Click here to download the eGift Authorization Form.  Complete, place in the collection basket or mail to the rectory--it's that easy!  If you need assistance completing the Authorization Form, please call the Parish Secretary at 860-875-0753 X 100.  If you have additional questions on the eGift option, please email the Finance Council.

Electronic Giving comes to Saint Bernard Church!

We are pleased to announce eGift, an Electronic Giving Offertory Plan.

At the request of several parishioners, your Finance Council has made available an electronic giving option for Saint Bernard Church Parishioners.  This is an automated program that allows you to make contributions without having to lift a pen to write a check or reach into your wallet for cash!

The eGift program provides a way to save time, simplify your life, and support our parish!  The ability to make regular donations through electronic funds transfer (EFT) is convenient and secure for you and is also consistent and reliable for St. Bernard Church.

On a weekly, semi-monthly or monthly schedule you may authorize your offertory donation to be withdrawn from your bank or credit card account automatically. You will continue to receive a year-end statement of your donations for tax purposes from the parish office, and in addition, your bank or credit account statement will provide an additional record of your giving.

Electronic Giving makes life easier for you and benefits our church.

Benefits for You   

The satisfaction of giving to God and supporting your parish regularly.
Easier to manage your stewardship commitment.
Strengthens participation and support in the church.
No need to write checks or bring cash to church.
More secure than cash or checks as it cannot be lost, stolen or destroyed.
Peace-of-mind knowing that the parish is receiving your contribution even if you are out of town or otherwise unable to attend Mass.
IT COSTS YOU NOTHING!    

Benefits for your Parish

Promotes consistent giving.
More predictable cash flow for better planning.
More accurate and automatic contribution records.
Less work for parish office staff.
Secure and easy cash maintenance.

Of course you can cancel or change your authorization of transfer at any time by notifying the parish office in writing, but we believe that once you have enjoyed the convenience and savings of this EFT program, you won't want to go back to the "old-fashioned" way of contributing to our parish!
 

Frequently Asked Questions about eGift

Is eGift secure?
Yes. The eGift process is administered by the St. Bernard Church parish secretary and processed through Vanco Services. Vanco Services is a PCI (Payment Card Industry) Level 1 Compliant Service Provider which means your transactions are handled in accordance with the most rigorous security standards. Electronic giving is safer than using checks.

Can I make a donation using a credit or debit card?
Yes, in addition to checking and savings account withdrawals, you may also use a credit or debit card to make secure donations through the St. Bernard Church eGift program.  It is easy, secure and convenient.

Do I get a receipt?
There is no receipt from the weekly, twice monthly or monthly offertory contribution.  The bank transaction or credit card transaction will appear in your account statement.  You will continue to receive a year-end statement of your donations from the parish office.

Can I make both one-time and recurring transactions?
Yes. In addition to making one-time gifts and payments, you can also make a variety of recurring donation and payment frequencies.  A recurring transaction would be a monthly, semi-monthly or weekly offertory donation.  Special collections or donations in memory of loved ones are examples of one-time donations. 

How do I make a one-time donation?
To make a one-time donation via eGift download and complete the enrollment form.  Write on the form the one time amount and check the reason for the gift.  If you are using the same account or credit/debit card that you are using for offertory, you only need to provide the last four digits of the account number.

Can I use the eGift process to fulfill my Restoration Fund Drive pledge or make a donation to the Angel Fund?
Yes! A separate enrollment form is required for this donation.  On the eGift enrollment form there is a check box for the Restoration Fund Drive or Angel Fund.  Check this box when you complete a second enrollment form. If you are using the same bank account or credit/debit card that you are using for offertory, you only need to provide the last four digits of the account number. 

Will I continue to receive envelopes?
Yes.  We will continue to send you offertory and special occasion envelopes.  You may discard the weekly envelopes or if you prefer to put something in the basket each week, simply write EFT as the amount and turn in the empty envelope.  Once we get the process established we will be offering an option for receiving only special occasion envelopes which will reduce the cost to the parish.

Is there a cost for this service?
No, you will not incur any cost for using this service.  The parish pays a service fee for each transaction, so giving monthly rather than weekly minimizes the cost to the parish.  Credit card processing costs are higher than EFT processing charges, so paying by EFT also minimizes the cost to the parish. 
  

Questions?  Please email the Finance Council with any additional questions.