By Msgr. Noel Burtenshaw

Barry O’Hare and Jack Keefe are new to Atlanta. You might call them two enthusiastic executors. They have come south to execute a plan. And they are really anxious to get going.

“Nothing is accomplished without planning,” says Barry, “and when it comes to parish support and church finances, planning is half the battle.”

And that’s their line of business, helping pastors in the area of parish support. “There is only one way to get the people’s financial support,” says Jack Keefe. “You have to ask. But before you do, you have to plan how. That’s where we can guide.” Obviously these executors are as good as their word.

Barry and Jack are members of the Martin J. Moran Company. They are in town at the invitation of Archbishop Donnellan to speak to a number of parishes about parish financial support. They are here to help, to offer their experience and develop a plan of financial action for the parishes.

On an average, what do Catholics give each week to their parish? “You have to be careful here,” says Barry O’Hare. “Not every Catholic family going to Mass each Sunday supports the Church, but when you take into account all attending Mass on Sunday the average given nationally is only two dollars. I’m sorry, but that’s what it is. Two bucks.”

Why so low? “Easy,” they both respond. “The people are not educated and then they are not ASKED. Ask them. You have to ask them.”

Both of these expert financial advisers, who are well known for their successful efforts throughout the nation, believe first in parish planning and then people planning. “Just as we have to budget for our monthly expenses in the home we should be prepared to budget for our church. And furthermore the church should be in there along with the heat, light and mortgage. Plan what we give is the only way.”

Another key point that these enthusiastic men of money want to make is STEWARDSHIP. “Time, talent, and treasure,” says Jack Keefe with pounding emphasis. “Hammer it home. God gives us these gifts and talents to use and return to him. From the pulpit the pastor must say it loud and clear. It is an integral part of the education process. Be a good Steward.”

The generosity of Catholic people throughout the history of the Church in the United States is not forgotten by these money experts. They point out the glories of the Catholic school system and the social services extended to our people over the years. “But we still have not gotten the point across like our Protestant brethren,” says Barry. “They have gloriously given the education based on the valid and productive Biblical dogma of tithing. We have not.”

One other point made by our two financial experts is motivation. “We really have no history of good motivation,” says Jack Keefe. “In the old country the government took care of many community needs. Here very often the parish must do it without any governmental help. That can be a good motivation for parish giving.”

Barry and Jack have had many happy moments in lots of Catholic parishes bringing the message of their plan. They look forward to a successful mission in Atlanta. If enthusiasm is the key ingredient then the path will be an easy one for these money men. They have it.