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

"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."

"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."

"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."