Why are there second collections? Second collections are a preferred way of many parishes to meet their costs, because they function as miniature appeals that advertise significant but lesser-known costs of parish operations.
Do the Second Collections pay for all the costs labeled on the collection? No. Typically second collections for parish expenses bring in 50% to 70% of the money needed for the category of the collection, like fuel, energy, or grounds care costs.
Are second collections assessed or “taxed” by the Diocese of Burlington? Yes. For all collections taken in a Mass, 6% of the money supports all Diocesan ministries and the Roman Catholic Diocese.
Are collections assessed for anything else? Yes. A general subsidy for our statewide Catholic Schools receives 2.5% of all collections. Also, health insurance benefits for every priest in Vermont are covered from a “pool,” funded by 7% of all collections from all parishes. This benefits system (called simply the Priest’s Benefits Fund) is one way that larger parishes end up supporting the individual priests who work in smaller parishes or impoverished parishes.
Are there special collections that are not assessed? When St. John Vianney Parish’s Development Fund was started, it was exempt from assessments on collections. But now this collection is also assessed for Diocesan ministries, for Vermont Catholic Schools, and for the Priests’ Benefits Fund. By special tradition, the Easter collection is not assessed.
Are “donations” to the parish assessed? No. For any “one time donation” to the parish, it is presumed that the donor’s intention allows 100% of the donation to remain with the parish. This applies for donations for unrestricted purposes, or for those made for special projects or causes. If significant donations like this become “scheduled,” meaning they happen at least once a year and repeat each year, it is our practice to inquire about the donor’s intention.
Can an annual donation be made through a Qualified Charitable Distribution in place of monthly or weekly donations? Yes. This is becoming a preferred way to support parishes for some people due to its convenience for planning. Also, some people can save on taxes when making such donations from a traditional IRA. Here also it is our practice to inquire about the donor’s intention, whether they want the Qualified Charitable Distribution to be considered their “offertory,” meaning the same as if put in monthly and weekly collections. If they are intended as offertory, we apply the assessments as above. If they are intended as an unrestricted parish donation, there is no assessment.