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donnalynn
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| Posted: Nov 19 2008 at 5:12pm | IP Logged
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church events?
Many of our church events are fundraisers and I always feel a little bit guilty that we don't participate more but am I really going to spend $45 for a spaghetti dinner?
And I only have 4 children - so what do some of you do with larger families - not worry about it? make a small donation? make it a "date night" for you and dh? Maybe this is not the time in my family's life to participate in these kinds of things.
Any thoughts?
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donnalynn
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Angi
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Because of us, our church has made a max of $20 per family for most things now. They know that we will not come if it is $45, so they have a per person cost with a $20 per family max.
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Martha
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Nope. I think the last parish event I could afford was about 2 years ago, maybe 3.
Cost and age limits are the #1 and #2 reasons.
Even just $5 per person = $50
And they tend to segregate by age. They'll have some event for parents, but sans kids. Some event for a certain age bracket of kids, but not the others. Not really a "family event".
I've grudgingly come to accept that being active in a parish outside of mass attendance and other sacraments is just not part of my vocation right now. 
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Mary G
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Well some have a "family price" which is awfully nice (and usually fairly reasonable). The ones I have trouble with are the big ticket fundraisers that would be sensational to attend but $100/person????? My dh works for the Catholic Church ... need I say more? 
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LisaR
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Mary G wrote:
| My dh works for the Catholic Church ... need I say more? |
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ditto!!
we try to attend a few events per year, and it is thought of as a sacrifice and tithe for us.
(or we will "work" the event=getting the meal free )
honestly, I DO beleive the average person CAN afford it, even most homeschoolers I know will occasionally go out to dinner, and for many families, getting takeout or eating out is at least a weekly event.
It has been an amazing way for us to reach out to parishoners, and step outside our comfort zone on many levels (financial being one of them).
I've had many an interesting talk turn to NFP over the Spaghetti fundraiser, for example  .
My dh and sons work the Fish Fry's (held year-round on Friday)
Maybe it is better way to raise money and build community than selling wrapping paper .
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LisaR
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donnalynn wrote:
Maybe this is not the time in my family's life to participate in these kinds of things.
Any thoughts? |
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I think if you did try you might find a blessing in it.
older people would enjoy your kids help bussing tables, for example.
We think of it as a reverse "soup kitchen" experience (and I can't believe I'm typing this, Please, don't take this as high-and mighty... )
when we go we are ministering to a rich in finances yet poor in spirit crowd, oftentimes.
I am grateful that in small doses I can serve in this way as a family.
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
Thomas 11
Dominic 8
Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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donnalynn
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| Posted: Nov 21 2008 at 12:40pm | IP Logged
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After thinking about it a bit more....I think I'm not going to worry about it.
We try to be a generous family - for instance because we buy a lot of food in bulk - if someone needs a meal - we're up for it - or we can easily donate a bag of food - or our time for the local soup kitchen (actually because of our busy schedules *time* is quite a precious commodity around here).
We are more than willing to share our talents as our younger dd did for the parish talent show and older dd will this weekend for the Mass being offered for local firefighters. (She plays the bagpipes.)
And so much more...
I guess this has helped me figure out that it just isn't as easy for us to give of ourselves in the form of cash for things like tickets. We certainly contribute our share to the weekly collection plus money for other collections so I'm just not going to beat myself up anymore for not trying to squeeze more dollars out when there are no more dollars to squeeze!
Mary G - we did leave a parish years ago because besides the one annual picnic - everything offered by the parish was either a golf outing or tickets for a dinner cruise - things like that - it was very frustrating to read the bulletin each week.
The parish we attend now does do monthly pot luck suppers and coffee hours - which we are very grateful for.
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LisaR
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donnalynn wrote:
The parish we attend now does do monthly pot luck suppers and coffee hours - which we are very grateful for.
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that sounds great! I wish I had someone in my home who played the bagpipes, what a treat!
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
Thomas 11
Dominic 8
Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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