Serving the Parishes of
St. Martha and St. Mary
St. Martha and St. Mary
Search
Stewardship: a way of life for disciples & parishes
-
Stewardship: a way of life for disciples & parishes
What identifies a steward? Safeguarding material and human resources and using them responsibly are one answer; so is generous giving of time, talent, and treasure. But being a Christian steward means more.As Christian stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord.
Let us begin with being a disciple—a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. As members of the Church, Jesus calls us to be disciples. This has astonishing implications:
· Mature disciples make a conscious decision to follow Jesus, no matter what the cost.Jesus' disciples and Christian stewards recognize God as the origin of life, giver of freedom, and source of all things. We are grateful for the gifts of time, talent, and treasure we have received and are eager to use them to show our love for God and for one another. We look to the life and teaching of Jesus for guidance in living as Christian stewards.*
· Christian disciples experience conversion—life shaping changes of mind and heart—and commit their very selves to the Lord.
· Christian stewards respond in a particular way to the call to be a disciple. Stewardship has the power to shape and mold our understanding of our lives and the way in which we live.
"So do not worry and say, 'What are we to eat?' or 'What are we to drink?' or 'What are we to wear?' All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides." (Matt. 6:31-32)"Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:9-11)* Adapted from U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter, “To Be a Christian Steward.”
Christian communities like our parishes are also called to be good stewards in how we care for parishioners and neighbors, treat the environment, maintain our property, and allocate our income. While we are not overflowing in excess, our parishes are in better shape than many other communities. This is why our parishes share some of our blessings with others. Based on dialog with each Parish Finance Council, I use the modest charitable funds in our budgets to show our trust in God and to help support values in line with our mission. Our collaborative can be proud of making it possible for a seminarian to attend summer retreat, sponsoring an ad in a program at Tri-County High School, and making a donation to Cathedral High School as Fr. Bill Schmidt’s class celebrated their 50th anniversary of graduation. Your support of our parish St. Vincent de Paul conferences is a more substantial sharing of our blessings with those who are in need in our area.
In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus made it clear that our neighbor is not just the person next door. Stewardship calls us to trust in the abundance of God’s gifts. Thank you for sharing your time, talents, and treasure with our parishes and beyond!"My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19)