Understanding the First and Second Collections

At St John of the Cross Cluster

 What Is the First Collection For?

The First Collection is the regular Sunday offering that supports the daily life and mission of the parish. It is the foundation of parish stewardship.

Canon Law reminds us that “the Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church, so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship, works of the apostolate and charity, and the decent support of ministers” (Canon 222 §1).

Through the First Collection, parishioners help provide for the ordinary, ongoing needs of the Church, including:

• salaries and benefits for parish staff,

• utilities and insurance,

• liturgical supplies,

• ministry programs,

• diocesan assessments,

• and the basic operations that allow our parish to function week after week.

In simple terms, the First Collection keeps the parish running. It allows the doors to open, the lights to stay on, the sacraments to be celebrated, and pastoral care to continue.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops teaches that stewardship is not just fundraising, but a way of life in which disciples “receive God’s gifts gratefully, cherish and tend them responsibly, share them in justice and love, and return them with increase to the Lord.”

The First Collection is therefore not just about money; it is about shared responsibility for worship, service, and evangelization in our community.

Every gift, large or small, supports the heart of parish life. Through the First Collection, we sustain the Church’s mission today while preparing it for tomorrow.

Why We Have Second Collections

Some parishioners have shared concerns that there are many second collections. We understand this, and we are grateful for the honesty. These collections are not meant to burden anyone, but to care responsibly for the life and mission of our parish.

Canon Law also provides that the Church has the right to request from the faithful what is needed to carry out her mission (cf. Canon 1260), and that offerings given for a specific purpose must be used for that purpose (cf. Canon 1267 §3).

Stewardship means recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and that we are entrusted with the care of His house and His people. When we support our parish, we are not only keeping buildings open; we are sustaining worship, formation, and dignity for our community—both now and in the future.

If we take care of the church, our place of worship and the house of God today, we must also take care of our cemetery, our last home, where we honor those who have gone before us in faith. These collections allow us to maintain what we use every week and preserve what we will one day need.

All second collections are registered to the local church where they are received and are used only for the purpose for which they are collected. Your generosity directly supports your worship site and its concrete needs.

Your gift, given prayerfully and according to your ability, helps ensure that our parish remains welcoming, safe, and faithful to its mission.

Our Second Collections Support

• Assistance Fund – Helping parishioners in need.

• Maintenance Fund – Caring for buildings and essential repairs.

• Heating Fund – Keeping our churches usable throughout the seasons.

• Faith Formation – Supporting religious education and spiritual growth.

• Cemetery Upkeep – Preserving our sacred grounds and honoring our loved ones.

Thank you for your continued prayer, participation, and stewardship. Together, we care for God’s house, God’s people, and God’s promise to future generations.