I must admit,
I haven’t gone to Church in a long time.
I tend to avoid places where I have expressed anger or grief.
But that’s not what this post is about.

This post is about something that made me embarrassed
about the Church we went to today.

It may be hard to believe,
but I do pay attention on the part where we listen to the Gospel
and I try my best to really understand the Sermon afterwards.

I know, right?
For someone who has a very limited attention span, like me.
It may be hard to imagine that I can sit down and concentrate on something
that may be of relevance to my day to day living.
But I do.
And I can.

To be honest, I wait for it.
It’s a continuing education for me.
For my Faith.
For my points of view.

But today,
I was a little disappointed
and let me tell you why.

We all know that the Church will always ask for donations.
It is mostly ran from these funding, contributions and by volunteers.

I know most would argue that the Church has a lot of money,
but trust me, some do struggle.
The Church I used to play at in Ottawa closed down because of financial issues too.

I understand that they have to squeeze in some time
and advertise how much donations they need to ask the people.
They have to make it known as much as they can.
I understand that.
But today,
I felt like it was forced on us.

Right after the Gospel,
the Priest or Pastor is supposed to give out his Sermon.
A little explanation on what The Gospel was about.
A part of the mass where I particularly pay attention to.
Really.

But he didn’t.
Instead, he showed the people a little presentation
on where the money goes into the Diocese.
I really didn’t have any problem with that.
I was expecting he would give a little talk about it and continue on.

But he didn’t.
Instead, they distributed a piece of paper. A form to fill out.
He mentioned that he wants at least one member of each family to pledge a certain amount to it.

I understand, the Diocese need the funding but, come on!
I do not think that is the time to do that.
And to force all of us to do it?
He even made the people fill it out, along with him.
Instructing everyone what to write and how to fill it out.
Even a part where we can put in a Credit Card number.
Are you kidding me?
Put down Credit Card Information?

This went on for a good half hour.
Half an hour! On an hour long Mass.

Notices like these, should have been mentioned, maybe at the end of the mass.
Or posted on bulletin boards.
Or I don’t know, maybe mailed to Parishioners.
And let them read and decide for themselves in the comfort of their own home
with no pressure from anyone.

I don’t know.
Maybe it’s just me.

Maybe I took it a little personal today,
because I haven’t been there in a while
and I was hoping for some solace.
Something to ease a troubled mind.
Someone to tell me it’s going to be alright.

Somehow I hoped to be comforted that all will be well.

But instead,
I was taught that my yearning for guidance
will just have to wait.

Money comes first.