“For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.” -Thomas Merton
Dust to dust. The season of Lent begins with a reminder that our physical bodies and material worldly resources are temporal. It can be defeating if we allow it to be. It can also be an invitation, however, to allow our souls to be enlivened and awakened to do the most good with the brief time we have. I am dust, but for my brief earthly experience, I can recognize that the spirit of God resides in me and those around me and be overwhelmed with immense gratitude.
There is nothing inherently sinful about possessing an abundance of worldly goods. For these 40 days, Catholics are called to detach themselves from the material and seek spiritual riches. We are not asked to abandon all that we own (bills need to be paid, families need to be provided for, clothes need to be worn), but we are invited to give freely, out of our abundance or our poverty, as a symbol of our true purpose of living as spiritual beings in the image and likeness of God. Almsgiving- the act of sharing money, time or goods with the less fortunate- is a simple Lenten obligation to put into practice. Below are some practical steps to consider this Lent.
- Round up! – Make a commitment to round up to the next dollar for a cause when prompted at the register. These small donations can add up over the course of the Lenten season. Also bring an extra bill to Mass for the second collection.
- Giving Jar- If you are forgoing the drive through coffee, desserts, or other superfluous spending during Lent, throw the few dollars you didn’t spend into a jar. At the end of the Lenten season, collect the money saved to bring to your parish, school or local food pantry.
- Spring Clean-up- Establish a day (or multiple days) as a family to go through closets and storage for anything you no longer need to be holding onto that could benefit others. Bring these items to a local institution which could use them.
- Family Service Day- Donate your time and help teach your children about the value of serving the less fortunate. Reach out to any local service provider that relies on the work of volunteers.
- Friday Nights- Attend a fish fry or pasta feed, perhaps at your own school or parish or do a Lenten tour of different events around town. It makes for a fun night and your donations make a difference.
- Talk Tax- Schedule a visit with your tax professional with the objective of setting an annual philanthropic donation goal.
- Estate Planning- Since you will return to dust one day, make a point during Lent to create or review your estate plan. Consider a percentage to be left to a school or parish after insuring your children are provided for.
- Financial Planning- Discuss methods of giving through non-qualified brokerage accounts, split-interest trusts, or other avenues, including mandatory IRA distributions if you have reached that age. You have a chance to make an impact without depleting retirement savings.
- Reach Out- Make a call to a school or schools served by your home parish. Ask about fiscal year needs and how you may be able to help.
- Recruit- Encourage your peers to make similar commitments. Become a “fisher of men.”
May you experience the Divine this Lenten season.
If you have any questions about fundraising communication or how the Steier Group can help you in your fundraising efforts, please contact me.
