How Much $$ Should We Donate To The Church For DD's Baptism?

[Disneylvr]

DD is finally getting baptized this Sunday after 11am Mass. I am not Catholic but DH is and we plan to raise Madelyn Catholic as well. However, I have no idea how much we should give the Church for the baptism and DH is no help at all. The video we watched suggested the amount be equal to a Sunday meal out??? Is $50 too little? That is about how much a nice Sunday meal would be for our small family of 3.

 

[Ella2]

Wow, in my church (Lutheran) we didn't pay anything for baptism? It was just part of the normal service, and we gave a normal offering.

Perhaps some other Catholics can help you with this one.

 

[annamonte]

We gave a "donation" to the Church of $50.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I think it may depend upon the culture and tradition of your particular church.

We donated $375 for our last child. We also had just received a sum of money and was going to donate a portion of that anyway. We just took the chance to roll it into that giving. I think that in our church $100 - $300 is more common and I know of a couple of families that were not in the position to donate at all -- and that was ok also.

 

[Tigger9]

I thought it was customary for the GodFather to make a donation to the church, not the parents, anyone else hear this?

I would say $50-$75

 

[ckmommy]

I gave the pastor $50 in a card for baby #2. For baby #1 we were told to get the priest (only child baptized catholic) a gift cert. to Olive Garden. For the twins, it was $100 in a card. I had never known that you had to pay for a baptism either. I think it is more of a thank you gift to the pastor or priest!

 

[kadaten]

We gave our priest $50 in a card, as well as brought him a dessert for his Christmas dinner with his mom (DS was baptized Christmas Eve). Not sure if he donated it, but we did start getting requests from Catholic charities soon after. We gave the priest $50 at our DD's Baptism and it was donated to his favorite charity...same thing with the $100 we gave the priest for performing our wedding. Three different priests, three different parishes.

I always thought Baptism was part of being in the church community, and so did not give anything extra to the church. However, it was always done on the priest's usual "time off", not during a regular Mass, so I paid them for their time and effort, even though it was not expected.

Just what I did...whatever you decide to do will be appreciated, no matter how big or small.

 

[CEDmom]

I'm not Catholic either but DH is and that's is what we baptized DD. When we went to the required baptismal class with her godparents it was spelled out that this was something the godparents were supposed to take care of. I know DD's godfather did give something and DH gave $50 as well in memory of both our fathers.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We gave $200.00 per child.

 

[Disneylvr]

I should of been more clear, I meant how much should we donate to the church for the baptism. The video was clear to say that nothing was expected, but if you could afford to, a donation equal to a nice Sunday meal was typical. The class (led by a Sister) nor the video made mention of the Godparents making a donation. I live in a middle to lower middle income parish so I think perhaps $50-75 is probably more common than $100-$300??? Should I give the priest cash or a check made out to the church??? I apologize for sounding so stupid but I am not familiar with child baptisms and what is considered appropriate.

 

[princess lovers mom]

WOW, I never thought of having to pay for the baptism especially if it is done during a service...I understand paying for a wedding as it is on the "off" time of the pastor/organist/sexton etc...

as a member of my Church's finance committee I would say that we would rather that you join the Churcjh and make an annual pledge for regular giving to help with expenses throughout the year...

...If this is a Church that you are not joining ask the office manager if there are set fees for weddings etc that may give you a better idea

 

[Disneylvr]

We are members of the Church, well at least DH and DD are but I am a non-Catholic and am not sure if I am considered a real member. We make do regular donations when we attend Mass. Madelyn's baptism is not taking place during the regular Mass. It will be a separate ceremony after the 11am Mass.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I live in a middle to lower middle income parish so I think perhaps $50-75 is probably more common than $100-$300??? Should I give the priest cash or a check made out to the church???

I understand why you are asking completely. I asked the same questions - although we are Methodist. I was always told that our church would never charge anybody to do a Baptism -- it is considered a privelage to welcome a child into the family of God. That being said, Churches rely upon the donations of its members to pay the bills and nobody is going to turn down a donation if you want to make one. :lol

I have always put a check into a Thank You or other "Nice" card and given it to the Pastor at the end of the Service.

I think $50 to $75 is just fine. I used to volunteer and post checks once a month for our church and I can tell you donations came in all kinds of sizes and nobody ever thought twice about it.

 

[CEDmom]

I don't know what DD's godfather did as far as check or cash but he and DH eac handed the priest an envelope after DD's baptism. Her's was also after the regular 11am mass. DH made the check out to the church and it was included in our annual giving statement at the end of the year. I remember our talking about giving $50 so that's what I think he gave. I'd imagine DD's godfather gave the same. It's a donation though, it's not required.

 

[beattyfamily]

We donated, not paid, for our DD's baptism too. We gave the Church $50 and then also gave the Priest $50. He was VERY appreciative and sent us a Thank You card.

I have a question, though, that is along similar lines...what about First Communion? I thought we should give something and my DH says no. We're not sure if this would be considered the same as a Baptism?????

 

[mickeyboat]

I tried to give our priest $50 after DD's baptism. He told me to keep it and save it for the baby.

Denae