The Sacrament of Baptism calls Catholics to a lifelong vocation of discipleship--to imitate the love of Jesus and share that love with others. By opening our hearts to receive God's gift of love, we begin to love in a way that transcends our human nature. This call to love is not just a feeling of love, but, rather, it is a decision to love. Stewardship is this conversion journey of receiving God's love and returning love to Him and His Church.
As disciples of Christ, we believe stewardship is not just a financial appeal, but rather a call to a way of life. We want to dialogue with God in prayer in order to identify the unique ways in which He has gifted each one of us and discern how He is inviting us to share these gifts. We can then act, making an intentional, planned, and proportionate gift to God and His Church through prayer, service, and tithe—each concrete ways of prioritizing God and His people.
Prayer: We cannot give what we do not have. In order for us to welcome others into the life of the Church, we must first properly order our own spiritual lives. Our time spent in prayer with our Creator is one of the most critical investments we can make.
Tithe & Generosity: What does it mean that as disciples of Christ, everything we own is merely being held in trust from God? Everything is a gift from Him, and recognizing the call to be a good steward of these gifts is all part of our spiritual growth and transformation.
Service: Sharing our gifts, charisms and talents is not about productivity, but rather giving something of ourselves—sharing “who we are” as God created us for the good of others. We become the hands, feet, and face of Christ, reflecting His own humble example of service in the world.
God gives us prayer, service, and tithing to bring us closer to the living Jesus - to enter into deeper communion with Him by extending His mercy to others. By extending His love, we become more and more the person God created us to be and, at the same time, live for His glory.
During the month of October 2023, as we renew our commitment to stewardship, we are asked to respond as disciples, by looking inward and examining our lives, taking time to recognize our gifts, discerning how those gifts may change over time and, in the process, reflecting on how God wants us to use such gifts to become lights of the world (cf. Mt 5:14).
October 1's bulletin will focus entirely on stewardship, offering resources such as:
On October 7/8, commitment cards will be available in the pews at all Masses. Be sure to pick one up for each individual and spend time discerning your commitments. Return them on Commitment Weekend, Oct 28/29 or to the parish office.
After your commitments have been recorded, ministry leaders or staff will reach out about your new or renewed commitments.
"Take, Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my whole will, all that I have and all that I possess. You gave it all to me, Lord; I give it all back to you. Do with it as you will, according to your good pleasure. Give me your love and your grace; for with this I have all that I need." -Prayer of St. Ignatius