As many of you know, the third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known by Roman Catholics as Gaudete Sunday or Rose Sunday. The idea is that we change for one Sunday of Advent, from the purple of penitence to the rose of joy and celebration. I propose that “Pink” Sunday 2009 be observed with a boycott of funds to the Catholic Church in order to call our church leaders to repentance for their misuse of church funds in support of political agendas which do not reflect our faith and mission.
Please join me on Sunday, December 13, 2009 in making your statement of repentance from being used and your finances being improperly used. The Church’s bully pulpit and financial clout come from us, the parishioners. Next Sunday, let’s send a clear message to the hierarchy that we want a return to the traditional mission of the church and to support the traditional Works of Mercy.
The traditional enumeration of the corporal works of mercy is as follows:
- To feed the hungry;
- To give drink to the thirsty;
- To clothe the naked;
- To harbor the harborless;
- To visit the sick;
- To ransom the captive;
- To bury the dead.
The spiritual works of mercy are:
- To instruct the ignorant;
- To counsel the doubtful;
- To admonish sinners;
- To bear wrongs patiently;
- To forgive offences willingly;
- To comfort the afflicted;
- To pray for the living and the dead.
They do not include contributions to political campaigns, nor holding the poor hostage as indicated in my previous posts on this subject.
How can we send a clear message of repentance? Withhold financial contributions from control by diocesan officials who have departed from what we believe. Instead, use your offering envelope or other means of putting a note in the offering basket that you have diverted your usual offering to a true Work of Mercy in your community. Each parish in the Saint Louis Archdiocese pays a two percent “tribute” or “tax” to the diocese on the Sunday collection. In some cases, “restricted gifts” to your parish are exempt from this tax and thus from a percentage of them being used to contribute to causes with which you do not agree. Talk to your priest about how to resist the “tax” without harming your local parish.
What do you think? Please let me know if you are “in”. Perhaps we could produce an offering plate card that would replace our usual donation. Help anyone?
Peace,
Mike Baldwin
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