Tapestry FAQs
Tapestry is a combination of the giving of Time, Talent, and Treasure.
How can we give from our Time?
St. Brigid of Kildare's numerous ministries create a network of support for our Parishioners that encompass every aspect of Parish life. When a family registers, our New Parishioner Committee welcomes them. Our ministries help with preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, or the Sacrament of the Sick. The Elizabeth Ministry is there to help with birth and child-rearing, often delivering meals or providing a listening ear. The Ministry to the Sick and Bereaved provides invaluable support during the trying times of illness and death. The St. Joseph League provides job counseling to the unemployed. All of these programs are made possible by the Tapestry Program and by Parishioners who are willing to give generously of their time to volunteer in a number of capacities. Download a Volunteer Commitment Card, fill it out and return it to the Parish Office.
How can we give from our Talent?
Every member of St. Brigid of Kildare possesses unique skills and abilities and these are of utmost value to the community. Our ministries and committees are always in need of the wealth of resources our Parishioners can provide. Do you love children, bookkeeping, cooking, decorating, financial planning, organizing events, sports, listening? These are just a few of the talents needed to make St. Brigid of Kildare's committees and ministries a success. Another area where your talents are greatly needed is at the Sunday Liturgy. The Tapestry Program encourages participation at Mass that goes beyond attendance. People are needed to serve as Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Greeters and choir members, instrumentalists and cantors. By becoming an active participant in the Sunday Liturgy, you make the Mass a more meaningful experience for you and those around you. St. Brigid of Kildare Parish has so much to offer the Catholic community. Please continue to stay involved in our Parish ministries, or if you are not, please consider becoming involved. How you choose to give of your time and talent is ultimately connected to the reasons for being in this world. We are given time and talent, not only for our good, but for the good of others. Download a Volunteer Commitment Card, fill it out and return it to the Parish Office.
How can we give from our Treasure?
The Tapestry Program is not an additional request for money; it is merely a more systematic approach to handling the Sunday offertory donations. When the program began in 1998, only 591 out of the 2,500 families were supporting the Parish's financial commitments. At that time, St. Brigid of Kildare had over $7.6 million in debt for the building of the Church and Educational Center. With the encouragement of the Tapestry Program, not only are more families giving, but they are giving more consistently. As a result, the Parish has been able to repay over $4.0 million dollars of debt and working toward retiring its debt by the year 2020. It is the financial commitment of our Parishioners that allows our Parish to plan for the future. Download an Annual Offertory Commitment Card, fill it out and return it to the Parish Office.
How is the money used?
The monies which are pledged to the Parish during the Tapestry Program are also responsible for the operation of Parish ministries, the upkeep of buildings and grounds, and for social activities such as the Sunday Socials and Volunteer Dinner Dance. A predictable giving rate is critical in the Parish's ability to create a realistic annual budget, to plan for the future growth of the Parish and to maintain the ministries vital to our community of faith. This is why we ask you to make a pledge to Tapestry every year.
What are some giving options?
In order to make things convenient for our Parishioners we offer several giving options. The most efficient and most frequently used method is Automatic Withdrawal, which takes your pledge directly from your checking or savings account or allows you to charge it to your credit card. Automatic Withdrawal is easy for you, and it creates significant time and cost savings for the Parish office. The office spends over $8,000 a year in envelope printing and mailing costs and approximately 750 hours annually processing weekly envelopes and bills sent through the "bill me" process. In contrast, office personnel spend about one hour per month processing Automatic Withdrawal offertory items. You can still choose the traditional Sunday envelopes, which are sent to parishioners each month. We also offer a billing option in the form of personalized giving notices on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.