We frequently ask for help from the parish, and we have always had a great response. Any volunteer knows for which organization the money is being raised, and they have never asked for a "cut". We put announcements in our church bulletins for prize donations and we always get tons of stuff.
Our parish and school want to work together. There is definitely a culture of support that has developed over time. We all share a common goal -to enrich the spirit, whether at school or church.
(Amen, Calvarymom!) My theory as PTO president was always "Ask and you shall receive". Many times people want to help out, but don't know where it's needed. So, if your priest makes a general statement that you could use help or donations, those that want to or can will help.
Our school is Catholic as well, and the school is considered a mission of the church, so many times people will help out even if they don't have children enrolled.
Maybe you could print something in the church bulletin if announcements cause problems. Okay, end of my homily.
Good luck & keep listening to your gut.
Of course you should ask for help during mass! Okay, I'll admit right off that I'm not Catholic and therefore not familiar with your culture. But I do know that, as Christians, we're called to serve and to serve whether anyone else thinks it's a good idea or not! To deny folks from your church a chance to help out is to short change their ability to serve the Lord in a way they might really enjoy. If the good Father puts out the word that help is needed, God will prod those He wants to help. The rest are off the hook and no harm is done. I'm PTA co-chair for a small Christian school and we're on our knees all the time asking God to raise up somebody to help with something. He never fails to suprise us and provide for us.
I wonder if the folks raising the objection are being really honest with themselves about why they have a problem with asking the congregation to help out. Sounds like a false objection to me--something that's safer to say than what they're really thinking.
We are having monthly pancake breakfasts at our parish center. We are lucky to have the breakfast announced at each mass. Though we haven't asked for help from the parish, we have had a great response. If you announce that the money is being raised for a the school people will usually respect that and not ask for a piece of the pie. However if they want a cut, they don't have to help. It becomes there choice. Good Luck!
I understand being a new officer and feeling attacked. Just try to remember that you can't please everyone. And the people complainning are usually the ones that are there to cause problems and don't offer anything to help.
I am a new officer and have been literally attacked already this year by different individuals so I am feeling rather beligerent and on my guard. I have been told that I am too intense and too strong.
Everything that I do, I do for those kids. I want my children to see me involved and interested in what is going on etc, etc.
Anyway to the point--We are going to have a fundraiser, a pancake breakfast. It had been suggested to me that I ask Father to mention after mass not just the event but that we still need food or workers etc.
I had two parents approach me about that saying it was a bad idea for the following reasons.
1. This person thought that it should belong strictly to the parents of the kids in the school and not the general parish because it sounded like begging and was embarrassing.
2. Same thoughts but because if people from the parish were to volunteer, and they were part of something else such as Relig. Ed or the Ladies Group that they would also want a piece of the money.
I would like everyone's viewpoint on this proposal.
