Fr. Le Roux bought the car being raffled (a "C300 4matic") in the Mercedes-Benz Giveaway for $40,000.

A friend of mine got this information talking with a current seminarian at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary.

He then passed it on to me. So I guess it's third-hand? Anyhow, it's credible.

It makes sense, too. The wealthy/empty nesters/baby boomers who have big money to donate will be attracted to such a prize. "oooh, a luxury car!"

Whereas offering a 15-passenger van for raffle would appeal to many young fathers of big families. But those fathers can't donate much, since they're trying to raise a large family in 2015.

Fr. Le Roux bought the car being raffled (a "C300 4matic") in the Mercedes-Benz Giveaway for $40,000.

If this seminarian is at all correct about the price, they bought it new and then drove the 10,000 miles themselves. It would have been more like $30,000 if the car already had 10,000 miles on it.

A thought just entered my head --

How does that car look so PERFECT with a showroom shine, when it's not in a showroom? In fact, look at the snow on the ground!  Has anyone here driven on public roads up North where it snows? You get sand/salt/grime/slush on your tires, and it gets splashed up on your vehicle.

Long story short, I think 1 or more seminarians had a specific manualia* at some time in the recent past when this photo was taken: wash/wax/buff this vehicle.


* manualia was the term used at the seminary for "manual labor". There were fixed times during the week that the lower years would do 1.5 - 2.5 hours of manual labor, usually in the afternoon. Wood splitting, maintenance, garden, sacristy, grease trap, grounds, garage, etc.

Whatever happened to 'carry no purse.....'

Here is the graphic that goes with the post:

"The future of the SSPX"

They appear to be acclimating to the lifestyle and values of the Virginia future.

I disagree. This car is a good fundraiser because it appeals to a lot of different people. Most people I know would put a for sale sign on it so soon as they won. And then buy a van or help pay off their house, etc. Younger or older people without kids might keep it. How many carseats can you get in this car?

It's a luxury car. For those with means and who desire luxury goods. For those who want to appear better than their peers -- to show they have "arrived".

There are several things you are overlooking:

1. A luxury car is a luxury car. If you "keep it", you're still deciding to spend $30,000 on your "basic transportation". You could sell it and buy TWO like-new 4-door sedans "for the common man".

2. Thieves will be more likely to look in that car for money/gold/jewels/valuables/electronics, since you are obviously rich (as they see it). Oh, and a car like this is worth the risk and trouble of stealing the car itself!

3. Even if you don't intend it, everyone will believe you bought the car on purpose (which you did -- you didn't sell it, after all!) and will get the impression you consider yourself wealthier/more successful/better than they.

4. Insurance premiums will likely be higher.

5. Repairs and routine maintenance will *certainly* be higher. I believe an oil change will set you back $300 - $400. A former member of CathInfo suggested you proposition a mechanic at a Mercedes-Benz dealership to do "moonlighting" or side work for less. Basically, find a young man willing to do the same work off-hours in his own garage for a fraction of the cost. But who has the time and ability to arrange something like that? Maybe if you're Mr. Salesman, with a well-worn copy of "How to make friends and influence people" under your arm. But what about the rest of us? $300 oil changes it is. NOTE: Everyone can't simply stroll into a Mercedes-Benz and wait in line to chat with one of the mechanics privately. If it were that easy, NO ONE would pay the $300 for oil changes! Think about it.

So considering #5 alone, the choice of "what the heck. I'll just keep it" means you spend THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS (or more) every oil change, instead of the usual $35 or $40. That's quite a luxury expense right there.  Paying $260 more just for an oil change!

I still disagree. Not everybody is the common man. Some have more and if the car is used in the future for attending Mass or other duties or if one thanks God for it then that's all virtuous. Whoever wins the car should just try to be prudent and grateful. I know if my mom won it she would sell it and buy her kids a van. Maybe. Well she might keep it.
Yeah, she'd keep it. But she'd give anyone a ride, especially to Mass.

Colombiere, if your Mom won this car, she would owe income taxes on its value. Let say its valued at $30,000, which would be a more likely value than $40K, the winner must declare its value as income. So, let say she is in the 15% tax bracket, her tax would be about $4500. Let say she is in the 25% bracket, her tax would be $7500.  

If folks want to donate to the cause, just do it, without seeking anything in return, but this is very foolish way to raise money for the organization like the SSPX.   It lends itself to desire of the flesh, pride, and impression AND implicates the winner to a huge tax debt.  Just foolish.