“Money Matters”

Your council
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Have you ever wondered why the church buildings in Switzerland are so well maintained? Do you ever ask yourself who provides the accommodation and meals for the Priests in Switzerland? And is it not reassuring that at Mass each week there are always sufficient Hosts for Communion, or Candles for the Altar, or Vestments for the Priests and Altar Servers to wear?And for us at the ESRCCB we have a professional pianist accompanying our Choir each week, without which we may not have music at Mass! 

We are likely all familiar with the English saying “Money makes the world go round” and for us Catholics and our Church money too plays an important role. As some attendees at Mass have asked about our collections we just wanted to share with you how the Church and some of our activities are financed in Switzerland (similar in Germany and France). If you are a registered member of the church (only if you register with the Roman Catholic Church in your Canton and not if you register with the ESRCCB) you will pay a minimal % of your taxable income as Church Tax. This income is used to finance the Church and our Priests and ensure sufficient materials for Mass each week.

For us at the ESRCCB we have our weekly collections after Mass. These funds are primarily used to pay for the pianist who accompanies the Choir, drinks and snacks for our Social events and other sundry items such as Website fees, Hymn Books etc. Special collections as part of the Bishops Appeal go directly to the relevant organisation for whom the collection was intended. It is an individual choice to pay church tax or contribute to the weekly collection which in the end also determines what the Church can offer you in return.

In the words of St Francis of Assisi – “it is in giving that we receive”!