- Charlie of Umunna -

ON THIS HARVEST MATTER, My personal submission is: Let our harvest celebrations raise resources for building the Church, without diminishing the dignity of the people who constitute the Church. In truth, the current system (though not a nationwide practice) must be reviewed against some very important questions: 1. Are our harvest celebrations bringing people closer to God or gradually making them uncomfortable with the Church?

2. Are we celebrating God's goodness or celebrating how much money we can raise?

3. Can a poor parishioner participate meaningfully in harvest without feeling embarrassed?

4. Have our fundraising methods become more important than the spiritual purpose for which we gather?

5. Do we give sufficient account of the resources realised from our harvest celebrations?

6. Are we building churches with money while neglecting the formation of the people who constitute the Church?

7. If a parish raises millions at harvest but fails to evangelise, catechise, care for the poor and nurture Christian communities, can we genuinely call that a successful harvest? THERE IS A NEED FOR A REVIEW and I think we can do this by shifting a few emphases. Given the current practice, I believe we need to move from: 1. How much money can we raise? To How faithfully can we give thanks to God? 2. Who gave the highest amount? To How can everyone participate meaningfully? 3. Public display of financial commitments to Generosity without compulsion. 4. Financial targets as the measure of success in evangelisation, communion and pastoral impact. 5. Fundraising theatrics to Prayerful thanksgiving and responsible giving. 

Catholic harvest celebrations occupy an important place in the life and development of the Church and this is an absolute truth and I am not sure anyone is calling for their cancellation. However, we cannot downplay that there is an increasing concern that the manner in which some harvest celebrations are organised is gradually undermining their spiritual significance. Ewella, OP.