While the church closure has created financial and ministerial challenges, it is also bringing out the best of our priests and parish staff. They continue to be creative in serving those of us who depend on them. Technology has proven to be a strategy to minister to parishioners with live streaming and direct messages to the faithful. In addition, you contact one of the priests or the parish office for pastoral needs, including confession and anointing, or even just for conversation or spiritual support.
The weekly offertory, the primary source of income for most parishes, meeting bottom-line expenses such as electric bills, staffing, and ministry costs has become an immediate challenge. As a result, St. Mary is now looking for online giving and mailed-in donations as a lifeline. In addition, the archdiocese has created an easy-to-use webpage, give.aod.org, that allows gifts to St. Mary or any parish, or for gifts directly to the Archdiocese of Detroit. A few common questions emerged around online giving to the parish offertory. Those questions and answers are listed here.
This secure program works directly with your credit union or bank, in the same way as other electronic funds transfer systems you may already conduct (such as utility bills or your mortgage payment). All transactions are done, electronically, debiting your bank account automatically for the amount to which you have agreed in writing. It is a hassle-free, simple solution for today's busy families.
Once you have set up your electronic donations account, you have the freedom to modify or cancel transactions at any time.
Click HERE for the automatic withdrawal form. The form should be dropped off in the parish office in person, by mail, or by putting it in an envelope in the offertory basket to the attention of Julie Dull. For more information please contact the Parish Office at 734-241-1644.