Stewardship

Parish Stewardship is one way of organizing the gifts of parishioners resources to invigorate the parish community. Good disciples are good stewards. They know that God has given them time, talent, and treasure to be shared with others. Therefore, they plan and budget their resources wisely so that God's will can come first in their lives, so that prayer and service can be high on their list of priorities.

What is Stewardship?
What difference will Stewardship make in my life?
Types of Stewardship
Where can I find opportunities for Stewardship?
How can I be a steward of my financial resources?
Scripture
Links

What is Stewardship?
Stewardship is a way of life. It is a way of living each day in gratitude for all the blessings that God has given to us. We do not own the gifts God gives to us. We are only here on earth to use those gifts to do God's work. The roots of stewardship can be found in the Bible, which tells us over and over that God is the Creator and Giver of all gifts. It is our responsibility to show our gratitude to God for these gifts, by giving back to Him a truly grateful share.

In 1992 the U.S. Catholic Bishops released a pastoral letter on stewardship entitled Stewardship: A Disciple's Response. The Bishops described a Christian steward as one who:

Receives God's gifts gratefully
Cherishes and tends them responsibly
Shares them in justice and love
Returns them with increase to the Lord

Sharing our gifts and returning them to God means giving generously of our time, talent and treasure. We give to God by sharing with our Church and with those in need. Time and talent can be shared by becoming involved in parish life, volunteering and offering a helping hand. Treasure can be shared by making a conscious effort to make a financial gift to God first, before we pay the bills and buy the things we want. When we give to God only after all of our personal spending we end up throwing Him the loose change or having nothing left at all to give. When we give to God first we are making a gift of faith, trusting that God will provide for our needs.

We are truly giving Him the "first fruits" just as God asked us to do in the Bible.

What difference will stewardship make in my life?
The difference can be seen in several areas of our lives. The life of a Christian steward models the life of Jesus. It is challenging and even difficult, in many respects, yet intense joy comes to those who take the risk to live as Christian stewards.

First, the difference is in the focus of giving. Instead of focusing on the needs of the group to whom we are giving financial support or helping with our time and talent, the focus is primarily on God and our relationship with the Lord.

Second, the difference is in the motivation for giving. Stewardship is an integral part of our spiritual life and we give in that context because we are grateful to God for what the Lord has already given to us. We give freely because we want to, not because we have to.

Third, the difference is in the result of the giving. As we practice Stewardship, we find that we grow spiritually and that our faith is deepened. In fact, we find that our lives are changed for the good.

What is meant by giving of one's time and talents?
Sharing of one's time involves being with God in prayer and worship, sharing our love with family and friends. It means volunteering our time in church and community activities that helps others.

Sharing our talents means that God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well and we have the responsibility to develop those talents for the good of others. Below are a few suggestions of ways to give your time and talent back to God in gratitude.

Types of Stewardship

Stewards of Faith	Stewards of Family
Performing Individual prayer Reading Scripture Attending a parish bible study Studying Faith-related books and Church periodicals Attending daily and Sunday Mass Participating in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament	Participating in Family Prayer together Spending time together Eating meals together Helping a sibling with school work Playing or reading together Performing household tasks Going on family outings Visiting family Visiting cemeteries
Stewards of our Parish Community	Stewards in our Civic Community
Teaching religious education classes Being a sponsor for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Volunteering in the ministry programs in the parish: - St. Vincent de Paul - Bereavement Committee - Respect Life Being involved in parish liturgical ministries: - Eucharistic Minister - Lector - Music - Hospitality - Altar Server Offering skills for parish use (carpentry, plumbing, electrical, etc.)	Chaperoning activities Coaching teams Supervising or helping with extracurricular activities (e.g. music, drama, yearbook, etc.) Serving on councils/committees Volunteer fire department, rescue squad Leadership to scouts, 4-H, etc. Volunteer at hospitals and homes for elderly Neighborhood groups

Where can I find opportunities for stewardship?
We have a list of volunteer opportunities <here>, as well as many of the social organizations <here>. A list of all ministries is <here>. If you would like to partcipate in any of these opportunities, call the contact person directly, if no contact is listed call the rectory.

How can I be a steward of my financial resources?
God has blessed you with talents that allow you to work and earn financial resources that pays for many necessities such as food, shelter and clothing. Do you show your appreciation for these wonderful and powerful blessings by returning a generous portion? Our Biblical roots describe the response of God's chosen people to His goodness as a return of 10%. This tradition of returning 10% of God's bounty has been followed through time.

Here at Presentation, we ask parishioners to support the Parish, the Diocese and various charitable programs. We feel that it inappropriate for us to specify how much is shared, leaving that to the individual family. We have implemented automatic electronic monthly donations using Parish Pay. Simply contact the parish office or any member of the Financial Council for the forms or go directly to the Internet Parish Pay and specify Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish.

Scripture

Luke 7:38: Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

Matthew 6:31-33: 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. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.

Luke 12:33-34: Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

1 Peter 4:9-11: 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.

Philippians 4:19-20: My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen.

Links

A Invitation to Help Change the World (USCCB)

Stewardship: A Disciple's Response (USCCB) (.pdf)