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Ministry is essentially different from secular work, in rationale, motive and reward. If teaching in Catholic Schools is ever reduced to commercial labor, Catholic Schools will cease to exist - as they then should. This does not mean that those who minister there are not entitled to reasonable compensation. But it does mean that the strong-arm tactics of secular labor unions are inappropriate in ministry negotiations.
The logic of protesting by withholding tithes to the parish or gifts to the ADA escapes me. How is the parish or the archdiocese to provide more for the teachers from less funds? The myth is that the archdiocese and the parish are fountains of wealth. The parish and the archdiocese, like the government, are not a separate source of revenue. They simply allocate the funds they receive from you. If the motive for withholding is punitive or vindictive, that is not a Christian response. It is also not Christian to deprive another ministry because you want more for yours.
The Catholic elementary school is a ministry primarily of the parish, not the archdiocese. The role of the archdiocese is to provide coordination and resources to help parishes in this ministry. Although the archdiocese of St. Louis has a serious debt of its own, it has continued to develop programs for financial assistance to parish schools. The "Today and Tomorrow Foundation" begun by Archbishop May has given more than $9 million to Catholic Schools. Last year the ADA gave more than $3.5 million toward the support of Catholic education. Many schools would be forced to close without this support. Ironically, teachers who are boycotting the ADA might be unemployed without its support! Our own parish received a gift of $10,000 from the ADA in 1992 for the repair of our school roof.
Since the parish school is a parish ministry, it is a parish responsibility. It is my responsibility. It is equally your responsibility. We cannot pass the buck to the archdiocese or the archbishop.
The school already gets the lion's share of most parish budgets, often to the detriment of other ministries and responsible maintenance. Every pastor I know is troubled by the meager wages which the parish pays, not only to its teachers, but to all who minister in the parish. Even to the clergy!
The teachers do not need to convince the archbishop that they deserve more. They do not need to convince the pastors that things should be better. They need to convince the people in the pews, which would include themselves. Each of us knows in our heart the answer to this problem. But we are afraid to say it. It is stewardship. Tithing. Our Protestant brethren put us to shame in this matter. Tithing. Ten percent. The first fruits. Off the top. Before taxes. From everyone. Time, talent and treasure.
To those picketing, protesting, and boycotting, the
gospel might say, "Let the one who is tithing cast the first
stone."
Father Earl
ICerl@juno.com
Mon. May 19 - Weekday
(Sir 1:1-10; Mk 9:14-29)
7:00 a.m. The Joseph & Theresa Ziegler Family
8:00 a.m. In Mem. of Frank Seiffert
Tue. May 20 - St. Bernardine of Siena
(Sir 2:1-11; Mk 9:30-37)
8:00 a.m. In Mem. of Mary B. Ziegler
7:00 p.m. In Mem. of Doris Gravagna
Wed. May 21 - Weekday
(Sir 4:11-19; Mk 9:38-40)
7:00 a.m. In Mem. of Art Trost
8:00 a.m. In Mem. of Elsie Tallman
Thr. May 22 - Weekday
(Sir 5:1-8; Mk 9:41-50)
7:00 a.m. In Mem. of Virginia Litzau
8:00 a.m. In Mem. of Clem Vogelgesang
Fri. May 23 - Weekday
(Sir 6:5-17; Mk 10:1-12)
7:00 a.m. In Mem. of Arlene Siebert
8:00 a.m. All Souls in Purgatory
Sat. May 24 - Basilica of St. Francis
(Sir 17:1-5; Mk 10:13-16)
8:00 a.m. Furrer & Little Families
5:00 p.m. In Mem. of Clara Kassebaum
Sun. May 25 - TRINITY SUNDAY
(Deut 4:32-40; Rom 8:14-17; Mt 28:16-20)
7:00 a.m. Priest's Intention
8:30 a.m. In Mem. of Amanda Smith
10:00 a.m. In Mem. of John & Christine Pacheco
11:30 a.m. People of the Parish
Our Lady's Prayer Group, Thursday, 7pm
CHURCH CLEANERS - Fri. May 23 - Lorine Lewandowski, Gail Gross, JoAnn Vergin, Rosemary Popowky
Amount Pledged: $886,105.00
Amount Received: $464,106.58
A New Parish Center is Coming
STEWARDSHIP "There are different gifts but the same spirit; there are different ministries but the same Lord; who accomplishes all of them." 1Cor 12:3-7 Stewardship is the work of the Holy Spirit in us as church.
NOTE: The money counters have asked that you do not staple or tape your Sunday envelopes. Thank you.
Your pledge card for the ADA is available in the back of church. This is an opportunity to help those in need through proven effective programs and to enrich yourself in the process.
NEW SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
The School Board welcomes the new members following recent elections: Theresa Cape, Terri Kamper, and Fred Roberson from I.C. and Carol Browning from St. David. The School Board meets this Monday, May 19th, 7pm.
SOCCER & VOLLEY BALL SIGN-UP TIME
Sing-up will be Tuesday and Wednesday, May 20th and 21st, from 6pm to 8 pm and Sunday, May 18th, from 8am to 1 pm at the Concession Stand. Soccer: Tim Henrion 296-1291; Volleyball: Sandy Sauer 296-6051.
PRO-LIFE'S MOM FOR THE MONTH OF MAY
Sixteen and pregnant. What a scary place to be. May's mom came in to Birthright with a girlfriend. She is too scared to tell her mom because she has already told her if it ever happens she will kick her out of the house. Her mother probably doesn't mean it but its hard to trust in that. Her father who lives nearby is pro-life and she has that option. Obviously she is very sacred. Please pray for her, her child and her parents that they can work this out so that everyone ends up with a LIFE.
OASIS TUTORING IS COMING
This fall, Holy Child School will be joining with OASIS (Older Adult Service and Information System) to bring the OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program to our School! We will be seeking adults, 55 or older to spend one hour a week working one-on-one with a child in our school, grades K-3, to build reading skills, self-esteem, and positive attitudes toward learning. Training provided. No teaching experience required. For information call the school at 296-0055.
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