Over Christmas, I went to the local church in the very small parish near where we stayed. The Christmas collection had been stolen on Christmas afternoon while the families of the parish were having their Christmas dinners. At this point, I expected some noble words about loving the sinner and hating the sin and that we should pray for the thief who must be an unhappy person. Instead the priest advised parishioners to lock their doors and give particularly generously to the collection. Somehow unsatisfying.
Yes, I remember from my childhood all those sermons entreating us to give generously.
The only rich local family we had in our parish always took the front pew and the father (of the family, not the priest) sang every male solo despite not being able to hold a tune or even enunciate (“TOE him be glory for ever”). Does this kind of thing still happen?
I also recall little envelopes for the collection with serial numbers on them (for traceability?), perhaps a dove or two.
When I was a child, our elderly parish priest used always to give one very long sermon around this time of year about the necessity for the payment of the dues (this goes to the priests, whereas the plate collection goes to the upkeep of the church). For a long time I was very confused as I thought he was talking about those persons frequently mentioned in the Bible readings, the Jews.
Praxis – um, not in Ireland. In fact, I suspect never in Ireland. Envelopes yes though.
Eimear – that’s funny.
Interesting… In fact, the priest who instigated this regime was Irish, but since he was with us for forty years perhaps he’d just adapted to local customs.
Hmm. All sounds v. odd to me…
I suspect the family in question must have made a very large donation to the church every year. My father took very great pleasure in taking umbrage at their preferential treatment.