At a time when the coronavirus shutdown of public Masses has impacted the offertory collections vital to parish operations, Archbishop Wilton Gregory has launched a parish support initiative to help Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington make online donations directly to their parishes.

In a special video message, Archbishop Gregory said, “In every parish in our archdiocese, the impact of this pandemic has been particularly acute. Our collective mission to spread the Gospel is challenging without a financial lifeline.”

In announcing the initiative, the archbishop said, “I ask today that you join with me in supporting your own parish and perhaps others throughout the archdiocese.”

On April 3, the Archdiocese of Washington's special web page launching the initiative went live at adw.org/parish.

That web page includes text noting: “The parish is the core of Catholic life in our local communities... It is important that our parishes and pastors receive the offertory support they need to remain operational through this time without in-person weekly Masses.” 

Below that are two buttons, one with the option “Give to a parish directly” that lists every parish in the archdiocese with a direct link to the parish's online giving page; or the other with the option “Give to the needy parish fund,” offering a way for donors to make gifts to the parishes most in need due to the pandemic.

In addition to including a list of parishes, that web page also lists Catholic campus ministries at six area universities that people can click on for the link to their online giving pages.

The web page includes the video message from Archbishop Gregory, in which he notes that the coronavirus pandemic “has affected each of us in nearly every aspect of life.”

“Our Church as an integral part of that human family plays a critical role in serving the spiritual needs of God's people, even more so during this time,” the archbishop said.

The archbishop expressed thanks to the priests, deacons, religious, lay ministers and all the faithful who continue to bring God's love to those most in need during the crisis.

In response to public health recommendations from local government leaders regarding the potential spread of the coronavirus, Archbishop Gregory announced that public Masses would not be celebrated in archdiocesan churches for the time being, beginning on March 14.  Catholic schools have also been closed in the archdiocese since then, following directives from government officials. Since then, many parishes have been livestreaming Masses, and Catholic schools have been using online learning with students.

Pastors' insights 

In a Catholic Standard article posted after the coronavirus shutdown of public Masses had begun, pastors noted the importance of the weekly offertory and encouraged online giving or mailing in donations while Masses are not being held.

“The offertory is the lifeblood of every parish,” said Msgr. Charles Antonicelli, the pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Washington, D.C., which was established in 1794 and is the oldest Catholic parish in the federal city. “….All the bills of the parish are paid through the offertory. That’s the main source of income for the parish.”

Like his fellow priests, Msgr. Antonicelli has to face the sadness of not being able to celebrate Mass with his people during this time, but also the worry of how to continue to pay for the parish’s upkeep – not only the utility costs for the church and rectory, and the cost of parish ministries, but also paying the salaries and benefits of parish workers like directors of religious education, music coordinators, housekeepers, cooks and maintenance people. Funds from the offertory collection at parishes also support local Catholic schools.

When public Masses were canceled beginning on March 14, Msgr. Robert Panke, the pastor of St. John Neumann Parish in Gaithersburg, Maryland, was one of many local priests who immediately set to work to find new ways to connect to his parishioners through prayer and outreach.

The priest launched a parish YouTube channel and began live streaming daily Masses from his chapel. The parish also began an outreach effort to deliver food and needed medicines to elderly parishioners and those whose health conditions caused them to be most vulnerable to the virus.

But Msgr. Panke also faced the challenge shared by his fellow parish priests – how to continue their outreach without financial support provided by parishioners in the weekly offertory collections that they normally receive at Saturday vigil and Sunday Masses.

“The work of the church continues, and we have regular bills to pay,” Msgr. Panke said. “The offertory is the key income item on our budget. Without the regular offertory, it will be very difficult to keep things going.”

On March 23, Msgr. Panke wrote a letter to St. John Neumann parishioners that was posted on the parish's website, expressing gratitude for how many have offered to help during the coroanvirus crisis. He noted that on the previous weekend when no public Masses were held there, the parish received $2,300 in checks and $7,100 in online donations, for a total of $9,400, while the parish's 2019-20 budget for each week is $18,000.

Msgr. Panke said he would be working with the parish's finance council to cut costs, and he encouraged parishioners to give what they can at this time, either through online donations or by mailing or dropping off checks.

“I realize that the economic impact will hurt some households greatly, and please know of my prayers and genuine offer of any support the parish can provide for you. Please don’t worry if you can’t contribute.  Trust in God and know of my prayers,” Msgr. Panke wrote, adding, “If you are able to still give any amount, it would be a blessing.”

Parish support initiative underway

Direct mailings and emails have been sent to Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington, encouraging support for local parishes.

In an email interview about the parish support initiative, Joseph Gillmer, the archdiocese's executive director of development, said there is a crucial need now for parish support.

“The parish is the center of the activities of our Catholic faith. It is nothing short of amazing to witness our parishes, schools and ministries find ways to continue the mission of the Church,” he said, adding, “Each of us can make sure the mission carries on by supporting our local parish, as well as others in need through the Needy Parish Fund.” 

Asked about  the financial impact on parishes of not having public Masses during the coronavirus outbreak, Gillmer responded, “While varying in degrees, one thing is certain: It has impacted every single parish. None have been spared the effects of this pandemic.”

Gillmer encouraged local Catholics to “visit adw.org/parish – there you will every parish’s online giving page in the archdiocese to give directly to the parish. Consider making your gift to the parish recurring, so support is uninterrupted, whether by a pandemic, vacation or being out of town on a weekend.”

The archdiocesan official said he is optimistic that local Catholics will unite to support their parishes in the midst of  the coronavirus crisis. 

“We are one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. We are bound together, no matter the distance, by our faith and our mission. We have prevailed over so much adversity in our history because of our ability to unite in faith to face any challenge,” Gillmer said.

He noted that “despite hardship and uncertainty, parishioners are looking for good things to get behind, large and small, to give back for the betterment of others in this time of crisis. Support of the local parish and the Needy Parish Fund are exceptional ways to make a difference.”