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Author Topic: Mass stipend $ increase  (Read 13000 times)

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Änσnymσus

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Mass stipend $ increase
« on: February 26, 2023, 04:01:25 PM »
Mass Stipends increased 25% to $25.00.  Novus Ordo Masses are still a $10.00 stipend in Canada.  People are struggling already.  To charge $1000.00 for Gregorian Masses could deprive a soul of much needed help.
If someone is already contributing weekly, if they get sick and request a sick call that's extra?  
Are the increases to pay for the sushi takeout they order?

Mass Stipends - Update from the District Superior
FEBRUARY 22, 2023
SOURCE: FSSPX.NEWS

 Holy Mass by Father Mac Gillivray at the Church of Transfiguration - Toronto title= Holy Mass by Father Mac Gillivray at the Church of Transfiguration - Toronto
The recommended Mass stipend offering is increasing from $20 to $25 as it is fifteen years since the last change.

Dear Faithful,

Spiritual things are literally priceless. Just as love cannot be bought, so the truth cannot be sold. To put a price on sacraments and to sell them is a sin called simony from Simon the Magician who tried to buy ordination from the Apostles. The sacraments are not for sale, but a voluntary offering may be made on the reception of the sacraments. This offering is not a price for the sacrament, but a contribution to the material expenses of the apostolate and the running expenses of a church. It is also customary (and is legislated for in Canon Law) to make an offering to the priest who offers a Mass for the particular intention of the donor. This offering is known as a 'stipend' and rather than going to the church, is kept by the priest and used for his personal expenses such as clothing, books, almsgiving and personal travel expenses.

Below is a table of suggested offerings that will apply in the district of Canada from Ash Wednesday, February 22nd 2023. The recommended Mass stipend offering is increasing from $20 to $25 as it is fifteen years since the last change.

May God bless you for your generosity,

Fr. David Sherry
District Superior


 

Suggested Offering

BaptismVoluntary Donation
ConfirmationVoluntary Donation
Weddings$300 to the chapel including the Mass stipend of $100 for the priest
Funerals$300 to the chapel including the Mass stipend of $300 for the priest
Single Mass Stipend$25
Novena Mass Stipend (9 consecutive Masses for one intention)$250
Gregorian Mass Stipend (30 consecutive Masses for the repose of the soul of one person)$1000
Visit to the sickVoluntary Donation


Änσnymσus

  • Guest
Re: Mass stipend $ increase
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2023, 05:56:34 PM »
A Mass stipend should be enough to support the living expenses of a priest for one day. 

Can you live off $25 a day?

If you can’t afford it, then tell the priest that.  


Änσnymσus

  • Guest
Re: Mass stipend $ increase
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2023, 06:10:46 PM »
That's interesting. I had never heard of all these "voluntary donations" for so many of the sacraments. Is that traditional? Like you say, when you are a parishioner giving regularly in the collections, or even if you are not... it just starts to sound a little too much like a "career". That being said, they are only suggestions, and I certainly don't know any Traditional priest who is motivated by the money rather than the service of God and love of souls. All priests I know would offer a Mass gratis for a worthy intention if the person requesting had no means. The other side of the coin is the faithful who selfishly request Masses, Novenas, Gregorians for the uncle of the friend of every third cousin who dies or gets a headache, and they offer a pittance, weighing down the priest and expecting him to suffer all the inconvenience. After all, there are, especially nowadays, so few priests to serve so many faithful, so we need to be considerate of others, and the priest, when requesting Masses.

Änσnymσus

  • Guest
Re: Mass stipend $ increase
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2023, 08:11:52 PM »
A Mass stipend should be enough to support the living expenses of a priest for one day.
What would be their living expenses?  They get free room and board, gas, maybe the use of a vehicle, insurance?,  maybe health insurance.
It's not like their expenses are the same as the people in the pews.
With the cost of living now it's difficult to give alms for the poor souls as often as we should and how many times do you tell the priest "this is all I can afford" before you're told he's all booked up.
Pre Vat II stipends for a Low Mass was $2.00 and High Mass was $5.00.  I realize that's outdated but maybe they could have two different amounts now.

Offline Matthew

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Re: Mass stipend $ increase
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2023, 08:28:22 PM »

What would be their living expenses?  They get free room and board, gas, maybe the use of a vehicle, insurance?,  maybe health insurance.
It's not like their expenses are the same as the people in the pews.


This much is definitely true. An SSPX priest is covered for most normal expenses by his organization. That $25 goes right to "fun and games" pretty much. Even his food is covered. Certainly his housing, utilities, car, and insurance. Seriously, what does that leave? Personal items, entertainment, spending money. If he wants a new cassock, a book, a movie, entertainment, eating out, wine, cigars -- stuff like that. And of course personal charity -- if he wants to help his family, friends, parishioners, he would need personal money to do that.

You have to be careful though. Priests have a hard life, and "the laborer is worthy of his hire". Priests gave up their earthly life to bring you Christ in the Sacraments. They aren't allowed to get a job and earn money, nor will they ever marry or have a family. That's giving up a lot, if you think about it. And not every priest is an SSPX or equivalent priest, as I described (everything "covered"). That would include Conciliar as well as FSSP priests. Smaller groups and especially independent priests are completely on-their-own. That should be taken into consideration.