St. Mark the Evangelist: A Tithing Parish
"Cast your bread upon the waters." Ecclesiastes 11:1
The word tithe means one-tenth. Tithing is giving back to God something God gave us in the first place. Tithing is not just any tenth; it is the first tenth of what God gives us. It's not just about money, but also means giving one-tenth of ones time and talent. It is a public recognition that all that we have and are comes as free gifts from a God who loves us beyond our imagining.
Too often we delay our charitable giving until we think we can afford it. But nothing can come back to us unless the bread is cast first. Jesus makes it very clear in the Gospels that we must not give out of our surplus alone, but out of our want.
At the recommendation of the Pastoral Advisory Council and Stewardship Commission, beginning the first weekend of July, and every first weekend thereafter, 10% of the Sunday collection will be given to charity.
The Pastoral Staff, Pastoral Advisory Councils and Stewardship Commission will develop a list of charities and charitable causes. The charity and the amount given will be reported in the Sunday Bulletin.
From Fr. Clifford Smith, Pastor St. Mark the Evangelist, Plano, Texas
Click Links for more information about Stewardship
Stewardship Letter from Fr. Cliff
St.Mark the Evangelist, Parish Video
Video de la Parroquia St. Mark
Stewardship A Disciples Response
International Catholic Stewardship Council
United States Council of Catholic Bishops:
Everyday Justice: To Hunger and Thirst for Justice
Called and Gifted for the Third Millennium
St. Mark Strategic Plan: Vision 2015
Plan Estratégico de St. Mark: Visión 2015