I realize that it’s a long way off, but I was thinking recently about my family’s Mardi Gras tradition. Every year, someone in the family makes an enormous batch of dough on Fat Tuesday, and then we all gather there that evening,
fry it in chunks, cover them with powdered sugar, and eat so many homemade donuts that we couldn’t break our Ash Wednesday fast the following day even if we wanted to. We call those donuts “Kee-Ka-Lee’s,” and they set the tone for Lent every year. There’s nothing that teaches me the value of fasting like eating until I want to die.

Recent years have given rise to a similar phenomenon in the culture as a whole. As we have witnessed the horrific evolution of Black Friday, as well as the addition of Cyber Monday, people have sought to balance the deluge of
materialistic consumerism with charitable giving. Organizations have taken to promoting the Tuesday after Thanksgiving as “Giving Tuesday” when we give financial support to our favorite causes. After all, what’s the point of trampling over someone to buy a T.V. at a steep discount if one’s conscience won’t let one enjoy it afterwards?
 
In order to give people the option to support their parishes on Giving Tuesday, the Stewardship office downtown has set up the #iGiveCatholic campaign.  A few important points about this campaign: 
 
· All funds raised on Giving Tuesday are not subject to Archdiocesan Assessment (we don’t  pay our usual percentage to the downtown offices).


· Each parish has its own individual cause to help the life of the community.  At St. James, the goal is to purchase new tables and chairs so fellowship events are more inviting and comfortable.  At St. Matthias, your gift will help fund overdue maintenance and needed improvements to the parking lot and street entrance.  At OLR, your gift will provide a final boost of funds so that we can purchase an organ for our music ministry.
 
· If you are unable to give online for any reason, your gift can be dropped off in person on Giving Tuesday at any of the parish offices from 10 AM until 2 PM.  A note - all gifts, whether online or in person, must be made on Giving Tuesday, November 27.
 
· Your gift is a 100% tax deductible donation to your parish and will go towards fulfilling your individual parish goal.  #iGiveCatholic will send you an email confirming your tax deductible gift.
 
Thank you for your continued generous support of your parishes; both financially and by means of your hard work, your time, and your prayers. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to serve these communities, and please be assured of my continued prayers for all of you.
 
God bless,
Fr. McCullough