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Principles of Catholic Stewardship of Time, Talents and Treasure
"As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace." (Peter 4:10)
The word "stewardship" refers to the Catholic approach to the gifts that God has bestowed upon us. Stewardship is living out a commitment to be Christ-centered rather than self-centered. Profound gratitude, justice and love become the fundamental motives for giving back to God. Everything that God has given to us is intended to serve the divine plan. Therefore, our life is to be lived in gratitude toward God. In a variety of ways, we as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, share our time, talent and treasure to build up the Church and make our world a better place.
There are four pillars of stewardship:
Hospitality - Stewardship parishes are those in which parishioners know they are welcomed which fosters a sense of ownership and personal involvement in lived stewardship to the parish family.
Prayer - In both our personal and communal prayer, we turn toward God to discern properly our talents and gifts. In a steward's response, we place those gifts at the service of God and one another. At the heart of the steward's prayer is the petition, "Thy Will be done."
Formation - Every parish organization has a role to play in nurturing the faith formation of the parishioners. The meaning of faithful stewardship and how to live this way of life is at the core of the disciple's response to the gift of faith we freely receive from our loving God.
Service - Service is an opportunity for the parish to put into practice the other three pillars. True stewardship parishes practice all four pillars, with Jesus Christ as the model and the foundation from which the pillars arise.
The Stewardship Council:
Assists and advises the pastor in guiding the continual renewal of the stewardship way of life at St. John's.
Seeks to further stewardship through increased communication and education and by holding an annual Stewardship Renewal. The ultimate goal is to encourage parishioners to deepen their relationship with Christ, and to express this conversion through gifts of time, talent, and treasure to the parish community.
The By-laws of the Stewardship Council list the following responsibilities for its members:
To live as good Christian stewards
To educate themselves about stewardship
To advise the pastor
To become credible witnesses to other parishioners and to other parishes
To seek ways to promote a stewardship mentality within the parish and
To direct and support the annual stewardship renewal.
The Council meets at least once each quarter and the meetings are open to any parish member.
Council Members:
Bob Schempp-Chairman
Mary Larson
Virginia Leidholt
Frances Lovelace
Kathy Feist
Myron Feist
Gary Gemar
Jan Gemar
Jim Hatlelid
Deacon Steve Mays
Dawn Palumbo
Todd Palumbo
Related Information
Link
Catholic Stewardship Consultants
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