A Note From Our Pastor: November 16, 2025

As was mentioned at several of the Masses this past weekend, this is the time of year when the parishes of the Archdiocese ask the faithful to consider how we contribute to the parish financially. I first want to express my gratitude for all you do to support our church, financially and otherwise.

In a recent letter to you all I pointed out the year-end financial report from the previous year, showing what each of our parishes received from you, as well as how we used the offerings you entrusted to us. Again, thank you.

I now want to share a few words about electronic giving. At our parishes we use a platform called Pushpay. It’s widely used and is recognized nationally as an excellent service for this purpose. So a person might reasonably ask: Why should I give online or electronically, instead of using the traditional method of dropping cash or checks into the collection basket?

Here are four reasons:

1. It’s convenient for a variety of reasons. Pretty much everybody has a cell phone or a computer. But also, For those who like to track their donations, Pushpay enables you to see what you’ve given, directly and immediately, at any time.

2. It’s secure. Let’s be honest, there are risks with just about anything we do that involves the exchange of money, including using checks or perhaps even potentially counterfeit money. I don’t mind sharing with you, that the majority of my personal financial transactions is through electronic platforms (banking, paying bills, purchasing, sending money between friends), whether through my personal PC or my cell phone. Having said that, Pushpay’s track record speaks for itself and gives me reason to feel confident.

3. For those who like to earn points on their credit cards, it gives you that opportunity, unlike a check or cash.

4. For those of you who receive envelopes to use for your financial contributions, switching to electronic giving proves to be less wasteful and saves the parish the additional of having to pay for the envelopes for parishioners.

   
   

Personally, I use Pushpay for my giving to both St. Thomas and St. Philomena. I used it for years before, at my previous parish. It works great.

We’ve put the QR codes just about everywhere, enabling you to access Pushpay’s giving platform through your cell phone. Otherwise, you can access it through our parish website (the “Donate” button). For those who use electronic giving, please don’t feel self-conscious about not putting anything in the collection basket at Mass—it’s trending more and more that way. Finally, let us know if you need help setting it up. We’ll be happy to assist and I’m confident you will find it beneficial, intuitive and easy to use.

Yours in Christ,

Father Todd O. Strange