"It opened my eyes to how financial discipline can lead to financial freedom!"

"I've become more attentive to my wants and needs.  I save now to purchase items not quickly accessible because I've cut up my credit cards."

"Mainly I got a confirmation that owing money is a bad idea.  Paying cash/debit is ideal."

"Realizing why my biggest cash dump monthly was fast food and making changes to see increased savings."

"I'm a new person!  This class really opened up my eyes on what I am spending money on.  I am more aware of where my money is going."

"We eat out less, cook more at home.  We plan more.  We actually have money saved. (This one is big.) We never had money saved."

"I'm paying cash for most things.  Very aware of my budget."

"Attending FPU has really helped me stay on track and be more intentional with my money.  Evan as a refresher, it brought me back to the basics and made/reminded me to know where my money is going.  I've built stronger habits and feel more confident in my financial decisions."

"My life changed for the better after FPU.  FPU helped my husband and I get on the same page when it comes to budgeting, saving, and giving.  I now keep a detailed running tally of my budget spending.  This class helped me realize that I can allocate money into paying off debt and become financially free."

"I no longer live paycheck to paycheck.  In fact, there are times I don't even remember it's payday until I see the deposit in my account."

"Our family and I are debt free and we were able to accomplish this on one income.  This also includes being able to pay off our mortgage."

"It has taught me how to prepare for the adult life.  So that I can enjoy the beginning of adulthood."

"I have hope & peace.  Learn how to get out of debt - made progress."

"Learning how to stay on top for the future."

"You are more aware how you spend your money, wisely or foolishly."

"It has made us more aware of every cent we make and spend.  It has made us think of the BIG picture."

"I am walking away with more knowledge than when I began the course.  It made me realize the mistakes I have made in the past and how to address the issues and the goals that will present themselves."

"I'd want Fr. Tri to know how valuable it is to offer this class.  It is not just about finances, it gives people peace of mind and a sense of control over their future.  It truly makes a difference."

"This is a program that teaches a critical life skill.  Worthy of the pairsh offering scholarships to those that cannot afford to attend."

"I feel like I lack discipline.  Everything in class made sense yet its been hard to apply it 100% to the book.  How can I find help with discipline?"

"This class is AMAZING!  Deacon Andrew is a great teacher with a lot of knowledge and tips."

"This class has value and can change lives."

"Once I have my house finances under control I will increase my contribution to the church."

"This class is a positive reflection on what happens at St. Jude's and he should be knowledgeable about all classes."

"This is an outstanding program that all should benefit from."

"It has changed our family's lives.  I believe that this course could help others and also St. Jude's to have a strong and solid financial future."

"Take this class, it actually helps."

"It's a great class and a judgement free zone."

"This is a class everyone needs to take.  This will help in all aspects in your life."

"This class is so beneficial to me and my family and I hope he will take it so that he will understand how important it is to tell all our friends, family, and fellow parishioners to try this class."

"I'd like Fr. Tri to know that after FPU I started budgeting and giving is the first thing on my budget."

"A person or persons can live a more peaceful life knowing one knows how to use money wisely."

"This has been a helpful class to offer the parish."

"So many people can benefit from FPU.  Younger people can benefit the most."

"I learned to slow down in life and follow the steps, taking one thing at a time.  I am able to better teach my kids how to be financially stable."

"Knowledge is the key to making better financial decisions."

"I would like to see parishes having FPU classes because having finances under control brings peace of mind to parishioners."

"Yes unless you like being poor."

"Yes!  If parishioners don't know how to manage their money how will they be able to donate to the church?"

"Yes, it really gives such a different perspective about our money and how we can better utilize it for us and not for what society thinks."

"Yes.  It is a critical life skill often not taught anywhere else."

"Yes.  Financial stress affects so many people, and this class gives practical tools and hope.  Making it available at all parishes would help more individuals and families built stability and live with less financial stress."

"Yes, absolutely!! FPU could teach parishioners how to be financially stable by planning where their money goes and living within means."

"It should.  IT has useful information for those out of debt and how to stay out of debt.  This is good for the younger people."

"Yes this class can help people of all ages and all financial status."

"Yes, to teach parents how to get out of debt, so that our children can learn to avoid debt."

"Yes, the more people learn how to save money the more they can give back."

"This would bring great blessings to parishes and its parishioners and with that our Catholic Community could bless our surrounding communities and neighbors immensely."

"Not everyone knows how to create a budget, to live within their means, plan savings for retirement, and learn to be generous with their money."

"Yes, it helps empower people to find control in their financial lives."

"Absolutely!  Becoming in charge of your finances allows you to become in control of so much more in your life."

"Although it may take some time to climb out of debt, the benefit would be step nine.  The outrageous generosity could only increase versus what individuals normally have contributed in the past."

"I gained a deeper understanding of investing and long term financial planning.  I also learned about helpful books and resources that continue to guide me on this journey beyond this class."

"Reminders of value and types of insurance and the impact of interest on long term loans."

"I've learned more about my retirement and investments.  My biggest takeaway is once my debt is paid off I need to invest in my retirement, and pay off my house!

"The layers of scams of credit card/loan debts."

"FICO score is totally based on debt (nothing to be proud of); debt consolidation is a terrible idea; most powerful tool is the income; pay smallest amount of debt first."

"I still need assistance/guidance when it comes to investing.  Thanks to Dave Ramsey for sharing his experience."

"How much of an impact financial planning and sense of intention can have on your financial peace."

I learned that budgeting doesn't mean that I can't spend money, it's not a restriction.  Budgeting leads to freedom."

"We didn't know that it was possible to be debt-free and have a bright financial future."

"I have always been told that credit cards are needed and to work on my credit score.  Reality is that it just makes you more into debt."

"Did not know difference about stocks."

"It has shown me a new way to take down debt and take accountability for monthly spending."

"A lot of credit card info and to not get one ever.  It's possible to get around life without needing one."

"How to save, spend, and give.  Goes into detail on each topic."

"I never knew how to budget my money and this class taught me how to budget and also how to give.  Also, I learned a lot about the different types of insurances that I need to have.  Also, learned about how to save for retirement."

"You have nothing to lose and everything to GAIN.  Trust me, you can always learn something new that can benefit your wellbeing."

"Let me tell you what I learned and how it changed my financial situation."

"Are your finances under control?  Have you secured a comfortable retirement?"

"Are you a millionaire?"

"I joined this class with $0 in debt and I was already investing 15% in retirement and I found this class to be exceptionally informative.  It literally changed me and how I manage my money."

"What's your net worth?"

"I'd say that even if you feel confident with your finances, it is a great refresher and helps you stay accountable.  I thought I knew some good information going in, but FPU still gave me new insights and helped me stay focused."

"There's always something new that we can learn.  For our family, it's the best class that we took to find financial peace.  It's been a journey, but it's been absolutely worth it!!!  We paid all of our debt, including credit card debt, mortgage, purchase new vehicles without having to take out a loan.  We don't owe anything to anyone & that has given us financial peace!!!  We're debt free."

"That this is a path to freedom."

"This can only help you."

"This class is an opportunity to learn something new and to grow your money in new ways.  Then you will find happiness by giving."

"Try it.  It is worth it.  It breaks things down.  It shows how to get out of debt and stay out of debt.  Let's you feel free."

"I would attempt to change their mind.  I would also tell them how it has changed my life and the positives."

"You can't afford not to take the class!  You will only regret that you haven't taken it sooner."

"I usually share my experiences."

It depends who you ask.  As a Catholic deacon, I've found that in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, every parish I visit has people who are worried about their finances.  They are living paycheck to paycheck, and many are in debt without realizing their debt keeps increasing.  They have not been taught how to live on a budget, and no one has taken the time to explain how being a good steward requires sacrifice and change.  Too often in our parishes we are told simply to, "give more" without any explanation of how we can donate if we don't have enough to pay our own bills.  

As Catholics, most of us did not grow up with constant encouragement about tithing, we only saw our parents put an offering in the collection from whatever was left in their purse or wallet.  There is a drastic need to get our parishioners out of debt and teach them how to be more generous.  I've found Financial Peace University to be extremely helpful in doing both in a way that is a strong Christian message, and easy to understand.  There are many dioceses across the United States that have successfully incorporated FPU as part of their ministries, and a major part of that success is due to the encouragement of the pastor at the local church.  Every priest I have met who has attended FPU in its entirety, has witnessed the transformative power of financial education on a family.  It improves lives forever.

By the end of the nine weeks, most couples have journeyed from feeling hopeless and helpless to appreciating what they have.  In many relationships, a genuine feeling of gratitude and thanksgiving is experienced for the first time dealing with finances.  It is this spirit of contentment that is transformative on so many levels for a family.  The constant social media comparisons we see can now be dismissed as distractions from being happy with what we have.  Family members participate more in other ministries in the church.  More families become involved with church activities.  In our parish, deacons, religious education director, teachers, administrative assistants, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, and many other church members are the ones who have attended, benefitted, and encouraged others to take the class.

What frustrates me is the hesitation parishes have in implementing and encouraging Financial Peace University to be another vibrant church ministry.  The entire history of the Catholic Church has been to spread the gospel to others through education.  If someone can't read the gospel, how can you expect them to appreciate the word of God?  The answer for centuries has been to go to places and teach people how to read. The Servant of God, Sr. Blandina Segale of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, in 1877 came to Santa Fe, New Mexico to teach.  She ended up going to Albuquerque in 1881 and opened the first public school in the area.  It is her example of trying to improve the lives of the people around her through education that ends up making the town she lives in better for all people.  I pray that parishes will realize that asking for donations without first teaching parishioners how to be financially responsible, is as insulting as giving a bible to someone who can't read.  Financial Peace University is a proven method that works to teach people how to save, spend, and give the way the bible teaches.

Through the intercession of Sr. Blandina Segale, may pastors and decision makers in parishes realize there is hope in education, and may the Holy Spirit inspire them to make decisions to improve the lives of the people they shepherd. Amen

Deacon Andrew