[TheZMan]

Am I off-base to question whether the money that went toward this remodeling should’ve gone to feed the poor, the sick, and the hungry?

[TheZMan]

Or perhaps missionary work in other countries. Many good uses for an abundance in the coffers.

[moonhawk]

You would be right in line with Judas Iscariot.

[steve86]

Right, let’s allow our church buildings to fall into disrepair so people like you can get what you want (no more Catholic churches).

Megabucks from the Church already go to feed the poor, the sick, and the hungry

[sockmonkey]

Am I off-base to question whether the money that went toward this remodeling should’ve gone to feed the poor, the sick, and the hungry?

The renovation was likely paid for with donations from Benefactors. Their private donations would have been expressly given for the renovation project..

To take that money and use it for another purpose would be deceptive, and a misuse of money given for the sole intent of the renovation.

[verga]

Am I off-base to question whether the money that went toward this remodeling should’ve gone to feed the poor, the sick, and the hungry?

I believe the Bible has several verses about giving God our First fruits.

[vladimir998]

Completely off-base. No money should have been spent on wreckovating the church in the first place. Every penny spent on restoring it to what its original parishioners DONATED to have it look like is a wise spending of money.

[Mrs. Don-o]

No, I don't think your question is off-base, only maybe it suggests a zero-sum game, where anything given to the beauty of God's house of worship, takes away from charity to the needy: God as rival to the poor.

Actually, I think fervor for "acts of beauty" and "acts of charity" go hand in hand: they spring from the same generous hearts, who truly want to fulfill the Second Great Commandment as well as the First.

Plus, people of modest means give, willingly, for a beautiful sanctuary in which to enshrine God's Word and Sacrament. It's been truly said that St. Patrick's in New York was built by the $5 donations of house maids, cops and taxi drivers. They wanted the best, the most splendid and magnificent, to go to God.

In fact --- do this -- google Venerable "Pierre Toussaint," and read about the Haitian freed slave and hairdresser who help build Old St. Patrick's on Mott Street. He was stylist to some of the most stylish of New York's elite, and he used his earnings in the early 1800's to help other freed slaves, to educate orphans, to care for the sick and homeless, and to raise high the arches of New York's original cathedral on Mott Street. He's a wonderful example of an uncommon "common man" who was delighted to help "God's poor," and delighted to make His altars magnificent.

[aimhigh]

Am I off-base to question whether the money that went toward this remodeling should’ve gone to feed the poor, the sick, and the hungry?

The "church" already does more charity for the poor than all other non-church charities combined.