Priest Puts Ban on Collections

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 14, 5 April 1923, Page 13

Priest Puts Ban on Collections

Rev. J. R. Kenny, pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.A., has devised a method of eliminating the collection plate as a means of keeping church finances solvent. Father Kenny is the authority for the statement that the new plan is working satisfactorily (says the -North-West lleview, Winnipeg). Discussing the working of the present system which has banished the collection at the door as well as the passing of the collection plate during the Mass, Father Kenny said: "Every adult down to the last year's graduates we count as a parish unit; husband and wife wo call one unit. In December, each unit receives his or her package of 52 envelopes with name and address printed by addressograph on all. This means a little work once a year, but nothing compared to peddling tickets or organising a picnic or a bazaar.". Every Sunday the following announcement is made at all the Masses: "School supportchurch support, simplified. In this church there are reserved seats, therefore no pew-rent. There no monthly collection; no plate is passed on Sundays' for parish collections. For the bread and butter of nine Sisters, , two priests, a professor of singing, organist and janitors; for coal, light,-water, lent, taxes, interest,- insurance, .everlasting repairs, etc.", our average weekly expenses are over 400 dollars. , Our '■"■:present debt is 18,000 dollars. ; v To meet all this we depend •J absolutely on your weekly envelopes." i Father Kennedy says that he adopted his present system in \ order .to do i. away with distractions incident tor the passing of the collection during the Mass. '>^^v ; -.-\.-";.'-'.-^---' .V : ;;"f