Does God Love a Cheerful Giver?

I've never made a secret of the fact that I was raised in a Catholic orphanage in Hong Kong until I was 2 years old. I can't remember anything much about the orphanage and that's not unusual considering my age at the time. I'm also grateful for the truly wonderful, inspiring and compassionate education I was given by the Sisters of St. Joseph from grades 1 to 7. As a child I gave them alot of trouble by acting out - in return I got nothing but unfailing faith that I would "do much better one day".

I've tried to return some of the good childhood experiences by helping out with accounting services, computer fixups and anything else I could turn my hand to but I must admit it's currently begining to wear thin.

There's this constant expectation that the secular types will do all the giving - especially if it's perceived you have money.

I was setting up a small network for a convent down the coast and a stronger antenna was required for the wireless system. Certainly, I could buy it for them but when it was delivered and installed, there was just an expectation that it would be provided free. Two laptops were required and the nuns wanted this purchased through my company. I was terrified that would not pay (knowing them the way I did) and I voiced my concerns to Sr. M1.

I said, "Look, I'm not willing to put anything on the account that I can't cover myself. There's no gurantee they will repay".

Sr. M1 said, "Well you can afford $2,000 if they don't pay".

Essentially, I don't care how much money gets spent but I do mind when it starts becoming expected. To make matters much worse, I was freely giving of my time and other things in supporting Sr. M1's ministry and was even thinking of moving from Perth to Sydney to assist when she told me that I would have to sign a letter of indemnity so that the congregation could never be sued by me. I can see Jesus asking his followers to sign a letter of indemnity!

In any case I protested. Sr. M1 said, "We have to protect ourselves". Sr. ME also agreed with this stance. Considering the flow of goods and services were going from me to the congregation, it was more appropriate that I would need protection, not them. Considering the current clergy sex scandal, I would like to ask who needs protection from whom?

I said to Sr. M1, "Okay, if I sign your indemnity, will you sign my indemnity?". She was shocked that I would even ask - we could be so happy once I signed your indemnity and you signed mine. How on earth could you work with someone on a voluntary basis when they required "protection"?.

I can see why the good sisters might need some indemnity against a volunteer suing them for services later, but I'm not an idiot and I know that such an action would have a hard time suceeding and would cost more in legal fees than it was worth.

I'm just too scared to go near any of them any more. Sr. DM wants a wireless router so that the internet connection can be shared in their house but again it's a case of you buy the gear and you ask us for the money if you want it. I'd rather avoid this.

I have to say that not all of them are like that but the honorable and moral nuns are thin on the ground. In the end, nuns are just as human as the rest of us and if they can get something for free they won't refuse. I just feel manipulated and I also have the feeling they're congratulating themselves in the process. The letter of indemnity is the real problem; do they only give this to people who they don't think they can't trust or does this go to people they are contemplating fleecing?

Well I've willed all my worldly goods to the congregation because I can't think of anyone better to give it to and I am grateful for the upbringing. They can have my assets when I'm dead - at least I won't have to sign any letters of indemnity!