Frequently Asked Questions About pre-authorized giving

To accomplish the mission entrusted to us by Christ, St. John Brébeuf  Parish depends entirely on the generosity of our parishioners. Pre-Authorized Giving allows you to give to your parish intentionally, consistently and faithfully through monthly transfers from your bank account. On or near the 20th day of each month, your account will be debited an amount you specify. These funds are then deposited directly into the parish’s account. 

There are various benefits of participating in PAG, both for you and for St. John Brébeuf Parish.

Advantages for you:

• The convenience of having your offering automatically contributed to the parish
• Knowing you continue to support the parish even when you are away

  Advantage for our Parish

• Regular, dependable contributions to the parish
• Reduction of paperwork
• The ability to more effectively plan parish programs and activities   

First, reflect on all that God has given you, and prayerfully decide how much of this you will return to God through your offering to your parish. Then fill out the form available below and attach a void cheque (write VOID across the cheque and do not sign it). Place the completed form and cheque in an envelope then either place it into the offertory collection at mass, mail the completed form to the parish, or drop it off in person. 

                    
Parish pre-authorized giving programs are supported and encouraged by the Diocese of Hamilton through the Office of Stewardship and Development. For more information, please visit their website. 

To help determine the amount of one’s monthly contribution, multiply your desired weekly offering by the 52 weeks in a year, then divide this annual contribution by 12. Examples are provided below for your reference. 

Weekly Offering              Monthly Offering
$10/week ($520/year)      $43 per month
$20/week ($1040/year)    $86 per month
$40/week ($2080/year)    $173 per month
$50/week ($2600/year)    $216 per month
$100/week ($5200/year)  $433 per month

Note that the amounts above are provided only for example. Our hope is that parishioners will contribute an offering that is meaningful, sacrificial, and that honours the abundance with which the Lord has blessed each of us. 

Please Note: Keep and use your Blue Envelopes for special collections as they are not part of PAG. 

Each year, you may receive a notice from the parish asking you to reconsider if your giving amount is still appropriate. At that time, you may change the amount or stop it all together. 

You may stop your pre-authorized giving by simply writing a letter with 30 days’ notice to the parish office. If you would prefer to use a standardized cancellation form instead of writing a letter, or for more information on your right to cancel your pre-authorized giving agreement, please contact your financial institution or visit the government website.

You have certain recourse rights if ever any debit to your account does not comply with this agreement. For example, you have the right to receive reimbursement for any debit that is not authorized or is not consistent with this pre-authorized giving agreement. To obtain more information on your recourse rights, contact your financial institution or visit the government website.

While your offering will be transferred electronically, the parish will continue to provide envelopes to those who enroll in PAG. You may choose to place an empty envelope into the collection basket as a sign of the gift you are giving to the parish, although this is not necessary. 

Please note that special collections (i.e. Christmas, Share Lent, Seminary Education, etc.) still require that offerings be placed into special envelopes, and will not be processed through pre-authorized giving.  We cannot forget these very important collections. 

In Canada, there are tax credits for donations to registered charities. St. John Brébeuf is a registered charity and we issue tax receipts early February each year - normally by PDF email, but they can be picked up at the office or mailed to you too. 

The following are examples of YOUR tax benefits of donations to our church. To simplify these examples, net savings are shown which include both federal and Ontario credits. 

An annual donation of $500 will give you a tax credit or savings of $117 which means your 'cost' of the donation is $383.

For $1000, the credit is $262, costing $738.

For $1500, the credit isz$407, costing $1093

For $2000, the credit is$522, costing $1478

For $5000, the credit is$1422, costing $3578

For $10,000, the credit is$2872, costing $7128

The formula is: 15% of first $200 ($30) PLUS 29% of remainder.  In certain circumstances, the savings can be up to 33%. Also, Capital Property (stocks, bonds, real-estate), may be donated without attracting capital gains taxes! 

The above are examples only and not tax advice. Please verify your scenario independently and consult with a qualified tax professional. 

More information can be found on the Government of Canada website here.