Connection, empowerment and raffle tickets

ELPING CAN BE FUN. There are so many potential adventures out there. So many people who need a hand but may be a little shy to ask. Maybe they feel unworthy, or unwilling to put anyone to trouble. Maybe they don’t know who to ask.

Recently I have been helping out by selling raffle tickets. I don’t think this is anyone’s favourite job, but you do get to talk to people, and people are always full of surprises.

I am curious as to whether past generations had an easier time selling raffle tickets than today. It seems the majority of people are happier to buy tickets themselves rather than try selling them on. The prizes are there to appeal to an audience outside those who would support the cause regardless, but to reach that audience requires face to face contact, a personal approach, and that seems to be the obstacle.

Some say in this digital age we are disconnected from real people. Although there is so much information washing around us daily, there is less engagement, less attention being paid. It also doesn’t help that there are professional raffle ticket campaigns by charities who cold-call homes on a fairly regular basis. And there is also the deluge of marketing campaigns proclaiming the ubiquitous CHANCE TO WIN!

Underneath all the spin, the main aim is simply to raise money, in this case for training seminarians for the priesthood through the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter. I guess this would come under the precept of contributing to the support of the Church, one of the duties of every Catholic. Almsgiving is more giving to the poor, which is a little different, though mendicant friars would beg alms.

Would it be more difficult to simply ask for help, rather than go to the trouble of arranging kickbacks for the donors? Would God bless the work more if we stopped playing the games and gave disinterestedly? Or are the games part of the work, involving more people in the work of charity?

Please visit fssp.net and consider a donation towards training Australian seminarians. Or share this on social media and you donate more chances of someone else in the network donating.

And Corpus Christi Watershed could always use donations too.