Can someone tell me whether this is true or made up?

[fpb]

From R.J.Neuhaus' column in FIRST THINGS magazine:

A reader tells me that there are more Catholic churches in Las Vegas than casinos. When the offering is received at Mass, it is common for people to put casino chips rather than cash in the baskets. The several parishes send the collected chips to a neighboring Franciscan Monastery, where they are sorted and then cashed in at the casinos they came from. This weekly task is undertaken by those who are called the chip monks.

Comments

[neigedens.livejournal.com]

I don't know about there being more churches there than casinos, but I suppose it kind of makes sense. I have heard of people putting chips in the collection plate, however. People do it out here in churches on the reservations. The priest told me he supposes it's better than people leaving buttons or lint.

I'd love to see that on a tax return, though: "OCCUPATION: CHIP MONK."

[fpb.livejournal.com]

...which raises the issue... do Franciscan friars pay tax?

[neigedens.livejournal.com]

I think there would be more Franciscan monks if they weren't required to.

(And your review is forthcoming. Te prometo.)

Pedantry time - sorry

[fpb.livejournal.com]

There is no such thing as Franciscan "monks," as goreism pointed out. Franciscans, like Dominicans, are "friars". The main difference is that monks are supposed to stay put in one place, living in one monastery under the leadership of an abbot, and have as their primary purpose to work and pray to sanctify themselves; while friars are allowed to move about and have as their primary purpose to preach, evangelize and encourage the laity. There was also the point that friars were supposed to live on others' charity (that is why they are known as mendicant, that is beggars), but that became obsolete long ago.

Re: Pedantry time - sorry

[neigedens.livejournal.com]

The main difference is that monks are supposed to stay put in one place, living in one monastery under the leadership of an abbot, and have as their primary purpose to work and pray to sanctify themselves

...and, in certain cases, count poker chips. That's all very interesting. :)

Re: Pedantry time - sorry

[bufo-viridis.livejournal.com]

Interesting. Always thought that "friar" was a kind of, a bit informal, way of calling a monk. We call them all monks, acknowledgins the differences in the order rules.
BTW, Thomas Merton was a Trappist, wasn't he? He seemed to me as a person with a sense of humour, actually.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

And OT, Briana... unless that was another Briana Rose on the FA exchange thread, you owe me a review. Just thought I'd remind you.