests working in the diocese and for retired priests of the diocese. The fund provides priests a stipend each fortnight, a place to live, and their household expenses. Fifteen percent of the income is for the Bishop and the exercise of his ministry.
The Second Collection taken up at Weekend Masses
The Second Collection is for the Parish. It consists of planned giving by direct debit or by weekly envelopes and by cash given at the time of the collection. These donations provide for the costs of the administration of the parish, for support of ministries exercised for the parish and for the maintenance of the parish buildings, including the costs of electricity and insurance. The income of this collection also pays for the phone and car expenses of the Parish Priest, as well as his superannuation.
Forms to contribute to these two collections in a planned and regular way, either by direct debit or by a set of weekly envelopes, are available from the Parish Office and on our website.
Donations can also be made electronically through the "Make A Payment" tab on the Parish website: bbcatholic.org.au/wahroonga
Pastoral Works Broken Bay (PWBB)
The Diocese asks each parish to conduct three special appeals during the year. These donations support the work of the Diocese to support our Catechists who teach Religious Education in our State Schools. It also provides support for CatholicCare Broken Bay, the Diocesan welfare agency, and the two schools for children with special needs in our parish, St. Lucy’s and St. Edmund’s. Pastoral Works Broken Bay is 100% tax deductible.
Other Main Collections conducted by the Parish
- Project Compassion, conducted during Lent each year: This is the major source of funds for Caritas, the Catholic organization that provides humanitarian assistance to people in need.
- Catholic Mission Appeal, taken annually: This supports the spreading of the Gospel in a variety of ways particularly in those places around the world where Australian missionaries work.
- St. Vincent de Paul Appeals: our St. Vincent de Paul Society conducts both a Winter Appeal and a Christmas Hamper Appeal for the disadvantaged in our society. As well, there are donation boxes for the St. Vincent de Paul Society at the entrances to our church.
Responsibility for Parish Finances
The Parish Finance Committee assists the Parish Priest in the management of the parish funds. It meets quarterly to review income and expenditure of the parish, to attend to the development of the parish finances, and to advise the Parish Priest on
issues of maintenance. It also considers budgetary issues and presents to the parish on an annual basis a financial statement.
Another way to assist our parish is to consider a gift in your will. Your gift of any size will help our parish continue our good works and loving outreach. Please contact the parish office for a confidential discussion or more information. (Alternatively see the “giving” pages at www.bbcatholic.org.au)