Stewardship
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Stewardship January 2016
News
A New Year, New Beginnings for the Christian Steward
Office of Stewardship and Development
• A New Year, New Beginnings for the Christian Steward Many good stewards take advantage of this time of year to become closer to the Lord by making New Year’s resolutions. If you are looking for some ideas for your New Year’s resolutions, here are a few to get you started.
• Top 10 tips for bringing greater joy in your life In an interview, Pope Francis listed his Top 10 tips for bringing greater joy to one’s life. Rev. Phil Shangraw provides additional commentary to those 10 tips for living in a new and more abundant way.
Source: ICSC E-Newsletter
The practice of making New Year’s resolutions goes back over 3000 years. The start of a New Year gives us the feeling of a fresh start, a new beginning, and new opportunities. It is a time when people feel that they can begin anew with their lives. Common New Year’s resolutions are to lose weight, exercise more and eat healthier; or to spend more time with family. Still others include managing money better and being more organized.
• Have a Stewardship “Epiphany” this New Year We can all find symbolic meanings in the magi’s gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure. As we begin this New Year, take a moment to reflect on your place in the Epiphany narrative. Are you willing to undertake the journey to find the King? What treasure’s will you offer him in 2016?
• A Stewardship Prayer for the New Year
Although there is nothing in the Bible or notable in Christian tradition about New Year’s resolutions, many good stewards take advantage of this time of year to become closer to the Lord. They may re-commit themselves to pray more, to read the Bible, or to attend Mass more regularly. If you are looking for some ideas for your New Year’s resolutions, here are a few to get you started: Practice gratitude – Cultivating a grateful heart is the hallmark of a Christian steward. Every day, express thankfulness to the Lord and to others. Encounter the Lord each day – Find time to be with the Lord each day, whether it be for an hour or ten minutes. Have a conversation with the Lord. Give your joys and worries to Him as well. Allow God’s love to transform them. Our encounters will keep our eyes and ears open to the presence of Christ in our midst. Be present to others – There is much celebration and mourning, joy and sorrow in peoples’ lives. What a blessing it is to be able to share those times and not let others experience them alone. The gift of your presence to others is much more valuable than you realize. continued on page 2
• Stewardship Reflections for The Feast of the Epiphany Another wonderful season of Advent and Christmas has come and gone. But we still have another big feast to celebrate – Epiphany. Help parishioners better appreciate this great feast with Epiphany reflections in your parish bulletin
• Stewardship – Time, Talent, Treasure We are called to a continual deepening of our faith personally and with our community. As a New Year unfolds, before you make your New Year’s resolutions, reflect on these questions to help become a better steward in 2016.
• Stewardship - we are gifted to make a difference We are gifted with abundance in our lives. Giving back is a true and pure expression of our faith that makes a difference in the lives of the people in this community and surrounding areas.
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 2
Resist overwork – There is a pressure to produce, meet goals, be successful. But activities that lead us to overwork, constant fatigue and worry do not give glory to God. What God calls us to do we can do well. Be mindful that life requires balance, down time and letting go of unrealistic goals. Nurture friendships – Our friends are those we choose to be with, those with whom we spend our evenings, with whom we vacation, to whom we go to for advice. Friends are gifts from God who give us a greater appreciation of God’s love for us. Friends need our time and love. Give more – Good stewards realize that everything they have is entrusted to them as a gift to be shared. There is no better place to begin than sharing with the community that gathers around the Lord’s table at Mass. Consider what you are giving to your parish and local diocese and commit to an even greater contribution as circumstances allow. Make a difference in your parish community – Believe it or not, your parish community can use your talents. Offering your talents to your faith community is one of the most effective ways to feel useful and connected to others, and it is a potentially life-changing New Year’s resolution. Consider living more simply – We cannot find fulfillment in possessions. They add nothing to our self-worth. Jesus blessed the “poor in spirit” in his Sermon on the Mount; and Saint Francis of Assisi urged us to live with only what was necessary, for that is how we begin to find God. Get healthy – Studies show that most people in North America are accelerating their own decline into premature old age, owing to poor diet and lack of physical activity. Be a good steward of your body. If necessary, plan a complete overhaul of your diet and exercise habits. Don’t give up – People give up their New Year’s resolutions because of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations. So take it slow, be kind to yourself and keep trying. Resist the urge to throw your hands up and quit. You succeed through small, manageable changes over time. Turn to the Lord – Ask the Lord for guidance, strength and perseverance in achieving your resolutions. In his letter to the Philippians, Saint Paul writes: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13). If God is the center of our New Year’s resolutions, they have a better chance for success.
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 3
Top 10 tips for bringing greater joy into your stewardship way of living Adapted: Rev. Phil Shangraw – Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI
In a homily I gave, I noted 10 ways of responding to God’s invitation to live in a new and more abundant way. These 10 ways were based on an interview with Pope Francis published in part in the Argentine weekly “Viva” July 27, 2014. There the Pope listed his Top 10 tips for bringing greater joy to one’s life. What follows are his tips printed in bold letters. What appears following each tip is my commentary.
1. 2.
Live and Let Live: after all, everyone is invited to the banquet, not just Roman Catholics, not just Christians. Be giving of ourselves to others: Like people who exercise on a regular basis we become stronger and healthier the more we practice, practice, practice. And what do we practice? Love, that is, treating people with dignity and respect even if we don’t like them. Please refer back to #1.
3. Proceed calmly. Be like an inviting pool of water that scares no one. Be kind and be humble. 4. Practice a healthy sense of leisure. Life is not all work. Enjoy the arts, literature, and playing with
5.
children. Take a walk along the river or on the beach.
Keep Sundays as holydays. If not on Sunday itself, well, then make at least 1/7 of your waking hours holy. Take time to notice God’s Work, what God is doing in life and in the world; The beauty, the grace, the forgiveness and reconciliation. The world is in desperate need of people who are more aware of grace than they are of evil. Take note of goodness.
6. Be creative with young people. If you have a business hire some. If you don’t than teach them
something beneficial. Young people are able to teach us baby-boomers a thing or two about modern technology and social media. But what is it that we, in turn, teach them? After all, there is more to life than virtual friends and a computer screen. Show young people how to live well with others. To be accepting of themselves, what they like and what they don’t like about themselves.
7. Respect and take care nature. This is a beautiful month. It reminds us of both the beauty and fragileness of life and of the environment. Take care of nature.
8. Stop being negative. 9. Don’t proselytize. Don’t fight by hurling dogmatic points or quoting the bible to win an argument.
Be the bible. Like Pope Frances - he is the new evangelization. People around the world see him an embodiment of what they admire in Christ, just as they did with Mother Theresa. Just so, the only bible that most people will read or care about is your life. Make those words of Scripture come alive.
10. And finally, Work for Peace. Recognize that we are a global community. We are family. Take care of
each other proactively and dynamically.
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 4
Have a Stewardship “Epiphany” this New Year Rev. Msgr. Leo J. Enlow – St. Peter Catholic Church, Quincy, IL
Another Christmas has come and gone, and as wonderful as the Advent season and Christmas are, things can get a little hectic in even the most organized households. Cards, decorations, shopping for gifts, and attending holiday parties can be stressful. But once we make it past New Year’s Day, things finally settle down a bit. In January, though, we still have another big feast to celebrate —Epiphany. For most of us, Epiphany is just an afterthought of Christmas, the day we observe the arrival of the wisemen in Bethlehem. And we’ve all heard homilies explaining how that odd word Epiphany comes from the Greek meaning “showing forth,” because the child Jesus was shown forth to the magi (who were Gentiles) as the Savior of all people, not only the Messiah of the Jews. This is true, but the Epiphany has a stewardship message for us as well. After all, the magi did not come just to gawk at the baby Jesus. They came because they knew he is someone special. “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” they asked (Mt 2:2), although he’s not the sort of king who lives in palaces. As St. Matthew relates it (2:11), “They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” They came to worship, and part of that worship included offering gifts to the newborn Lord. Jesus certainly welcomes all who come to visit him, even those who come out of mere curiosity. But when we really meet him, our instinctive response is to worship because we recognize that his character is unlike anyone else we’ve ever met. Although Jesus, being God become man, is not limited, for most of us our meetings with him take place at Mass or other public services. But meeting Jesus and worshiping him calls forth an additional response, and so we, along with the wise men, open our treasures. And what are they? They are our Time, our Talent, and our Treasure. We can all find symbolic meanings in the magi’s gifts. Gold, of course, represents Treasure. And because even today, frankincense is the chief ingredient in the incense used at Mass, it can stand for the gift of the Time we offer in worship and prayer. Finally, it takes effort and knowledge to transform the raw gum from tree sap into the forms used in perfumes, myrrh is a fitting symbol for our gift of Talent. As we begin this New Year, let us take a moment to reflect on our place in the Epiphany narrative.
Are you willing to undertake the journey to find the King? What treasures will you offer him in 2016?
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 5
Stewardship Prayer for the New Year Source: ICSC
Lord of new life, Thank you for the gift of a new year. You have entrusted us with the coming days, weeks and months as stewards of your divine plan; to live in gratitude, joy, and an ever growing confidence in your Kingdom to come. We ask for the humility to reform our lives; the courage to commit ourselves to you no matter the cost; and the wisdom to shine the light of faith on others. Open our hearts, give us your Spirit and show us how to share your love so that we may bring hope to a world in need of your justice and peace. We pray to be a sign of your grace in this new year through your son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 6
Stewardship Reflections for The Feast of the Epiphany The famous Christmas story of the visit of the magi to the baby Jesus is foretold in Psalm 72, which reveals how all nations will pay homage and pledge to serve him. We too are invited to hear the Good News of our Savior and use the gifts given to us in service to the Lord. At the beginning of this New Year it is appropriate to ask: Will we accept the Lord’s invitation to embrace His Gospel more fervently? What is it that we will do to serve the Lord more faithfully this year? How will we exercise stewardship over our own gifts to proclaim the good News? St. Thomas Aquinas Parish – College Station, TX
The wise men were seeking to pay homage to a king whose coming had been foretold. They honored our Lord with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We too can honor Christ by the way we steward the gifts of our lives, our possessions, and our faith. These gifts are provided, not only for our own benefit, but also for the good of others through sharing, especially with the poor and the marginalized. When we give generously we pay homage to the King of Kings. Stewardship office, The Archdiocese of Winnipeg,
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 7
Stewardship – Time, Talent, Treasure Source: Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, VT
Stewardship is a way of life expressing thanks through prayer, worship, sacrifice for the gifts God has given, and the action of using our time, talents and treasure to strengthen our Church and the community around us. We are called to do something extra, take time to learn, and grow more in our faith and with our community. At the end of each Mass we are instructed to “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,” to live our mission of evangelization. This week why not invite a friend to church, listen more closely to what is going on at Mass, spend some extra time in prayer, or participate as a lector or server.
Reflection Questions How do I feel I have been a steward in my daily living, in prayer, at work, at mass? What gifts, talents, strengths has God given me? Do I use them to help those around me? What can I do to become a better steward? How do I see Jesus as a model for good stewardship? How does this compare to my own life? What am I willing to sacrifice to become a better steward? How can I help others use the gifts they have to become better stewards and continue to improve our community? Lord, help us become the best stewards through prayer, worship, and sacrifice. Help us to be true disciples in praise to you, as a model for your love, and in our service to others. Amen
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 8
Stewardship – Gifted to make a difference St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church - Pleasanton, CA
When you give, you make a difference in the lives of the people in this community and surrounding areas. Together we help to make our parish a vibrant place to worship, encourage spiritual growth and extend support to neighbors in need.
We praise God for the gifts and abundance in our lives.
John 3:27 “No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven.” • We believe that all we have and all that we are come from God and that we are truly blessed. • We believe that God loves us and in his covenant he will take care of us. • We believe that we have a tremendous responsibility to be good stewards of his gifts.
We are called to give a portion of our gifts back to God in gratitude. Luke 6:38 “Give and gifts will be given to you.”
• As Catholics we demonstrate our gratitude by giving back to the community and the Church. • Giving is true expression of our faith, we believe that when we give in the spirit of love, God will return the gift abundantly. • Stewardship requires that we give in a purposeful, planned and conscientiously manner, out of our first fruits and not just from excess.
By giving back we are helping the community in which we live.
Matthew 25:40 “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” • Jesus tasks us with the responsibility to care of others by sharing our gifts. • Our gifts are a legacy and our investment in the future of our parish, and our joy is multiplied when it is divided among others. • We are not isolated individuals; we are members in a community in which we should treat others as family. As members of this Catholic family we share in a pride of ownership in our parish. With this commitment, when we enter the church we feel like we are walking into an extension of our home and family.
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
Stewardship January 2016
News
A New Year, New Beginnings for the Christian Steward
Office of Stewardship and Development
• A New Year, New Beginnings for the Christian Steward Many good stewards take advantage of this time of year to become closer to the Lord by making New Year’s resolutions. If you are looking for some ideas for your New Year’s resolutions, here are a few to get you started.
• Top 10 tips for bringing greater joy in your life In an interview, Pope Francis listed his Top 10 tips for bringing greater joy to one’s life. Rev. Phil Shangraw provides additional commentary to those 10 tips for living in a new and more abundant way.
Source: ICSC E-Newsletter
The practice of making New Year’s resolutions goes back over 3000 years. The start of a New Year gives us the feeling of a fresh start, a new beginning, and new opportunities. It is a time when people feel that they can begin anew with their lives. Common New Year’s resolutions are to lose weight, exercise more and eat healthier; or to spend more time with family. Still others include managing money better and being more organized.
• Have a Stewardship “Epiphany” this New Year We can all find symbolic meanings in the magi’s gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure. As we begin this New Year, take a moment to reflect on your place in the Epiphany narrative. Are you willing to undertake the journey to find the King? What treasure’s will you offer him in 2016?
• A Stewardship Prayer for the New Year
Although there is nothing in the Bible or notable in Christian tradition about New Year’s resolutions, many good stewards take advantage of this time of year to become closer to the Lord. They may re-commit themselves to pray more, to read the Bible, or to attend Mass more regularly. If you are looking for some ideas for your New Year’s resolutions, here are a few to get you started: Practice gratitude – Cultivating a grateful heart is the hallmark of a Christian steward. Every day, express thankfulness to the Lord and to others. Encounter the Lord each day – Find time to be with the Lord each day, whether it be for an hour or ten minutes. Have a conversation with the Lord. Give your joys and worries to Him as well. Allow God’s love to transform them. Our encounters will keep our eyes and ears open to the presence of Christ in our midst. Be present to others – There is much celebration and mourning, joy and sorrow in peoples’ lives. What a blessing it is to be able to share those times and not let others experience them alone. The gift of your presence to others is much more valuable than you realize. continued on page 2
• Stewardship Reflections for The Feast of the Epiphany Another wonderful season of Advent and Christmas has come and gone. But we still have another big feast to celebrate – Epiphany. Help parishioners better appreciate this great feast with Epiphany reflections in your parish bulletin
• Stewardship – Time, Talent, Treasure We are called to a continual deepening of our faith personally and with our community. As a New Year unfolds, before you make your New Year’s resolutions, reflect on these questions to help become a better steward in 2016.
• Stewardship - we are gifted to make a difference We are gifted with abundance in our lives. Giving back is a true and pure expression of our faith that makes a difference in the lives of the people in this community and surrounding areas.
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 2
Resist overwork – There is a pressure to produce, meet goals, be successful. But activities that lead us to overwork, constant fatigue and worry do not give glory to God. What God calls us to do we can do well. Be mindful that life requires balance, down time and letting go of unrealistic goals. Nurture friendships – Our friends are those we choose to be with, those with whom we spend our evenings, with whom we vacation, to whom we go to for advice. Friends are gifts from God who give us a greater appreciation of God’s love for us. Friends need our time and love. Give more – Good stewards realize that everything they have is entrusted to them as a gift to be shared. There is no better place to begin than sharing with the community that gathers around the Lord’s table at Mass. Consider what you are giving to your parish and local diocese and commit to an even greater contribution as circumstances allow. Make a difference in your parish community – Believe it or not, your parish community can use your talents. Offering your talents to your faith community is one of the most effective ways to feel useful and connected to others, and it is a potentially life-changing New Year’s resolution. Consider living more simply – We cannot find fulfillment in possessions. They add nothing to our self-worth. Jesus blessed the “poor in spirit” in his Sermon on the Mount; and Saint Francis of Assisi urged us to live with only what was necessary, for that is how we begin to find God. Get healthy – Studies show that most people in North America are accelerating their own decline into premature old age, owing to poor diet and lack of physical activity. Be a good steward of your body. If necessary, plan a complete overhaul of your diet and exercise habits. Don’t give up – People give up their New Year’s resolutions because of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations. So take it slow, be kind to yourself and keep trying. Resist the urge to throw your hands up and quit. You succeed through small, manageable changes over time. Turn to the Lord – Ask the Lord for guidance, strength and perseverance in achieving your resolutions. In his letter to the Philippians, Saint Paul writes: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13). If God is the center of our New Year’s resolutions, they have a better chance for success.
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 3
Top 10 tips for bringing greater joy into your stewardship way of living Adapted: Rev. Phil Shangraw – Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI
In a homily I gave, I noted 10 ways of responding to God’s invitation to live in a new and more abundant way. These 10 ways were based on an interview with Pope Francis published in part in the Argentine weekly “Viva” July 27, 2014. There the Pope listed his Top 10 tips for bringing greater joy to one’s life. What follows are his tips printed in bold letters. What appears following each tip is my commentary.
1. 2.
Live and Let Live: after all, everyone is invited to the banquet, not just Roman Catholics, not just Christians. Be giving of ourselves to others: Like people who exercise on a regular basis we become stronger and healthier the more we practice, practice, practice. And what do we practice? Love, that is, treating people with dignity and respect even if we don’t like them. Please refer back to #1.
3. Proceed calmly. Be like an inviting pool of water that scares no one. Be kind and be humble. 4. Practice a healthy sense of leisure. Life is not all work. Enjoy the arts, literature, and playing with
5.
children. Take a walk along the river or on the beach.
Keep Sundays as holydays. If not on Sunday itself, well, then make at least 1/7 of your waking hours holy. Take time to notice God’s Work, what God is doing in life and in the world; The beauty, the grace, the forgiveness and reconciliation. The world is in desperate need of people who are more aware of grace than they are of evil. Take note of goodness.
6. Be creative with young people. If you have a business hire some. If you don’t than teach them
something beneficial. Young people are able to teach us baby-boomers a thing or two about modern technology and social media. But what is it that we, in turn, teach them? After all, there is more to life than virtual friends and a computer screen. Show young people how to live well with others. To be accepting of themselves, what they like and what they don’t like about themselves.
7. Respect and take care nature. This is a beautiful month. It reminds us of both the beauty and fragileness of life and of the environment. Take care of nature.
8. Stop being negative. 9. Don’t proselytize. Don’t fight by hurling dogmatic points or quoting the bible to win an argument.
Be the bible. Like Pope Frances - he is the new evangelization. People around the world see him an embodiment of what they admire in Christ, just as they did with Mother Theresa. Just so, the only bible that most people will read or care about is your life. Make those words of Scripture come alive.
10. And finally, Work for Peace. Recognize that we are a global community. We are family. Take care of
each other proactively and dynamically.
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 4
Have a Stewardship “Epiphany” this New Year Rev. Msgr. Leo J. Enlow – St. Peter Catholic Church, Quincy, IL
Another Christmas has come and gone, and as wonderful as the Advent season and Christmas are, things can get a little hectic in even the most organized households. Cards, decorations, shopping for gifts, and attending holiday parties can be stressful. But once we make it past New Year’s Day, things finally settle down a bit. In January, though, we still have another big feast to celebrate —Epiphany. For most of us, Epiphany is just an afterthought of Christmas, the day we observe the arrival of the wisemen in Bethlehem. And we’ve all heard homilies explaining how that odd word Epiphany comes from the Greek meaning “showing forth,” because the child Jesus was shown forth to the magi (who were Gentiles) as the Savior of all people, not only the Messiah of the Jews. This is true, but the Epiphany has a stewardship message for us as well. After all, the magi did not come just to gawk at the baby Jesus. They came because they knew he is someone special. “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” they asked (Mt 2:2), although he’s not the sort of king who lives in palaces. As St. Matthew relates it (2:11), “They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” They came to worship, and part of that worship included offering gifts to the newborn Lord. Jesus certainly welcomes all who come to visit him, even those who come out of mere curiosity. But when we really meet him, our instinctive response is to worship because we recognize that his character is unlike anyone else we’ve ever met. Although Jesus, being God become man, is not limited, for most of us our meetings with him take place at Mass or other public services. But meeting Jesus and worshiping him calls forth an additional response, and so we, along with the wise men, open our treasures. And what are they? They are our Time, our Talent, and our Treasure. We can all find symbolic meanings in the magi’s gifts. Gold, of course, represents Treasure. And because even today, frankincense is the chief ingredient in the incense used at Mass, it can stand for the gift of the Time we offer in worship and prayer. Finally, it takes effort and knowledge to transform the raw gum from tree sap into the forms used in perfumes, myrrh is a fitting symbol for our gift of Talent. As we begin this New Year, let us take a moment to reflect on our place in the Epiphany narrative.
Are you willing to undertake the journey to find the King? What treasures will you offer him in 2016?
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 5
Stewardship Prayer for the New Year Source: ICSC
Lord of new life, Thank you for the gift of a new year. You have entrusted us with the coming days, weeks and months as stewards of your divine plan; to live in gratitude, joy, and an ever growing confidence in your Kingdom to come. We ask for the humility to reform our lives; the courage to commit ourselves to you no matter the cost; and the wisdom to shine the light of faith on others. Open our hearts, give us your Spirit and show us how to share your love so that we may bring hope to a world in need of your justice and peace. We pray to be a sign of your grace in this new year through your son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 6
Stewardship Reflections for The Feast of the Epiphany The famous Christmas story of the visit of the magi to the baby Jesus is foretold in Psalm 72, which reveals how all nations will pay homage and pledge to serve him. We too are invited to hear the Good News of our Savior and use the gifts given to us in service to the Lord. At the beginning of this New Year it is appropriate to ask: Will we accept the Lord’s invitation to embrace His Gospel more fervently? What is it that we will do to serve the Lord more faithfully this year? How will we exercise stewardship over our own gifts to proclaim the good News? St. Thomas Aquinas Parish – College Station, TX
The wise men were seeking to pay homage to a king whose coming had been foretold. They honored our Lord with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We too can honor Christ by the way we steward the gifts of our lives, our possessions, and our faith. These gifts are provided, not only for our own benefit, but also for the good of others through sharing, especially with the poor and the marginalized. When we give generously we pay homage to the King of Kings. Stewardship office, The Archdiocese of Winnipeg,
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 7
Stewardship – Time, Talent, Treasure Source: Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, VT
Stewardship is a way of life expressing thanks through prayer, worship, sacrifice for the gifts God has given, and the action of using our time, talents and treasure to strengthen our Church and the community around us. We are called to do something extra, take time to learn, and grow more in our faith and with our community. At the end of each Mass we are instructed to “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,” to live our mission of evangelization. This week why not invite a friend to church, listen more closely to what is going on at Mass, spend some extra time in prayer, or participate as a lector or server.
Reflection Questions How do I feel I have been a steward in my daily living, in prayer, at work, at mass? What gifts, talents, strengths has God given me? Do I use them to help those around me? What can I do to become a better steward? How do I see Jesus as a model for good stewardship? How does this compare to my own life? What am I willing to sacrifice to become a better steward? How can I help others use the gifts they have to become better stewards and continue to improve our community? Lord, help us become the best stewards through prayer, worship, and sacrifice. Help us to be true disciples in praise to you, as a model for your love, and in our service to others. Amen
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
January 2016 | Stewardship News
Page 8
Stewardship – Gifted to make a difference St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church - Pleasanton, CA
When you give, you make a difference in the lives of the people in this community and surrounding areas. Together we help to make our parish a vibrant place to worship, encourage spiritual growth and extend support to neighbors in need.
We praise God for the gifts and abundance in our lives.
John 3:27 “No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven.” • We believe that all we have and all that we are come from God and that we are truly blessed. • We believe that God loves us and in his covenant he will take care of us. • We believe that we have a tremendous responsibility to be good stewards of his gifts.
We are called to give a portion of our gifts back to God in gratitude. Luke 6:38 “Give and gifts will be given to you.”
• As Catholics we demonstrate our gratitude by giving back to the community and the Church. • Giving is true expression of our faith, we believe that when we give in the spirit of love, God will return the gift abundantly. • Stewardship requires that we give in a purposeful, planned and conscientiously manner, out of our first fruits and not just from excess.
By giving back we are helping the community in which we live.
Matthew 25:40 “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” • Jesus tasks us with the responsibility to care of others by sharing our gifts. • Our gifts are a legacy and our investment in the future of our parish, and our joy is multiplied when it is divided among others. • We are not isolated individuals; we are members in a community in which we should treat others as family. As members of this Catholic family we share in a pride of ownership in our parish. With this commitment, when we enter the church we feel like we are walking into an extension of our home and family.
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Office of Stewardship and Development
