Recently, a new friend of mine lost her father. I had never met him, but wishing to express sympathy in a Catholic way, went to arrange a Mass for him. Signing in and being slightly out of touch with such things, I asked what the normal offering (stipend) was.  The secretary replied, "Anything you want". Naturally, not wanting to appear El Cheapo, I was pretty generous. I attended the Mass. My friend was unable to.  After reading this article I think my  time and my money would have been better spent lending a sympathetic ear to my friend while  breaking bread together at a local restaurant.