Gabriela Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Thank God, I finally live in a place where a priest is willing to come bless my home. But now I don't know if I should bake something for him or offer him some kind of gift of gratitude when he comes. They mentioned making baklava for a home-blessing priest in that movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. But they're Orthodox. Should I make something for/give something to the priest who comes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmaD2006 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 It depends on your relationship with the priest. The priest that blessed my home was a good friend of mine, so I cooked (lasagna using home made meat sauce). He loves Italian food so obviously the lasagna was a hit (he took left overs with him!). In other circumstances you could offer an offering for him (i.e. a monetary gift either cash or a check to the priest himself ... it will always be appreciated unless the priest is a religious order priest -- then you may want to write a check in the name of the community). If I was dealing with a spanish-community priest, I would at a minimum have coffee and things to pick on (like cheese and crackers, salami, etc). So -- again it kind of depends. I would go with what may make sense to you. Or at worst case -- ask the priest himself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiiMichael Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Depends on when he's coming over. Mid-afternoon? Make some cookies (or something of the sort) and coffee. Earlier? Why not ask if he'd like to have lunch? Later in the day? Ask him to dinner. Maybe he'll be too busy and have to pass, but he'll definitely appreciate the gesture. If he has to pass (and you know well enough in advance) make him a cake or a batch of your signature (insert baked good here). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted August 12, 2013 Author Share Posted August 12, 2013 Depends on when he's coming over. Mid-afternoon? Make some cookies (or something of the sort) and coffee. Earlier? Why not ask if he'd like to have lunch? Later in the day? Ask him to dinner. Maybe he'll be too busy and have to pass, but he'll definitely appreciate the gesture. If he has to pass (and you know well enough in advance) make him a cake or a batch of your signature (insert baked good here). Would it be appropriate to have him over for a meal even if I'm a single woman who lives alone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiiMichael Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Would it be appropriate to have him over for a meal even if I'm a single woman who lives alone? Maybe not. The gift plate of baked goods is always a good alternative. Or maybe, instead of giving him anything that day, invite him to a dinner with a bunch of other people, make it a dinner party. I'm just throwing out ideas. I've never really been in this situation, and I've only been Catholic for about 2 years now. I do know that the idea of handing over money or a check feels kinda weird to me. I know it's kinda the norm for weddings (and I assume baptism too, probably), but even that kinda weirds me out a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Would it be appropriate to have him over for a meal even if I'm a single woman who lives alone? You don't have to have him over just one on one. The blessing of your home can and should be a celebration! Why not have a couple of friends over as well and make a dinner? We had my spiritual director come over and bless our house. We had dinner and then he and I went to a Twins game as a thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted August 12, 2013 Author Share Posted August 12, 2013 Maybe not. The gift plate of baked goods is always a good alternative. Or maybe, instead of giving him anything that day, invite him to a dinner with a bunch of other people, make it a dinner party. I'm just throwing out ideas. I've never really been in this situation, and I've only been Catholic for about 2 years now. I do know that the idea of handing over money or a check feels kinda weird to me. I know it's kinda the norm for weddings (and I assume baptism too, probably), but even that kinda weirds me out a bit. I agree with the money bit. It just feels awkward. Like paying someone to bring God into your life. I think the baked goods are a good idea. Thank you for your input! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 I agree with the money bit. It just feels awkward. Like paying someone to bring God into your life. I think the baked goods are a good idea. Thank you for your input! :-) Actually, that's a long-standing theological concept - it's irreverently referred to these days as the Pay To Pray approach. They really ought to keep a price list posted in the vestibule so that folks would know. It would avoid a lot of uncomfortable whispered questions and embarrassed ignorance. The standard (approximate) stole fees (that is, in fact, the correct term) are something like: Wedding $500 (with pre-marital classes) Funeral $300 Baptism $50 House Blessing $25 (This one is a joke - I just threw it in to shake you up, Curiosing!) In most dioceses these days, stole fees go into the parish budget, not into the priest's pocket (although that's where they went for centuries). A house blessing may not have a stole fee, since it doesn't happen in church. But if the priest is wearing a stole during the blessing... BTW, Pay To Pray theology gets translated into a school of parish management called Keep Your Mouth Shut And Your Wallet Open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatholicsAreKewl Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Would it be appropriate to have him over for a meal even if I'm a single woman who lives alone? I wouldn't chance it if you don't know him too well. Some priests get hit on because of their whole married to Christ swagger. It's possible that he'll get the wrong idea if you're not currful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winchester Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Do you bake stuff for the pizza delivery guy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Do you bake stuff for the pizza delivery guy? cookies. But he is also my stepson. Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiiMichael Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Actually, that's a long-standing theological concept - it's irreverently referred to these days as the Pay To Pray approach. They really ought to keep a price list posted in the vestibule so that folks would know. It would avoid a lot of uncomfortable whispered questions and embarrassed ignorance. The standard (approximate) stole fees (that is, in fact, the correct term) are something like: Wedding $500 (with pre-marital classes) Funeral $300 Baptism $50 House Blessing $25 (This one is a joke - I just threw it in to shake you up, Curiosing!) In most dioceses these days, stole fees go into the parish budget, not into the priest's pocket (although that's where they went for centuries). A house blessing may not have a stole fee, since it doesn't happen in church. But if the priest is wearing a stole during the blessing... BTW, Pay To Pray theology gets translated into a school of parish management called Keep Your Mouth Shut And Your Wallet Open. This makes me feel much more comfortable. Since upkeep of the church building is the responsibility of the parish staff (who in turn use the parish budget for that upkeep). There's also a fair amount of behind the scenes work that needs to be done by the parish staff to prepare for those various services. I'm perfectly happy to give a nice gift to a priest for performing those various rites, in addition to paying a "stole fee" to the parish. But it still feels weird to me to sign a check or slip some cash to a priest for doing his priestly duty. :idontknow: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartermia Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 servers at funerals get $5-$20, I am the go to server at my parish and I usually serve the funerals and weddings... go on traditionalist and get mad that a girl is serving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriela Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 go on traditionalist and get mad that a girl is serving Awww, come on, be nice. We might not agree with allowing female servers, but we wouldn't diss you personally for it. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Era Might Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Take him to McDonalds, tell him he can get a happy meal or $2.99 worth of food, whichever is greater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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