St. Agnes Church recently joined with ParishPay, LLC to offer an automated giving program for the parish. ParishPay is a nationally respected company that specializes in electronic payment programs for churches and schools. ParishPay allows you to make a regular monthly gift to the parish from your checking account or credit card.
What are the benefits to the parishioner? No more forgetting to bring your envelope to church. No more check writing. For those that give cash no more being caught at mass with a $1 and a $20 wondering which to put in the collection box. Also, if you are unable to join us on a given Sunday because of sickness, weather, or travel you know that you are still doing your part to support your Parish.
What are the benefits to the Parish? The major benefit is that the parish income is more consistent because parishioners make a regular commitment to the parish. It simplifies the effort required to keep accurate records of donations to satisfy IRS requirements and it will provide annual statements to each parishioner.
How does it work? The parishioner enrolls directly with ParishPay using their secure web site. You will be asked to enter the amount that you want to give on a monthly basis. This should equal the amount that you would normally give during the month to the regular weekly offertory plus the amount you would give to the regular monthly offertory. You will be asked if you would like to have your donation debited from your checking/savings account or as a charge to your credit card. You will then be asked to provide the appropriate account number. You will receive an e-mail from ParishPay on the first of each month reminding you of the deduction which will take place on the fifth of the month. The amount of your donation may be changed prior to the fifth.
What does it cost? ParishPay will charge the parish $1 per month per enrollee plus 1% of the total monthly donation that is processed. The Finance Committee has reviewed these costs and found them to be reasonable and easily offset by the anticipated decrease in administration costs and increase in donations that will result from consistent giving. This is the total cost if you have designated your donation as a debit from your checking account. However if you elect to apply it to your credit card then the credit card company will charge the Parish an additional fee of 2 – 3%, further reducing your donation.
Obviously the Parish would prefer that you elect to use your bank debit rather then a credit card. Some folks may be concerned with providing their bank account information, but you should realize that the information required is readily shown on every check that you process.
We will initially use this system for donating to our regular and the parish monthly collections only. You are encouraged to continue donating to the special second collections in the usual manner.
Ready to sign on - go to: www.parishpay.com/customer/donation.asp?id=34031