Giving

There are many ways that you can help enable the liturgical, sacramental, pastoral and charitable works of our parish. One way is to contribute to our parish planned giving program via the two collections at Sunday Mass (see below for an explanation on how your giving is used). If you would like to utilise traditional planned giving envelopes, contact the parish office and we will organise your envelopes.

However, as we move more and more into a cashless society, many parishioners prefer to contribute to parish planned giving electronically. If this sounds more like you, we have created easy two options below for you to join our electronic parish planned giving program. 

Electronic parish planned giving

Option 1—Catholic Development Fund online form

The easiest way to join our parish planned giving program electronically is to fill out the online form on the diocesan website authorising the diocese’s Catholic Development Fund to direct debit the money from your bank account as per the amount and frequency you desire.

Option 2—Create your own recurring payment via internet banking

Many parishioners are well versed these days on internet banking and would prefer to set up their own recurring payment to the parish planned giving program via their internet banking account. If this sounds like you, see our parish bank account details below. If you would like to split your planned giving into a first and second collection amount, you will need to set up two recurring payments as there are two bank accounts. Please note, if you are an existing giver using envelopes, please record your envelope number in the description field when setting up your internet banking payment.

First collection
Account name: Macquarie Fields Presbyter
BSB: 066711
Account number: 001737

Second collection
Account name: Macquarie Fields Parish
BSB: 066711
Account number: 001737

How is your planned giving used?

Our parish is dependent on the generosity of its parishioners to sustain itself and its many charitable and pastoral works. Generally, this support is through two collections at each Sunday Mass.

First collection—for our priest

Historically, these have been funds for the parish priest to use as an allowance for his financial livelihood, a stipend (small salary) for the assistant priest(s), their weekly sustenance needs and a modest wage for a house keeper. After the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s, dioceses were encouraged to establish a central fund to which the proceeds of each parish’s first collection (less their deductions for sustenance needs) was directed and from which stipends were then paid according to an equitable arrangement.
In 1984, a central fund known as the Clergy Remuneration Fund was established.

Today, this fund provides for a priest’s:

  • Monthly stipend
  • Private health insurance
  • Superannuation contribution

… which, altogether is comparable to the value of the aged pension. This fund also provides a co-contribution towards the financial support of a priest who is on light duties due to ill health or who has retired.

Second collection—for our parish community

Planned Giving (which comprises envelopes and direct debits) and any loose cash donated at this collection are banked into the parish account which is overseen by our Parish Finance Council. The many costs of running our parish are deducted from this account. Some of the expenses covered include:

  • Parish operating costs such as insurance, utilities, telecommunications, general maintenance and upkeep of the church, presbytery, buildings and parish property
  • Any loan debt servicing for parish buildings
  • Parish pastoral programs
  • Parish staff salaries including superannuation
  • Car expenses for the priest in the parish
  • A Cathedraticum (contribution) to the bishop towards the costs of running the diocese (10%).

After the end of each calendar year, an external auditor reviews the parish accounts. A copy of the auditor’s report is given to the diocese, the Parish Finance Council and is made available to parishioners.