1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
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Stewardship Resources
designed specifically for parish use in
the Diocese of Green Bay
by the Department of Stewardship & Pastoral Services
Contents
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Menu & Description of Resources
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Stewardship Campaign Prayer in Three Languages
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Theology of Stewardship Reflection by Bishop Robert Morneau
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Promotion of Prayer: Booklet of Suggestions & Ideas
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Two Parish Meeting Prayers
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Homily Helps prepared by Bishop Robert Morneau
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Suggested Prayers of Petition
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Ordering Information for the Stewardship Theme Song
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Lay Witness Talk How-to and Handy Tips Guide
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Set of Five Bulletin Inserts written by Bishop David Zubik
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Bulletin Filler: clip art, quotes, and scripture passages
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Personal Daily Prayer Journal
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Materials for Small Faith Sharing Groups
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Kids Poster, Poetry, and Essay Contest Guidelines
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Ordering Information for an Intergenerational,
Whole Parish Community Stewardship Event
September 2006
Advancing the Mission – Inspiration Phase Resources
Diocese of Green Bay
The following materials are in addition to Advancing the Mission parish posters,
brochures and other resources. These materials are designed for use during the
Inspiration Phase of the Stewardship Campaign, the five weeks leading up to the
Commitment/Pledge Weekend. However, they can be used at any time throughout the
campaign. The Focus Topics for each week of the Inspiration Phase are:
Week One: Intro to Stewardship as A Way of Life
Week Two: Prayer
Week Three: Service
Week Four: Sharing
Week Five: Commitment/Pledge Sunday
General Resources
Stewardship Campaign Prayer – Special Campaign Prayer available in variety of
formats intended for regular use at liturgies, parish meetings, programs, etc. Available
in English, Spanish, and Hmong*.
Theology of Stewardship – Brief reflection paper done by Bishop Robert Morneau
which outlines the theology of Stewardship as A Way of Life marked by prayer, service
and sharing.
Campaign Prayer Support Suggestions – A collection of suggestions and ideas on
how to engage the whole parish community in prayer for the success of the stewardship
campaign.
Monthly Parish Meeting Prayer Services – In addition to the Stewardship Campaign
prayer – two prayer services have been developed for use at various parish pastoral
council and committee meetings.
Worship Resources
Homily Helps – A collection of reflections developed by Bishop Robert Morneau on
each of the five themes to assist pastors in the preparation of homilies.
Prayers of Petition - Suggested prayers of petition for each Sunday which coincide
with each of the five weekly themes to encourage parish community prayer for the
success of the Stewardship Campaign.
Stewardship Song - “What Return Shall I Make” by Vince Ambrosetti (International
Liturgy Publications) this song does an excellent job of communicating the Stewardship
message. Copyright permission and a three year reprint license acquired on behalf of
the parishes, schools and other institutions of the Diocese of Green Bay.
Lay Witness Talk Guidelines – A set of guidelines and resources for recruiting and
assisting lay persons in development and sharing of lay witness talks.
Bulletin Resources
Bishop Zubik’s Bulletin Inserts – Single page inserts with reflection on each of the
five weekly focus topics written by Bishop Zubik.
Bulletin Filler -Collections of clip art, and scripture quotes, cut and paste items that can
be inserted - space permitting - in weekly bulletins or other parish-based publications.
Adult Formation Resources
Daily Prayer Book – A personal daily prayer journal designed for use each day of the
Inspiration Phase.
Small Faith Sharing Group Materials – For those who remember RENEW 2000 or
currently sponsor small faith sharing groups in the parish who are looking for resource
materials – here they are. An opportunity for small groups to meet to learn about
Stewardship over a five week period.
Children, Family & Home Materials
Intergenerational-Whole Parish Stewardship Evening - A suggested outline and
collection of materials to help plan an opportunity for all members of the parish
community, young and old, families, singles, etc to gather together to learn and live the
message of Stewardship as a Way of Life.
Kids Poster, Essay, and Poetry Contest Ideas - A handout with suggestions on how
to run successful poster, essay, or poetry contests with children from the parish school
or faith formation program.
Need Additional Help On Inspiration Phase?
Contact: Your RSI Consultant or
Susan Perrault
Stewardship and Pastoral Services
Diocese of Green Bay
PO Box 23825
Green Bay, WI 54305-3925
920-272-8306
877-500-3580 ext. 8306 (toll free from area codes 920 & 715)
[email protected]
Final Version 9-20-06
Capital Stewardship Campaign Prayer
Generous and loving God,
You call us to be disciples of your Son Jesus
and good stewards of all your many gifts.
Open our minds and hearts to a greater awareness
and deeper appreciation of your countless blessings.
Transform us through the power of your Spirit
to nurture a Stewardship way of life
marked by faith-filled prayer,
service to our neighbor
and generous sharing.
Teach us to be faithful servants of your gifts.
With Mary’s help, may we return ten-fold
the gifts entrusted to us.
Bless our capital stewardship campaign
with a deepening devotion to prayer,
a growing commitment for service,
and increasing levels of generosity
as we work to advance the mission
of both our parish and diocese.
We pray through Christ, our Lord,
Amen.
Diócesis de Green Bay
Oración de Corresponsabilidad para Nuestra Campaña
Dios amoroso y lleno de bondad, que nos
has llamado a ser discípulos de tu hijo Jesús,
y a ser corresponsales de tus dones.
Abre nuestra mente y nuestro corazón para ser
más conscientes y agradecidos por tus bendiciones.
Transfórmanos con el poder de tu Espíritu
a una vida de crecimiento y compromiso,
ser fieles en la oración, sirviendo al prójimo y
compartiendo con generosidad.
Enséñanos a ser siervos fieles de tus dones.
Por intersección de la santísima virgen María,
devolver diez-veces los dones otorgados.
Bendice nuestra campaña de corresponsabilidad para la colecta con
profunda devoción y oración, nuestro gran compromiso de
entrega, con generosidad y servicio a la misión de la iglesia
y de nuestra diócesis.
Te lo pedimos por Cristo, nuestro Señor. Amen
Tuam Ceeb Koom Txoos Green Bay
Thov Ntuj rau kev sib pab
Huab Tais Tswv Ntuj tus muaj kev hlub,
Koj hu peb los ua koj Leej Tub Yes Xus cov thwj tim thiab ua ib tug tub txib
zoo rau koj cov txiaj ntsim txhua yam.
Qhib peb lub siab lub tswv yim kom peb pom koj tej txiaj ntsim uas koj tau
foom pub rau peb ntau tshaj uas suav tsis tau.
Leej Ntuj Plig lub zog pab hloov peb kom peb txawj ua ib tug tub txib zoo
nyob hauv peb lub neej muaj txoj kev thov ntuj puv npo, kom txawj pab tej
neeg txheeb ze thiab muaj lub siab hlub luag.
Qhia kom peb txawj ua ib tug tub txib ncaj ncees nyob hauv koj tej txiaj ntsim.
Muaj niam Mab Liab pab, peb yuav tau txais cov txiaj ntsim kaum npaug rov
los rau peb.
Foom pub rau peb tej kev sib pab ua tub txib kom peb muaj txoj kev nyiam
thov ntuj tas mus li. Txhawb peb txoj kev sib pab lub zog kom nyob ruaj nreb,
kom tej kev cog lus sib pab loj hlob raws li tej hauj lwm uas peb npaj ua rau
peb tiam no thiab tiam dhau tiam lawm yav tom ntej.
Peb vam txog peb tus Huab Tais Pleev.
Ua Li
Stewardship of Service
Ministry is about gifts and needs. We name and nurture the gifts God has given us; we place these
gifts at the service of those in need. Ministries are many in number and find expression in the areas of
worship, education, community, social justice, leadership, and evangelization. The Epistle of St. Peter
reminds us: “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve another as good stewards of God’s varied
graces” (1 Peter 4:10).
A theology of ministry and service emphasizes that it is not so much that we do things for others but
rather Jesus is doing something for others through us. Being aware of the difference between “for” and
“through” changes our whole manner of service. That is why prayer is so important: it keeps reminding
us that all stewardship is ultimately the work of the Lord taking place through the actions of faithful
disciples.
Jesus came not to be served but to serve. Through baptism and confirmation we are called to a life of
commitment to the wounded of the world. The Eucharist strengthens us in that mission and the Christian
community hopefully supports us in our responsibilities.
Theology of
Stewardship
A Reflection
By
Bishop Robert F. Morneau
Stewardship of Sharing
“The budget is a moral document” (Jim Wallis). How we earn and spend our money is both a highly
personal issue as well as a social concern. Having access to someone’s checkbook is also having access
to that person’s value system. “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Matthew 6:21
Stewards are generous people. Again, they have a grateful heart realizing that all gifts come from
the Lord. They feel an obligation to return a portion (be it 3%, 6%, 10%, 20%) to the Church and other
charities. They refuse to be co-opted by a culture of greed and live a life of hoarding. A tough question
has to be asked: can a person claim to be a disciple of the Lord if they are not sharing generously of their
financial resources?
A strange phenomenon happens in the stewardship world. The greater the generosity and the greater
the sacrifice, the greater the joy. Joy, according to some authors, is impossible without generosity. And
as one author states, joy is the infallible sign of God’s presence.
Resource
Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response
Pastoral Letter of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, 1992
see www.usccb.org/stewardship/index/htm
This reflection, written by Bishop Morneau, originally appeared
in the Parish Stewardship Committee Guidelines
published by the Diocese of Green Bay, August 1, 2002.
This version has been designed for use by parishes during the
Stewardship Campaign: Advance the Mission.
Additional Stewardship Resources available at: www.gbdioc.org
Department of Stewardship & Pastoral Services
Stewardship Campaign
Diocese of Green Bay
Department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services
Theology of Stewardship
Bishop Robert Morneau
Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay
Overview of Stewardship
Stewardship is a way of life. For Christians who follow in the way of the Lord Jesus, stewardship is
an expression of discipleship. When we recognize that God is the origin of all life, the giver of everything
that we have and are, the source of our freedom and giftedness, the healthy person responds by thanking
God through prayer, by serving God and God’s people through ministry, by sharing our financial
resources with those in need. Stewardship is a way of life based upon conversion of heart.
Why conversion? Because too often our hearts lack the vision and compassion that makes us true
followers of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament the prophet Ezekiel, speaking for God, makes this statement: “A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your
body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). Our God is a promise-maker; our
God is a promise-keeper. When the Holy Spirit breaks into our lives, our hearts become prayerful, our
ministry joyful, and our generosity extravagant.
Stewards, according to the pastoral letter Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, do four things:
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receive God’s gifts gratefully
nurture God’s gifts responsibly
share God’s gifts justly and charitably
return those gifts to God abundantly
Gratitude is the cornerstone of stewardship. All is gift for those who see life with the eyes of faith.
God gives us our existence and talents, our time and our treasure, our family and friends. Stewards
express their gratitude by a life of generosity.
Stewards are serious about naming and developing the gifts and talents given to them for the sake of
the community. As one poet asks, “What have you done with the garden entrusted to you?” (Antonio
Machado). Responsibility and accountability are part of our call as disciples.
Stewards share. What has been given to us is not simply for our own use. Recipients are to become
benefactors. So we return to the Lord and our needy sisters and brothers a just and sacrificial portion of
all that comes our way.
A theology of stewardship looks to the future. Our lives here on earth are relatively short. One day
we will return to the Lord from whom we came. If we have lived in Christ and in the Spirit, then we will
bear fruit, abundant fruit. Stewards yield a rich harvest.
Stewardship as a way of life based upon conversion of heart is broad in its range and demanding in its
claim. Stewardship embraces all of life and challenges us to be faithful to our calling. The following passage from the pastoral letter Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response articulates the range of this way of life:
“Stewardship plays an important role in the lives of people who seek to follow Christ. In particular,
Christians must be stewards of their personal vocations, for it is these that show how, according to
the circumstances of their individual lives, God wants them to cherish and serve a broad range of
interests and concerns: life and health, along with their intellectual and spiritual well being and that
of others; material goods and resources; the natural environment; the cultural heritage of humankind.”
Using the image of a garden we might ask ourselves the question – how well have we, or are we,
tending the following gardens of our life?
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the garden of our body
the garden of family – friends
the garden of the globe
the garden of choices
the garden of our emotions
the garden of the city/nation
the garden of the “chip”
the garden of history
the garden of mind
the garden of the arts
the garden of money
the garden of our soul
(physical garden)
(social garden)
(ecological garden)
(moral garden)
(psychological garden)
(political garden)
(technological garden)
(historical garden)
(intellectual garden)
(cultural garden)
(economic garden)
(spiritual garden)
Obviously, these gardens overlap and intersect. But each of them calls for a certain amount of tending
and care. Each person must decide on how we allocate our limited time and resources in attempting to be
good stewards of these many gardens.
Stewardship: A Way of Life
Over the years many people in talking of stewardship have used the categories of time, talent, and
treasure. In our stewardship thrust, we will be using the terms prayer, service, and sharing.
Stewardship of Prayer
Prayer is about our relationship with God. The most recent doctor of the Church, St. Therese of
Lisieux, speaks of prayer in this way: “For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance
directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy; finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands the soul and unites me to Jesus.”
Stewards nurture their relationship with God by having a prayer life. Whether that is two minutes or
two hours a day, listening and responding to God is at the core of the disciple’s life. At times the prayer
will be that of thanksgiving. At other times the prayer will be that of praise or petition or forgiveness.
Whether private or communal prayer, the purpose is to stay connected to God so as to do the divine will.
This dimension of stewardship can be measured to some degree. Of the 168 hours per week, of the
144 daily ten-minutes slots, how much time do we use in prayer? And, of course, the most important
prayer of all is the Eucharist, in which we hear God’s word and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Stewards
are eucharistic people.
Check out additional resources for the
Advancing the Mission
Stewardship Campaign
at
www.gbdioc.org
Prayer Suggestions and Ideas
to support the
Stewardship Campaign
Need Additional Help – Copies of Resources ?
Contact your parish RSI Consultant or
Susan Perrault
Stewardship and Pastoral Services
Diocese of Green Bay
PO Box 23825
Green Bay, WI 54305-3925
920-272-8306
877-500-3580 (area codes 920&715)
[email protected]
Department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services
August 2006
Prayer Suggestions and Ideas
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Bishop Zubik has as his motto, “Nothing is impossible with
God!” A variation of this scripture quote is “Great things are
possible with God!” and as Catholic parishes throughout
Northeast Wisconsin prayerfully participate in the Stewardship
Campaign: Advancing the Mission, great things will indeed
happen.
Great things can and will happen when we prayerfully ask for
God’s guidance and blessings on all those who volunteer their
time and service in support of the campaign. Great things can
and will happen when each and every parishioner prayerfully
considers how to best commit to new levels of prayer, service,
and sharing.
This collection of ideas and suggestions is offered to parish
leadership and campaign volunteers in support of efforts at the
parish level in promoting prayer as a cornerstone for this
campaign. May God be with you in all you do and generously
bless your parish community with many great things!
Need Additional Help-Copies of Resources?
Contact your parish RSI Consultant or
Susan Perrault
Stewardship and Pastoral Services
Diocese of Green Bay
PO Box 23825
Green Bay, WI 54305-3825
920-272-8306
877-500-3580 (area codes 920 & 715)
[email protected]
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Inspiration Phase. This resource is also available from your RSI
consultant, the Department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services
or download from the diocesan web site.
Remind parishioners about the availability for the Daily
Stewardship Prayer Journal. As a “teaser,” print excerpts from
the book with instructions on how to obtain one.
Include articles written by various parish members on the power
of prayer and the importance of all parishioners praying for
God’s guidance and for the success of the parish's stewardship
campaign. Include these articles in all parish publications.
Prayer Chain-Eucharistic Adoration
Many parishes sponsor prayer chains or prayer network ministries.
Parishioners willing to make a commitment to regularly pray for
parishioners with special needs or situations are recruited to accept
prayer intentions via a phone tree, bulletin notices, direct mailings,
or email. Throughout the various phases of the Stewardship
Campaign, consider asking for prayers for the success of Advancing
the Mission.
Parishes with Eucharistic Adoration chapels might consider asking
for a portion of every vigil to be devoted to prayers for the success of
the parish’s Stewardship Campaign.
Your Resources and Ideas
During the course of the Stewardship Campaign, as you consider the
suggestions gathered here, we know parishes will develop additional
ideas and resources. We would appreciate the opportunity to share your
experiences and efforts with other parishes. Your projects, ideas, and
resources will be properly acknowledged. Thank you for considering
our request; see our contact information on the inside of the front cover.
Engaging the Sick and Homebound
Stewardship Campaign Prayer
Pastoral ministers or care ministry volunteers who regularly take
communion to those residing in nursing homes, assistive living
centers, or to those confined to their homes can also bring copies of
the Stewardship Campaign card and Daily Prayer Journal.
Parishioners who are unable to come to church appreciate being
remembered and need to know they are still considered important
members of the faith community; they can be included in the
Stewardship Campaign as part of a prayer ministry. Ask for an
ongoing offering of prayer for the success of the parish's campaign.
Follow up with regular updates on the activities and progress of the
campaign. At the end of the campaign, send a special thank-you
note expressing appreciation for their gift of prayer support and how
it helped make the campaign a success.
A special Stewardship Campaign prayer is available for use
throughout the diocese. English, Spanish, and Hmong versions in a
variety of layouts can be downloaded from the diocesan web site,
obtained through your RSI consultant or through the Department
of Stewardship and Pastoral Services. Parish leaders are
encouraged to make extensive use of this prayer in its many
formats.
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Parish Bulletin-Newsletter-Web Site
Throughout the parish campaign, the weekly bulletin, web site, and
parish newsletters can be effective vehicles for the promotion of
prayer support.
• Periodically feature the Stewardship Campaign Prayer in the
bulletin, parish newsletter, and post to the parish’s web site.
Invite parishioners to offer the prayer daily.
• A prayer intention resource, designed to follow the five weekly
themes of the Inspiration Phase, is available for use at the parish.
Request multiple copies from your RSI consultant, contact the
Department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services, or download
from the diocesan website and share with all responsible for
planning weekly liturgies, composing the weekly bulletin, parish,
school, or religious education newsletter, or maintaining the
parish web site.
• A specialized “Bulletin Filler” resource is also available, filled
with selected scripture passages, clip art, and quotes pertaining to
Stewardship themes, all designed to coincide with the five week
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Distribute the prayer cards in parish mailings, in the weekly
bulletin, pass them out at all parish functions. Encourage daily
use by parishioners; ask them to post it on the kitchen
refrigerator, the bathroom mirror, the kitchen table, or in their
daily prayer book.
Have copies available for use as the opening or closing prayer
for all parish meetings – do not limit its use to Advancing the
Mission committee meetings alone.
Tape copies of the prayer on the inside cover of parish
hymnals or missalettes. Recite the prayer together as a
community at mass, perhaps after the homily or after
communion.
Have those who visit the sick and homebound take copies to
share – ask daily prayers be dedicated to the success of the
parish’s campaign.
Distribute copies to students and staff in the Catholic School
and faith formation programs. Invite their prayer support as
well.
Prayers of Petition
Each weekend as a community of faith we gather at the table of the
Lord to celebrate Eucharist. As part of this gathering, we bring
prayers of petition to our God. In the earliest stages of the parish
campaign – the organizational phase – invite the community to
prayer, asking God for wisdom, insight, and guidance as the
community seeks to determine God’s will in the development of the
parish “case statement.” This “case statement” will outline the use
of the funds the parish will receive through its participation in the
Advancing the Mission diocesan wide stewardship campaign.
In addition, a special resource featuring suggested prayers of petition
has been developed for use during the five week Inspiration Phase of
the Campaign. They are organized and ordered to follow the weekly
themes of this special five week phase. Copies can be downloaded
from the diocesan web site, obtained through your RSI consultant or
through the Department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services
Following the Inspiration Phase and Commitment Sunday, ask the
Liturgy Committee to follow up with prayers of thanksgiving for the
many gifts, blessings and generous sharing that took place as a result
of the campaign. Pray for all parishioners to continue to grow in
awareness and appreciation of choosing to live out lives marked by
prayer, service and sharing.
Parish Meeting Prayer Services
The diocesan department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services has
regularly provided a monthly parish meeting prayer service for use
by any parish council, committee, or group. These 10–12 minute
long, ready-to-copy and easy-to-use prayer services can be
downloaded from the web site or sent to you via an email
attachment. Two new opening prayer services have been designed
around Advancing the Mission themes. View them on our web site,
obtain copies from your RSI consultant or contact us in Stewardship
and Pastoral Services. Share this campaign resource with any and all
parish groups and keep this on-going resource in mind for use after
the campaign as well.
Daily Prayer Books
To assist parishioners in their exploration of Stewardship as a Way
of Life, a life marked by prayer, service and sharing, a very special
daily prayer book has been developed for our use during the five
week Inspiration Phase of the Advancing the Mission campaign.
Consider mailing each household a copy and make copies available
at every entrance of the church. Mention their availability at every
mass and post notices in the weekly bulletin and on the parish web
site.
Some parishes have produced their own versions of daily prayer and
reflection booklets. Parishioners from all walks and stages of life are
asked to write a brief reflection on a specific topic or in response to a
daily reading. These reflections are then compiled into a special
individual prayer book, printed locally and shared with the parish
community.
Stewardship Monthly Meeting Prayer No. 1
Introduction
Guide
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.” (Ps. 24:1)
Living as a good steward means to return responsibly what
belongs to God, which ultimately is each and every thing we
have acquired. As God shares with us, whatever we might gain
from the development of these gifts is also to be shared.
Stewardship is not just a program but a way of life.
Opening Prayer
All
Generous God, all that we have comes from you. Help us return to you with joyful,
generous hearts, what you have entrusted to our care. We ask this in Jesus’ name
in the power of the Holy Spirit, gift of your presence within and among us. Amen.
Reading
Reader
A reading excerpted from “Reflections on the Pastoral Letter” by the late Archbishop
Thomas J. Murphy (1932-1997).
(Reading is on reverse side.)
Discussion
1. How is stewardship a way of life?
2. How can incorporating stewardship convictions change one’s whole life?
3. “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.” (Ps. 24:1) How can that theme affect
one’s financial contributions of sacrificial giving to one’s parish?
Response
Side 1
“Whatever gift each of you may have received,
Side 2
…use it in service to one another, like good stewards.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Side 1
As we launch our Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission,
Side 2
may the understanding of stewardship as a way of life influence decisions on why
Christians generously share their resources.
Side 1
We join together in heartfelt prayer asking God to bless our parish’s stewardship efforts,
Side 2
and that parish members respond joyfully and generously.
Petitions
Closing Prayer
(Individuals add intentions to remember here)
Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission Prayer
All
Generous and loving God, You call us to be disciples of your Son Jesus and good stewards of all your
many gifts. Open our minds and hearts to a greater awareness and deeper appreciation of your countless
blessings.
Transform us through the power of your Spirit to nurture a Stewardship way of life marked by faithfilled prayer, service to our neighbor and generous sharing. Teach us to be faithful servants of your
gifts. With Mary’s help, may we return ten-fold the gifts entrusted to us.
Bless our Stewardship Campaign with a deepening devotion to prayer, a growing commitment for
service, and increasing levels of generosity as we work to advance the mission of both our parish and
diocese. We pray through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
a reading from
“Reflections on the Pastoral Letter”
by Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy
Stewardship is part of faith. It is one of the chief characteristics of what it
means to be a disciple of Jesus. Stewardship is a lifestyle that reflects who we
are and what we believe. My friends, in many ways … that whole question of
who we are and what we believe is what this pastoral letter is about. It is
about asking us to look at our hearts and our minds and to experience the
conversion to which we are called… Because stewardship, as we look at it and
we reflect upon it, goes beyond sharing one’s resources; it goes beyond the
mere sharing of financial gifts that have been given to us. It asks us to do
something far more difficult, and that is to share ourselves. To share our time,
our abilities, our ministry, our relationships. Stewardship is really a call to be
a holy people.
Excerpted from a transcription of a videotaped address by Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy given in
Indianapolis, Indiana, November 9, 1993. A DVD version of this presentation is included with the book
What Do I Own and What Owns Me – A Spirituality of Stewardship by Daniel Conway,
published by Twenty Third Publications (2005).
Monthly Meeting Prayer #1
developed for the
Stewardship Campaign
Advancing the Mission
Department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services
Stewardship Monthly Meeting Prayer No. 2
Introduction
Guide “How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me?”
(Ps. 166:12)
Christian Stewardship as a way of life implies prayer and praise of
God, serving God’s people and sharing one’s assets for the benefit
of all. Grounded in prayer and service, authentic sharing follows.
Opening Prayer
All
Generous God, all that we have comes from you. Help all of us in the Diocese of Green
Bay return to you with joyful, generous hearts, what you have entrusted to our care. We
ask this in Jesus’ name through the power of the Holy Spirit, gift of your presence within
and among us. Amen.
Reading
Reader
A reading from “Stewardship—A Way of Life and Identity: Some ‘Commandments’”
by Bishop Robert Morneau
(Reading is on reverse side)
Discussion
1. How does the stewardship of prayer and service lead to sharing of assets?
2. What cultural realities inhibit the stewardship of financial sharing?
3. “All belongs to the Lord.” (Lv. 27:30) How does that conviction affect your decision
for the stewardship of sharing?
Response
(adapted from the U.S. Bishops Pastoral Letter: “Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response,” 1992)
Side 1
Christian stewards receive God’s gifts gratefully,
Side 2
may we proclaim by our lives that “all is gift.”
Side 1
Christian stewards cultivate God’s gifts responsibly,
Side 2
may we develop our personal gifts and invest our assets as disciples of Jesus.
Side 1
Christian stewards share God’s gifts with others with justice and love;
Side 2
we ask for God’s blessing on our Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission.
Petitions
Closing Prayer
(Individuals add intentions to remember here)
Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission Prayer
All
Generous and loving God, You call us to be disciples of your Son Jesus and good stewards of all your
many gifts. Open our minds and hearts to a greater awareness and deeper appreciation of your countless
blessings.
Transform us through the power of your Spirit to nurture a Stewardship way of life marked by faith-filled
prayer, service to our neighbor and generous sharing. Teach us to be faithful servants of your gifts. With
Mary’s help, may we return ten-fold the gifts entrusted to us.
Bless our Stewardship Campaign with a deepening devotion to prayer, a growing commitment for service,
and increasing levels of generosity as we work to advance the mission of both our parish and diocese. We
pray through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
A reading from
Stewardship—a Way of Life and Identity:
Some ‘Commandments’
by Bishop Robert Morneau
(The Compass, September 2001)
How can we exercise our stewardship? Are there some ‘commandments’ that might help us to be good
trustees of all that God has given us? Here are [some] commandments for a stewardship way of life.
1. “Take only what ye need.” (George Eliot) A danger in present culture is to lose the ability to
distinguish between wants and needs. Taking more than we need puts us on treacherous terrain.
2. “A sense of gratitude is a primary source for a life of generosity.” (anon) If we are keenly aware
that all is gift, then we will have grateful hearts and generous hands. What has been given to us is
to be shared. Generosity (being a Eucharistic people) is a fundamental characteristic of discipleship.
3. “All belongs to the Lord.” (Lv. 27:30) The corollary of this statement is that we are never
absolute owners of anything but trustees and caretakers. The first lie we tell ourselves and the
last – “It’s mine!”
4. “Be a gift and a benediction.” (R.W. Emerson) Having been gifted by God, we are to be a blessing
and gift to others.
5. “We discover our gifts in the eyes of the receiver.” (H. Nouwen) Indeed, we discover our true
identity by being stewards. Refusing to give means we never come to know ourselves.
Monthly Meeting Prayer #2
developed for the
Stewardship Campaign
Advancing the Mission
Department of Stewardship & Pastoral Services
HOMILY HELPS
BY
BISHOP Robert F. Morneau
Five Week Inspiration Phase
Stewardship Campaign
Diocese of Green Bay
Stewardship Campaign Homily Guidelines
This collection of homily helps, provided by Bishop Morneau, are organized to follow the themes of
the five week Inspiration Phase of your parish’s stewardship campaign.
Week One:
Week Two:
Week Three:
Week Four:
Week Five:
Stewardship as a Way of Life
Prayer
Service
Sharing
Commitment/Pledging
The greatest influence on what happens to parishioners spiritually and how they respond throughout
the stewardship campaign will be the homilies preached during the Inspirational Phase. Consider
the following when preparing:
Be inspirational. Trust that God will lead people to participate and respond.
Do not apologize. Too often we diminish the impact of what we say by apologetically explaining
God’s expectations in prayer, service, and sharing. Expect great things, challenge parishioners to
new levels of personal commitment to stewardship as a way of life.
Emphasize and encourage commitment to all three aspects of stewardship: prayer, service, and
sharing.
Share creative “stewardship as a way of life” examples you have personally witnessed.
Refrain from using homilies to answer campaign questions and address criticisms. Let your
homilies be positive, inspirational, and motivational but never manipulative.
Develop each homily in continuity with the others. Allow them to build upon each other and move
toward a fitting conclusion and climax by your parish’s Commitment Weekend.
Week One
Stewardship - A Way of Life
In 1997, Robert Ellsberg wrote All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and
Witnesses For Our Time (New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company), a book describing
365 individuals, one for each day of the year, who lived lives of stewardship. That is, these
women and men received God’s gifts gratefully, nurtured God’s gifts responsibly, share those
gifts justly and sacrificially, and returned those gifts to the Lord in abundance. Some were
more successful than others; some have been acclaimed by history while others remain
unappreciated.
What does stewardship look like? Is there a portrait that we might contemplate and attempt
to emulate? I am convinced there is.
Gratitude! A steward, a caretaker of God’s gift, is grateful – grateful for the gift of time,
the gift of family and friends, the gift of faith and freedom, the gift of wind and rain. Nothing
is taken for granted; all is recognized as a blessing, indeed, a benediction. Thus, a steward is a
Eucharistic person, giving thanks always and everywhere for divine blessings.
Generosity! A steward is generous, sharing the blessings received. Generous with time,
generous with talents, generous with treasure. Stewards pray, serve, and share. Thus they
imitate the life of Christ. This generosity flows from gratitude and is motivated by the power
of the Holy Spirit.
Joy! A case can be made that joy is impossible without stewardship. Joy is the byproduct
of love and love is a life of generosity. We might ask whether or not depression and
melancholy, so rampant in our times, might sometimes be rooted in a lack of stewardship. As
the German poet Goethe so powerfully stated: “What is not used is but a load to bear.”
Unused gifts weigh us down; indeed, unused gifts can cause depression.
Faith/Trust! There is a single paragraph in the USCCB pastoral letter, Stewardship: A
Disciple’s Response, that grounds stewardship in faith. It is worth our meditation:
The idea and the practice of stewardship have the power to change our selfunderstanding and our understanding of the meaning of our lives. Steward- disciples
recognize God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all they have and all
they are. They see themselves as caretakers of God’s gifts. They are grateful for what they
have received and are eager to cultivate their gifts out of love for God and one another.”
There is another option to stewardship; there is another way of life. It is one of continual
acquisition with no sharing of what has been given. In the end, our estates may be large, our
time apparently preserved, our talents not “wasted” on others. In the end, our souls will be
empty. We were not created to fill our barns until they are full. We were created to receive
and give what God offers. We were created to be good stewards of God’s many gifts and
thereby to give glory to the Lord.
Week Two
Prayer
Our diocesan stewardship prayer captures well the essence of what stewardship is all
about. Personal and communal transformation happens when we put it to memory and live it:
Generous and loving God,
You call us to be disciples of your Son Jesus and good stewards of all your many gifts.
Open our minds and hearts to a greater awareness and deeper
appreciation of your countless blessings.
Transform us through the power of your Spirit to nurture a Stewardship way of life
marked by faith-filled prayer, service to our neighbor, and generous sharing.
Teach us to be faithful servants of your gifts.
With Mary’s help, may we return ten-fold the gifts entrusted to us.
Bless our capital stewardship campaign with a deepening devotion to prayer, a growing
commitment for service, and increasing levels of generosity as we work to
advance the mission of both our parish and diocese
We pray through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
The cornerstone of a stewardship way of life is our relationship with God and our
relationship with God is grounded in communication: prayer!
Prayer is many things:
· a lifting of one’s mind and heart to God
· tender, loving dialogue between God and the soul (community)
· a listening and responding to God’s word
· loving attention (contemplation)
· praise, thanksgiving, petition, sorrow
Personal prayer – be it morning or evening prayer, centering prayer, the rosary or a novena,
stations of the cross – deepens our friendship with God. Indeed, as William James once stated:
“We and God have business with each other; and in opening ourselves to His influence our
deepest destiny is fulfilled.” On a daily basis we need to “stay in touch” with a God who loves
and sustains us. As caretakers and trustees of the gift of time, we make a return to the Lord by
devoting a segment of our day to our gracious Creator.
Liturgical prayer (worship) – the prayer of the community – culminates in the Eucharist.
Here we encounter the Steward, Jesus. He models for us a life of gratitude and generosity, of
joy and trust in the Father. The Eucharist is all about obedience (liturgy of the word) and selfgiving (offertory, consecration, communion). The Eucharist is all about a stewardship way of
life.
We begin the Mass with the penitential rite. As flawed stewards we ask forgiveness for our
stinginess, our injustices, and our lack of trust. The Lord in His mercy forgives us, nourishes us
through the Eucharist, and sends us forth to share justly and sacrificially all that we have
received.
Week three
Service
Jesus came to serve, not to be served. Here again is our model for stewardship, a servant
God, a shepherd caring for His sheep, a Lord who is at the disposal of His subjects.
Stewardship is based upon the assumption that everyone is gifted. Whether our talent is one
or many, we have been entrusted with blessings that are to be nurtured, cherished, and offered
to others for the common good and the building of the Kingdom. A favorite image that we do
well to remember is that each one of us is to add our brick to the cathedral of life.
How do we serve? How do we exercise stewardship? In a thousand different ways:
changing diapers, plowing the back forty, emptying bedpans, performing surgery, teaching our
youths and adults, making and enforcing laws, employing people, cooking a meal, inventing a
new brand of sauerkraut, patrolling our highways and city streets. Service comes in all shapes
and sizes. Service means we are “for others” as Jesus was for us. It is Gospel caring.
One of the key principles of stewardship: “Don’t stay out of your gifted area too long.” Be
it the classroom or kitchen, the halls of congress or the sacristy, we must follow the passion
God has implanted in our soul and do that for the sake of the Kingdom. A disciple is
necessarily a steward, one who furthers the mission of the Master. And Jesus came to
inaugurate and build the Kingdom. When we are agents of truth, charity, freedom, and justice,
we are participating in the building of God’s reign.
There is a deeper dimension in the call to serve. The servant becomes a friend. Jesus told
His apostles that, since they know what the Father’s will is, they are no longer servants but
friends. In the end, stewardship is about love – the reception and transmitting of that grace.
Stewardship and friendship go hand in hand: we serve out of love, we serve in love. And the
consequence is joy.
The Hindu, Mohandas Gandhi, offers this insight: “Service which is rendered without joy
helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into
nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.”
Jesus came to serve. We are invited to join Him in this noble adventure. If we do, then one
day we may hear those glorious words: “Well done, good and faithful steward.” And a
surprise might await us, namely, that our service will not be at an end when we die. Rather,
like St. Thèrése of Lisieux, we might say: “I will spend my heaven in doing good on earth.”
Once a steward, always a steward.
Week four
Sharing
Stewardship involves two haunting questions. One is found in Psalm 116, verse 12:
“What return can I make to the Lord for all that the Lord has done for me?” Everything we are
and have comes from the Lord; a return is expected of our time, talent, and treasure.
The other haunting question comes from a poem written by Antonio Machado: “What have
you done with the garden entrusted to you?” The image of a garden is most fitting in looking at
the stewardship way of life. Our God has entrusted to us not just one but many gardens: the
garden of our body, of our mind, of our soul; a social garden, a political garden, a cultural garden;
a garden of technology, a garden of our conscience, an intellectual garden. And there is one
more: our economic garden. What have we done, what are we doing, what will we do with all
these gardens?
Unfortunately, when thinking of what stewardship is all about many individuals limit
stewardship to the last garden: the garden of finances and money. Let it be said that this is a
crucial dimension of stewardship but it is one of many responsibilities. What makes it so
important is that it gives great specificity to one’s stewardship way of life. It is indicative of
other levels of accountability. Come the end of the year, our checkbook has it in black and white.
How generous or stingy was I in terms of sharing material resources?
Economic stewardship in action: a single mom with three children gives a witness talk and
tells how she gives three percent of her income to charities. Though she cannot afford to do that,
she states that God has been so good to her that she must share in this manner.
Economic stewardship in action: the widow in the Gospel gives her mite. Again, she is not in
a financial situation that this type of generosity makes sense. Yet her desire to make a return to
the Lord, even from her need, deeply impresses Jesus.
Economic stewardship in action: a parish council decides that 10% of the total parish budget
will be used for the charities outside the parish boundaries; an elderly farmer dies and leaves his
estate to the Salvation Army for their ministry; a lawyer offers half-a-day a week to the poor who
cannot afford legal fees.
It’s all about giving and not counting the cost. It’s all about generosity. The social activist,
Jim Wallis, maintains that our budget is a moral document. One of the great saints of the Church,
Basil the Great, offers this challenging opinion: “The money in your vaults belongs to the
destitute. You do injustice to every man you could help but did not.”
A closing story. A mother was trying to teach her ten-year-old about financial stewardship. In
the little girl’s bedroom were three jars: God’s jar, the college jar, and Kathy’s jar. Every week
when Kathy received her allowance of ten dimes she and her mother would march into the
bedroom and deposit one dime into God’s jar, one into the college jar, and then eight into Kathy’s
jar. After about a month, Kathy informed her mother that she didn’t think God really wanted her
dime and, secondly, she had decided she would not be going to college. Kathy wanted to retain
all ten dimes. Sound familiar?
The first and last lie we tell ourselves: “It’s mine.”
Week five
Commitment/pledging
Having a rule of life is not common. Yet, to live intentionally, that is, with a sense of purpose and
direction, a set of guidelines or a rule of life can be most helpful. The precepts in a rule of life
give us a standard to assess how we are living as stewards and whether or not we are making
progress. Stewardship as a way of life needs guidelines. Here is one possible model.
1. Take nothing for granted: all is gift.
A sense of entitlement is deadly for stewards. Until we see all as gift, we will
make demands on life that will lead to great frustration.
2. All belongs to the Lord. (Leviticus 27: 26, 30)
We are not absolute owners of anything. Ultimately, all belongs to
the Lord and we are caretakers and trustees of God’s many gifts.
3. “Tomorrow may be too late.” (St. Peter Julian Eymard)
There is urgency in a stewardship way of life. We are not to
procrastinate in receiving, nurturing and sharing God’s gifts.
4. The manner and time of giving is of great importance.
The manner of giving is graciously; the time of giving is now.
5. “Take only what ye need.” (George Eliot)
The distinction between need and want has become blurred. Great honesty is
needed to make decisive choices of what is necessary and what is extraneous
on this pilgrim journey.
6. Name your gift.
When are you happiest and most alive? Identifying these times is to identity your
gifted area. Do not leave your gifted area for any length of time.
7. Ask daily for the grace of generosity.
Stewardship is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit who empowers
us to be grateful and generous. It is not primarily something we do.
8. Find an accountability partner.
“Don’t travel alone” is good advice. Find someone who will challenge
you to give an accounting of your prayer, service, and sharing.
9. Log your time; log your treasure.
Have a special book in which you record the number of hours you
devote to stewardship; keep track of your financial giving as well.
10. Pray daily Psalm 116:12.
Once again that haunting question of how we can make a return
to the Lord for all that God has done and is doing for us.
Additional Stewardship Resources available at:
www.gbdioc.org
Department of Stewardship & Pastoral Services
August 2006
Developed and compiled for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
by the
Department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services
August, 2006
Prayers of Petition
Stewardship Campaign
Five Week Inspiration Phase
Additional resources can be found at
www.gbdioc.org
or contact us at:
[email protected]
920-272-8306
toll free at 1-877-500-3580 est. 8306
Department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services
Prayers of Petition
Inspiration Phase
Week Five
Commitment/Pledging
As a community of faith we gather at the table of the Lord
to celebrate Eucharist. As part of this gathering, we bring
our prayers of petition to our God. This collection of
prayers of petition is organized to follow the themes of the
five week Inspiration Phase of your parish’s stewardship
campaign.
Response: Lord of Everlasting Faithfulness,
hear our prayer.
Week One:
A)
That our Holy Father and all church leaders who
preach and teach God’s word become living
examples of God’s covenant with us, we pray to the
Lord,
B)
That every leader in government, that they will
honor and be true to their promise to bring peace and
reconciliation to their world, we pray to the Lord,
C)
That communities support, in deeds as well as word,
all who are in need of healing and comfort, we pray
to the Lord,
D)
That people we have offended, hurt and even
ignored accept reconciliation with us and with God,
we pray to the Lord,
E)
That the model of discipleship and commitment that
we all seek be found in the life of Mary, the first
disciple and in the communion of Saints who
followed after her and dedicated their lives to Christ,
we pray to the Lord,
Stewardship: A Way of Life
Week Two:
Prayer
Week Three:
Service
Week Four:
Sharing
Week Five:
Commitment/Pledging
Following the Inspiration Phase and Commitment Sunday,
the Liturgy Committee will want to follow up with prayers
of thanksgiving for the many gifts, blessings, and generous
sharing which took place in your parish.
Week Four
Sharing
Week One
Stewardship - A Way of Life
Response: Lord of Abundant Treasure, hear our prayer.
Response: Lord of all, hear our prayer.
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
For all pastors - bishops, priests, deacons and lay
people - that, like the apostles, they share their
wealth with joy and resources with enthusiasm, we
pray to the Lord,
A)
That the pastoral leaders of the church care for all of
creation and especially act as stewards of all those
entrusted to their leadership, we pray to the Lord,
B)
That people of every nation use natural resources
more wisely and treat creation more respectfully, we
pray to the Lord,
C)
For those who hunger to be nourished and those who
are fed but hunger for justice and equality, we pray
to the Lord,
D)
That the arms of the rich embrace the poor and that
all share their blessings with those less fortunate, we
pray to the Lord,
E)
For the members of this church, that we may serve
as true stewards, living witnesses of thanksgiving
and share with others the many fruits of our labor,
we pray to the Lord,
For local, national and world leaders, that they make
wise and prudent decisions for the good of the
community, we pray to the Lord,
That those who are deprived of the necessities of life
receive the nourishment necessary to experience
God’s blessings in abundance, we pray to the Lord,
For all those who work the earth and those who
work in difficult, unjust conditions, that they may
receive a just wage and a safe environment, we pray
to the Lord,
That the members of this assembly root out the
weeds of selfishness, we pray to the Lord,
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
Week Two
Prayer
Week Three
Service
Response: Lord Jesus, Teacher of Prayer,
hear our prayer.
Response: Prince of Peace and Justice, hear our prayer.
A)
For pastors, church leaders, and all lay ecclesial
ministers, that they faithfully carry out their duties
with joyful hearts, we pray to the Lord,
B)
For those who lead the nations of the world that they
might commit themselves anew to the cause of
justice and peace, we pray to the Lord,
C)
For those whose hearts are broken and those who
feel themselves sinking in a pit of hopelessness, that
they might know God’s closeness and healing, we
pray to the Lord,
That those who live lives of slavery to power tribes
understand that true life lies in love and service, we
pray to the Lord,
D)
For those who seek God in their lives that they
might find the strength and courage to speak of their
needs, we pray to the Lord,
That those who feed the hungry and shelter the
homeless see in them the face of Jesus, we pray to
the Lord,
E)
For all who gather at this table and all who have no
table at which to gather, that they may feel God’s
love through the service of the people around them,
we pray to the Lord,
That the ears of the world be opened to God’s word
and that all who carry God’s word into the world be
proclaimers of God’s love, we pray to the Lord,
That all governments of the world, ensure religious
freedom of expression for all citizens, we pray to the
Lord,
For the members of our community that all be ready
to profess God’s loving presence among us, we pray
to the Lord,
THEME SONG
What Return Shall We Make
By Vince Ambrosetti
The Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay holds a contract
with International Liturgy Publications for use of What Return Shall We
Make by Vince Ambrosetti for use as the diocesan wide theme song for
the Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission. This license enables
all parishes, schools, and other institutions within the Diocese of Green
Bay to reproduce the words and melody lines for a three year period
ending May 31, 2009. This license does not, however, include octavo or
accompaniment copies for use by a choir, song leaders, cantors,
instrumentalists, or other musicians.
These resources are to be purchased directly from:
International Liturgy Publications
P.O. Box 50476
Nashville TN 37205
615-599-4497
www.ilpmusic.org
The contract with International Liturgy Publications allows all parishes, schools, and other institutions in the Diocese of Green Bay
to reproduce the words, melody lines, and licensing information featured exactly as below. To request the .tif files for insertion
and resizing for use in your worship aids and other printed materials, e-mail the Stewardship and Pastoral Services Department at
[email protected]
What Return Shall We Make
Vince Ambrosetti
Developed for the Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
by The Department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services
August 2006
Lay Witness Talks
**With Grateful Acknowledgements**
adapted with the permission of the
Stewardship and Development Office
Diocese of Davenport
Guidelines
and
Tips-Techniques-How-To’s
The Role of the Lay Witness
One of the most effective means of
presenting the stewardship message is through a lay
witness talk. This talk is usually given during mass after
communion by people who are already practicing
stewardship in their own lives. It may be given by an
individual or a couple. In some cases, even the children
may participate. The lay witness presentation has two
purposes: to inspire people to become good stewards and
to share real life examples of how stewardship is lived
out as a way of life.
Constructing a Presentation
1. The presentation should be six-eight minutes long,
clear and concise.
2. Acknowledge that stewardship is more than the
sharing of money but clarify and be clear as to which
stewardship concept you have been asked to address.
Does the pastor/parish director or committee chair
want you to specifically focus on any one aspect of
stewardship: prayer, service, or sharing?
2
Thank You!
The most important goal of living a life based
on the principles of stewardship is a deepening
of faith—a spiritual conversion. Sharing your
spiritual journey with other members of your
parish community is a unique and very personal
gift; a true statement of your commitment to
stewardship as a way of life. Thank you!
Suggested Reading
U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Pastoral Letter
Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response (1992)
available on line at www.usccb.org/stewardship/index.htm
At Home With The Word
Sunday Scriptures and Scripture Insights
Published yearly by Liturgy Training Publications
inquire with parish staff
7
5
A Checklist of Reminders
for the day of the talk
3. Tell a story about your stewardship journey; people tend
to relate well to personal stories. Your experiences may
inspire others to make changes. Consider these story
starters:
•
•
1. Plan to arrive at least 15—20 minutes before the
scheduled Mass time.
2. Check in with the celebrant before liturgy begins.
Be sure to confirm any logistics such as:
a) Where you will be standing while presenting?
b) Where should you sit – near the altar or in a front pew?
c) Will you be processing in with the celebrant, altar
servers, and other liturgical ministers?
d) If nervousness makes your throat dry, ask for a glass
of water to place in an unobtrusive place and don’t
hesitate to use it if you need it!
5. Be prepared to greet people after Mass at the
back of the church. This is an opportunity to chat
informally with parishioners who may want to meet
you. Graciously respond to any feedback offered.
•
•
•
What is my first remembered experience of stewardship?
What was my initial reaction to the concept?
Why did I accept stewardship as a way of life?
How has stewardship made a difference in my life?
What have been the benefits of stewardship in my life?
4. Read the scriptures for the day you are speaking and
refer to them if possible. Consider including some
comments from the U.S Catholic Conference of Bishops’
1992 Pastoral Letter Stewardship-A Disciple’s Response
but resist “over-quoting” to your “audience.”
5. Avoid using numbers and statistics as “guilt-trips.”
6. Ask your “audience” point blank to prayerfully consider
becoming better stewards of their blessings.
7. Pray – prepare from your heart.
8. Include a “thank-you” to the pastor/parish director for
the opportunity to speak and thank the parishioners for
their past generosity and support.
9. Please provide the pastor/parish director with a copy of
your presentation in advance.
6
3
Some Do’s
1. Do emphasize the sense of peace that comes
when we put God first in our prayers, service,
and sharing.
2. Do explain that stewardship touches every
area of our lives; how we share with our
family, friends, workplace, and community as
well as our church (parish and diocese.)
3. Do talk about the need each of us has to give
back in gratitude.
4 Do share your struggles with stewardship as
well as your triumphs. People will appreciate
your honesty and be more receptive if they
sense an identification with you.
5. Do speak slowly, loudly and clearly. Your
message is lost if people cannot understand.
Make eye contact with people in all the
sections of the church.
6. Do dress appropriately.
4
Some Don’ts
1. Don’t talk in “bargaining” terms.
(“I gave this and God gave me this in return.”)
2. Don’t stress church needs, budgets, or parish
assessments.
3. Don’t talk in dollar or time amounts: “If everyone
could give $10 a week.” or “We need $2 more a
week from everyone.” or “Everyone should give 3
more hours.”
4. Don’t use threats of possible consequences
stemming from the failure to give: “We won’t be
able to heat or air-condition the church.” or “We
will have to cut programs.”
5. Don’t suggest that stewardship is mandatory or an
obligation.
6. Don’t forget to reflect on the many blessings you
have received. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your
thoughts and words as you begin craft your
presentation and stewardship message.
5
“Considering Our Way of Life”
My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As your bishop, I am both blessed and challenged in a very special way to serve all of you as well as the
broader community in Northeast Wisconsin.
Since my appointment to the Diocese of Green Bay, I have been inspired by the multitude of ways this
local church lives out its faith every day. Through your commitment to prayer, to selfless service, and to
generous sharing, the mission of the church is made tangible here in Northeast Wisconsin, in your homes,
your workplaces, your communities; and let’s not forget your response and support to both national and
international efforts.
As a bishop, it is my calling, my vocation, and my responsibility to Advance the Mission
of the Church – the mission of Jesus Christ. To bear this awesome responsibility alone
would be unthinkable; knowing I share this responsibility with each of you transforms
it into a joy and blessing.
The society in which we live makes many demands on our time, our attention,
and our resources. The influence of popular culture and shifting mores creates
challenges for us as members of the Body of Christ – the Church. We know the gospel
message has not yet been shared with everyone and consequently, the reign of God - the
Kingdom of God, is not yet fully realized in our own hearts, our own households, the
greater community. It is important to take time to retreat from the busyness of our lives, to pause, to
consider our own way of life. We all need to set aside some time to take a deep breath and ask the Holy
Spirit to guide our choices and directions.
Over the next several weeks, I invite you to take a step or two back from the busyness of your life, to begin
a journey with me and all the members of your parish into a prayerful discussion with God. Together, as a
Catholic community, through prayer and thoughtful reflection and discussions, we can find new ways
towards Advancing the Mission – this mission of Jesus.
This new campaign, Advancing the Mission, builds on what our stewardship initiatives began some ten
years ago – encouraging Catholics to see life through a lens of gratitude for all God has given to each of us
and in response, choose to live a stewardship way of life marked by prayer, service, and generous sharing.
If we are successful in this journey of faith – hearts will open, minds will change, and lives will be
transformed. Imagine how much farther Advancing the Mission, the mission of Jesus, here in Northeast
Wisconsin and beyond will carry us on our journey to heaven! I am grateful that you and I are fellow
travelers on this journey.
Grateful for our belief that “Nothing Is Impossible with God” I remain,
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
“Prayer: Raising Our Minds & Hearts to God”
My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
In my previous letter to you, I invited you to slow down a bit, to find some time and space to step aside from
the busyness of everyday life and join me in a journey of faith. Together I hope we can explore the possibilities
of strengthening our Catholic lifestyles – lives marked by prayer, service and sharing. Embracing “stewardship
as a way of life” will enable us in further Advancing the Mission of Jesus.
Please allow me to use an image of a three-legged stool to illustrate the concept of “stewardship as a way of
life.” To support our stool as a model of stewardship, we need three legs all equal in size and strength: one leg
for prayer, one for service and one for sharing. If any of the legs are out of balance, longer, or shorter than the
others, the stool will be off kilter - out of balance.
Without emphasis on prayer, our three legged stewardship stool cannot stand; it may
wobble or even collapse. So too, in our own lives, if we neglect, put-off, or ignore the need
to devote quality time to prayer and reflection – our ability to support our Catholic lifestyle
will be similarly affected.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that prayer is “Raising our minds and hearts to
God…,” Through prayer we grow in our relationship with God and God grows in
relationship with us. Prayer can take on many forms: blessing and adoration, petition,
intercession, thanksgiving and praise. The Church invites and strongly encourages all to
make daily prayer and Sunday Eucharist cornerstones in our “way of life” as Catholics.
Catholics who lead the “way of life” known as stewardship devote time every day to prayers of praise and
thanksgiving. They intentionally create quality time, as well as find bits and pieces in the nooks and crannies
of their daily lives, to dedicate to prayer. These stewardship minded folks gratefully acknowledge and affirm
that every thing they have is truly a gift from God and they recognize the call to be good stewards of these
many blessings and gifts. Through prayers of thanksgiving, they cultivate the “attitude of gratitude” that
animates the life of a true steward.
As we become more and more aware of the many gifts God has given us, our prayers of thanksgiving turn into
prayers of petition. We ask for guidance to help us discern just what does God want us to do with all these gifts
we have been given We stand before our God and ask “What is it Lord, what might you want to accomplish
through me and my life? You have blessed me with time, talent, and treasure – how might I use them in
Advancing the Mission – Your mission here on earth?” We wait for God’s answer, God’s response.
Grateful for our belief that “Nothing Is Impossible with God” I remain,
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
“Talk is Cheap”
My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
In last week’s letter, I shared some thoughts and ideas on prayer. We grow in our awareness of the
countless gifts and blessings we have been given through time spent in prayer and reflection. In addition, if
we listen carefully, we will hear how God wants us to make use of those gifts in Advancing the Mission of
the Church, to continue to realize the Kingdom of God here, today, in our world.
I so hope you were able to spend some additional quality time in prayer this past week; time spent opening
your heart and mind to the Holy Spirit and that you find yourself now ready to take the next step in our
reflection on Catholic Stewardship. Remember my image of the three-legged stool? The second leg that
supports Stewardship as a Way of Life is one of service.
The old adage goes, ”Talk is cheap—actions speak louder than words.” This must have
been penned by a true steward! With our increasing awareness of the many gifts with
which God has blessed us, we seek to return to God, in both small and great ways, a
proportion of these gifts through acts of service. Stewards are called to use their time and
talents in service to our families, our friends, our parish, the greater community in which
we live, as well as the world, through acts of volunteerism.
In Matthew’s Gospel 25:31-46, we find a compelling last judgment scene. This passage
challenges each of us to consider what it will be like to stand before God and be asked,
“What did you do with the gifts you were given? How did you use your time and talents to
serve others?” If God asked us today to review our pocket planners, palm pilots, or family calendars, what
evidence of our commitment to serve in God’s name might be found?
Service can take many shapes and forms. Depending on your own unique individual life situation, the
primary arena for service may be to members of your own household – to children or to aging parents. For
some, it may be in the workplace, in service and care for co-workers, customers, or clients. And for others,
God’s call to service may be at or through the parish or a non-profit organization in the greater community.
Your efforts to serve your neighbors, to build God’s kingdom, Advancing the Mission, regardless of specific
details, are to be affirmed.
The challenge I would like all of us to consider this week is to take a long look at our personal calendars and
our busy, busy lives and prayerfully evaluate how we might strengthen our commitments to serving others.
Listen carefully for the promptings of God’s spirit. God has blessed each and every one of us with unique
talents, skills, and gifts we can share. Let us be intentional in responding to an additional allocation of time,
of care and concern for others through some new or different way of service.
As Mother Teresa once said,“ None of us can do everything but each of us can do something.” As I travel
around the diocese, I look forward to hearing how or where this week’s stewardship challenge leads each of
you in Advancing the Mission, the mission of Jesus.
Grateful for our belief that “Nothing Is Impossible with God” I remain,
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
“$haring”
My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Over the past several weeks, I have shared some thoughts on Stewardship – A Way of Life marked by prayer, service
and sharing. I used a three–legged stool as an image and during weeks one and two we explored the prayer and service
“legs.” This week I offer you some thoughts and ideas on sharing - the third and equally important leg of the
stewardship stool model.
Without beating around the bush, allow me to be upfront with you and say that when I talk about generous sharing,
what indeed I am asking you is to consider a more generous sharing of your material wealth – yes – the financial assets
with which you have been blessed. Some of you are probably saying to yourself right now, “I knew this was really
about fund-raising and not about living a Catholic lifestyle; all that prayer and service stuff was just
a smoke screen.”
If you are one of those folks who still see Stewardship as only a fund-raising program, please
reread my previous letters. I pray you will consider my invitation to the possibility of letting God
work through you, in prayer and service, in new and wonderful ways. I pray you will consider my
invitation to be open to the possibility of conversion – a change of heart that will lead to a new
mindset, attitude, and approach to the use of all the gifts God has given you to tend to, care for, and
“steward” while you are here on this earth.
We must be honest and admit that one of the most tangible gifts you and I have been blessed with
is indeed the gift of money. In the Gospels, Jesus frequently references money. He reminds us,
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.” (Mt 6:21) He also shares the powerful story of
the widow whose two small pennies were proportionally greater than the seemingly significant donations of so many
others. (Mk 12:41-44)
In some respects, generous sharing is often seen as one of easiest aspects of living Stewardship as a Way of Life. It can
be relatively easy to write a check out of our excess funds - a simple, single, quick and easy act and we are done with
it. This simple, single, quick and easy act however, is not the faith based Stewardship approach to sharing.
This week, consider taking a good, long look at your checkbook through the eyes of faith. What does your register say
about where your treasure is, where your heart is? What is it that God wants to do through you to renew your parish
and the greater Church through your generous sharing?
The Stewardship approach challenges each and every one of us to a change of heart, a new approach, and new attitude
when it comes to stewarding or managing the gift of money with which we have been blessed. We are challenged to
prayerfully consider how God wants us to use our money in Advancing the Mission, the mission of Jesus. Consider
giving, not from excess or extra funds, but giving from the first fruits; giving a proportionate amount and regular
percentage in service to the Church and the greater community. We are challenged to go beyond convenient, safe, and
conservative giving to sacrificial sharing. We are challenged to be people of faith, hope and trust in a God who will
repay us a hundredfold for our generosity.
Grateful for our belief that “Nothing Is Impossible with God” I remain,
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
“If You Dare - Commit”
My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Over the past several weeks, we have been reflecting on Stewardship. Together we have considered the
various aspects of such a way of life using the image of a three legged stool; three, equally important “legs”
of prayer, service, and sharing are necessary to support a balanced, well-grounded stool. I have encouraged
you to call upon the Spirit of God through prayer, to be open to a change of heart, no longer believing we
actually “own” our many gifts and blessings. I hope I have encouraged you to consider a new mindset, or
better yet, a new “heartset” as caretakers of these many gifts and blessings in Advancing the Mission—the
mission of Jesus here on earth.
As I reflected on what I might say in this last letter to you, I am reminded of the story of
the Rich Young Man in Matthew’s Gospel 19:16-26. A young man approaches Jesus and
inquires as to what he must do to obtain everlasting life. Jesus asks if he follows the
commandments to which the young man says he does indeed. Jesus then instructs the
young man to give away all his many riches and live as a disciple of Jesus. The young
man turns away; he cannot bring himself to take that next step and give himself fully to
the Lord.
It is my hope and prayer that our exploration of Stewardship as a Way of Life through my
letters to you will assist you in turning more fully to the Lord through your own
commitment to prayer, service, and sharing. It is my hope that through prayer you
develop your relationship with God and nurture a greater attitude of gratitude for the
many gifts you have received from God. It is my hope that you can turn more fully towards God through a
greater use of your time and talent in service to the Church and in the community in which you live. And
finally, it is my hope that you will take an honest look at how you are using your treasure – your financial
assets and have begun to make changes to the ways you share it.
In the end, the choice is yours. Awareness is the first step to a change in thinking; to consider a change of
heart, to consider embracing a lifestyle marked by new levels of prayer, service and sharing. Yet before any
real change can take place, a commitment is necessary; a commitment to translating this newfound
awareness into a concrete plan of action.
As part of either your morning or evening prayers this week, my final invitation to you is to consider taking
the risk to stand before the Lord and ask, “What is it Lord, what do you want to do through my life?” Listen
carefully. Have trust, know God will provide you whatever you need to follow through on what God is
calling you to do. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for joining with me in
Advancing the Mission—the mission of Jesus.
Grateful for our belief that “Nothing Is Impossible with God” I remain,
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
Bulletin Fillers
Scripture Passages
Clip Art
Stewardship Quotes
developed for the
Five Week Inspiration Phase
Introduction
This collection of clip art, stewardship quotes, and
selections from scripture are organized to follow the
themes of the five week inspiration phase of the
Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission.
Week
Week
Week
Week
Week
One:
Two:
Three:
Four:
Five:
Stewardship as a Way of Life
Prayer
Service
Sharing
Commitment
Consider using these gathered resources:
in the Sunday bulletin
as prayer starters
as homily helps
in lay witness talks
in the parish newsletter
on the parish web site
with campaign awareness publicity pieces.
Developed by the
Stewardship and Pastoral Services Department
August 2006
To obtain an electronic file of any of the enclosed quotes or clipart for quick
and easy insertion into materials developed locally, please email us at
[email protected]
or call us at ext. 8310 on our toll free line
1-877-500-3580
Week one
Stewardship As A Way of Life
Stewardship opens an avenue of thought that
allows us to give without always questioning
what we will get in return. Every one of us
is talented in some way; stewardship
encourages us to use any talent we have to
benefit another individual, the Church or our
community. “How can I repay the Lord for
(Psalms 116:12)
all good done for me?”
Stewardship is a way of life, a way of
thanking God for all God’s blessings by
returning a portion of the time, talent and
treasure allotted to us through gifts of
prayer, service, and sharing.
Christian Stewardship provides a
spirituality that one can take home
from church, exercise at work, and
express through personal
involvement in the community and
church. Stewardship is not joboriented or project-minded. It is a
way of life.
Stewardship
A Way of Life
Week one
Stewardship As A Way of Life
We are all stewards – managers of the many
gifts God has bestowed upon us. Our
challenge as Christians is to make good use
of those gifts as we pray, serve, and share.
“It is more blessed to give than receive.”
(Acts 20:35)
Those who practice stewardship
recognize God as the origin of life, the
giver of freedom, the source of all that
one has and all that one is. In a life
committed to stewardship we are called to
“possess lightly.” Jesus taught about the
dangers of clutching to material
possessions, and pointed to the real
treasures available to us in life.
Week TWO
Prayer
Jesus asks us to commit ourselves to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us,
to serve, to share our treasure, and strengthen our prayer life as an outward sign of
the love and gratitude we have for him. How much time have you spent this week
in prayer for others, for the work of the Church? Can you think of ways you might
increase the time you can devote to prayer, reflection or spiritual reading?
Prayer is when you talk to God,
meditation is when you listen to God.
Anonymous
If we accept the challenge of putting God first in
our service and sharing, our attitudes, priorities
and prayer lives will definitely change.
Prayer does not change God but more importantly, it
changes the one doing the praying. Soren Kierkegaard
Week TWO
prayer
All of us are called to be good stewards of
our time, but to different causes or activities
according to God’s specific call. One way
to discern God’s call is through prayer and
reflection, alone as well as with others.
God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the
Mother Teresa
beginning of prayer.
The value of consistent prayer is not that God will
William McGill
hear us, but that we will hear God.
Stewardship involves the conscientious,
firm decision, carried out constantly in
action, to conduct one’s self as a follower
of Jesus, regardless of the cost.
“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
In all circumstances give thanks, for
this is the will of God for you in
(Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Christ Jesus”
Week THREE
service
Have you ever taken a moment to figure out how much time, on the
average, you spend a week volunteering in your church or in your community?
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, God is pleased by
(Hebrews 13:16)
sacrifices of that kind.”
Whatever time we have is a gift from
God and we are asked to use it
wisely, to serve God and others.
God has given each of us some special abilities. It is important that we
use them to help one another, passing on to others the many blessings
that God has given us. “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve
(1 Peter 4:10)
one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Week THREE
Service
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs...Feed my sheep.”
(John 21: 15-17)
Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul,
and with all your mind...you shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)
In our daily lives, we manage our family and work responsibilities. But to become
occupied with these important matters to the exclusion of the need of others
outside our home or work, is a mistake we could carry into eternity.
Week FOUR
sharing
“They gave from their surplus wealth, but she gave from
(Mark 12:44)
her want, all that she had to live on.”
Stewards do not share because they can afford it;
they share because of a desire to support others.
“Consider this! Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever
sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined,
(2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Week FOUR
sharing
Some Christian stewards choose the
biblical norm of sharing ten percent of their
income. Some, because of circumstances, give
more than that. Others might start at two, three,
or four percent, and work upwards.
Stewardship of sharing asks only a
percentage of income. People will find
that when they trust God and return a
certain percentage of their income to the
church and other charities, they can live
adequately on the rest of their income.
Week FIVE
COMMITMENT/pledge
A commitment to a life of Stewardship
includes counting our blessings,
acknowledging God’s gifts and expressing
thanks to God by a proportionate giving of
our prayer, service, and sharing. “Moreover,
God is able to make every grace abundant for
you, so that in all things, always having all
you need, you may have an abundance for
(2 Corinthians 9:8)
every good work.”
As you prepare your pledge and
commitment of prayer, service, and
sharing consider Luke 6:38
“Give and gifts will be given to you ... for
the measure with which you measure will
in return be measured out to you.”
Bring Forth
Your Commitment
A life of prayer, service and sharing are learned responses. As
parents, grandparents, or other adult role models, consider
involving the young people you care about in your discussions
and decision making process in regards to your commitment of
prayer, service, and sharing to the parish. It’s an opportunity to
share your values, your beliefs, your example.
Week FIVE
Commitment/pledge
Commit a pledge of prayer, service and
sharing in solidarity with Catholics throughout
the Diocese of Green Bay, together advancing
the mission, building God’s kingdom.
Those who practice stewardship as a way of
life see themselves as caretakers of God’s
gifts. They are grateful for what they have
received and are eager to share their gifts of
prayer, service, and sharing
out of love for God and one another.
A Five Week Daily
Personal Prayer Journey
for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
References
“Stewardship: A Disciple's Response,” 1992 Pastoral Letter of the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops. See www.usccb.org/stewardship
Out of the Ordinary © 2000 by Joyce Rupp.
Used by permission of Ave Maria Press. See www.avemariapress.com
Send My Roots Rain © 2003 by Megan McKenna.
Used by permission of DoubleDay. See www.randomhouse.com/doubleday
National Catholic Reporter. See www.natcath.com
Mere Christianity © 2001 by C.S. Lewis. Reprint by Harper Collins.
See www.harpercollins.com
written by
Joan C. McKeown
for the
Decree of the Apostolate of the Laity—Apostolicam Actuositatem.
Promulgated by John Paul VI; November 1965. See www.vatican.va/archives
Columban Missions Magazine © February 2006 by Rev. John Burger.
Used by permission. See www.columban.org
Department of Stewardship & Pastoral Services
This booklet was designed to guide readers through the five
weeks of the Inspirational Phase of the Stewardship
Campaign: Advancing the Mission. The focus topics for the
Inspirational Phase are:
Week One:
Week Two:
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Stewardship as a Way of Life
Prayer
Service
Sharing
Commitment/Pledging
It is our hope and prayer that your commitment to
this five week journey of quiet reflection and
contemplation on stewardship themes will lead you
to new insights truly inspired by God.
Points to Ponder
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, and a
roof overhead . . . you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a
dish some place . . . you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.
If you woke up this morning healthy . . . you are more blessed
than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of
imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation . . .
you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a religious service without fear of harassment,
arrest, torture, or death . . . you are more blessed than three
billion people in the world.
If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them, or even touch them on the
shoulder . . . you are blessed because you can offer a healing touch.
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two
billion people in the world that cannot read at all.
Anonymous
2
39
Week Five – Commitment/Pledging
SATURDAY
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The Hidden God
Leave this chanting and singing and telling of beads,
Whom do you worship in this lonely dark corner of the temple with all the
doors shut?
Open your eyes and see that God is not in front of you.
He is there where the farmer is tilling the hard ground and where the laborer is
breaking stones.
He is with them in the sun and the rain and his garment is covered with dust.
Put off your holy cloak and like him come down on to the dusty soil.
Deliverance? Where will you find deliverance?
Our master himself has joyfully taken on the bonds of creation; he is bound
with us forever.
Come out of your meditations and leave aside the flowers and the incense;
What harm is there if your clothes become tattered and stained?
Meet him and stand by him in toil and in the sweat of your brow.
by Rabindranath Tagore
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do
the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.”
John 14:12
Megan McKenna writes in her book Send My Roots Rain:
“Jesus’ own words vividly describe who we are and how we are to live.
Our times call for a response of Spirit and grace to the crying needs of
individuals and the world. We must begin with ourselves, our parishes, and
our communities.
The future of the church depends on each of us, each of our communities,
responding in the power of the Spirit, under the challenge of the Scripture,
with the support of other communities, to the realities of our times. No less is
asked of us, and no more.
What we do or do not do in the immediate future will say a great deal to
our children and to the earth. We must have something helpful and freeing to
say to them. We must offer ethical responses to the demands of our day. If we
are to follow Jesus so that others can see and take heart, we must begin again
at the beginning, as novices, new Christians, followers of the Way.”
How will you begin again?
What will you do now, not in the future, but now, today,
this week, in response to the stewardship campaign?
38
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus challenged the
Apostles to go forward and make disciples
of all nations (Matthew 28:19) . In doing so,
Jesus entrusted them with the awesome
responsibility of continuing his work, of
Advancing His Mission.
Here in our diocese, each individual and family has been asked to
consider prayerfully how they can assist in advancing the mission, to
renew and grow the Church. This stewardship campaign will afford
each member of the Church of Green Bay the opportunity to ask God,
“What do you want to accomplish through me?” Relying on God’s
will and grace on what is the personal answer to that question will
undoubtedly generate amazing responses, a deeper relationship with
God and a deeper relationship the Church.
Through prayer and reflection, we know that God has gifted us with
talents and resources that we can generously share with others.
This five week Daily Prayer Booklet has been designed to help in that
process; six to ten minute reflections on the stewardship themes of
prayer, service, and sharing are found within. I invite you to join me
in the use of this prayer guide. I am truly excited about the
possibilities that will unfold and be revealed to us as individuals, as
families, as parish communities, and as the Church of Green Bay.
Grateful for the belief that “Nothing is Impossible
with God,” I am,
Your Brother in Christ,
Most Reverend David A. Zubik
3
Week One – Stewardship as a Way of Life
SUNDAY
“The earth is the Lord’s and all it holds, the world and all who live there.”
Psalm 24:1
History. Some people find it fascinating. For others, the word alone causes
shivers to run down their spines. Too many names, dates, and places to keep
straight!
But history is not just about dates and events. History is actually a study of
His-story, God’s story, because God is the ultimate creator of time, places,
and people.
You and I - everyone – past, present, and future – lives in God’s story. And
like the characters in the stories written by the best novelists, when our turn
comes to enter the story, we each have a vital role to play.
What has been your role in God’s story?
Everything on this earth comes from God and belongs to God. This is fairly
obvious when we marvel at the beauty of the sunset or the majesty of the
mountains – things that no human is able to create.
Likewise, we often use phrases like “God-given talent” in describing the
works of people like Mozart and Michelangelo.
But do we acknowledge (without being prompted!) that the crops we might
grow and the skyscrapers we might build are also the result of “God-given
talent?”
To paraphrase the song “Every breath we take, every move we make” is
possible because God made it so and God wills it to continue; it is indeed,
God’s story.
Thank you, God, for the air we breathe…
may we keep it smog-free!
Thank you, God, for the water we drink…
may we keep it pure and clean!
Thank you, God, for making ME…
may I never forget that all that I have
and all that I do truly belongs to you!
What could your role in God’s story be?
Week Five – Commitment/Pledging
FRIDAY
Fr. John Burger wrote in the February 2006 edition of the Columban Missions
magazine:
“They said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who
is to come, or should we look for another?’ He said to them in reply. ‘Go and
tell John what you have seen and heard: The blind regain their sight, the lame
walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor
have the good news proclaimed to them.’”
Luke 7:20, 22
As far back as the Exodus, there is plenty of evidence that God has been on
the side of the poor and wants His people to be there also.
“You shall not molest or oppress an alien for you yourselves were once aliens in Egypt.”
Exodus 22:20
This short sentence is as full of meaning for us in our day as it was when it
was written three millennia ago.
In Chapter 7 of the Gospel of St. Luke, the disciples of John came to Jesus,
trying to determine what He was about. Jesus told them to make up their minds
about Him according to what He was doing and who He was helping.
I think it would be truly wonderful if people of other faiths and no faith could
look at Catholic Christians in action and from what they see, come to an
understanding of what we truly believe. Let’s pray the day will soon come when
the face we present to the world is the face of a people who, like the Good
Samaritan, is moved by compassion.
But is our compassion genuine if our heart goes out to someone in a bad
situation while we deliberately close our eyes to how that situation came about?
Injustice and poverty rarely come about only by misfortune or accident. They
are precipitated by structural problems, such as corruption in society or the gross
misuse of political and economic power. Poverty and the suffering that
accompanies it are often the result of sinful societal structures. It is
overwhelming, but we cannot allow it to overwhelm us.
The tradition we have received from the prophets and saints calls for us to
reach out to individuals and groups who are abandoned, excluded and oppressed.
They are special to God, and if we join forces with them, we will share His
special blessing.”
When people look at you “in action” what would their conclusions be?
What will your commitment to prayer, service, and sharing look like?
4
37
Week Five – Commitment/Pledging
THURSDAY
Week One – Stewardship as a Way of Life
Soup Suppers: Not Just For Lent Any More
In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established
as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations
shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.”
Ralph and Judy had been taking their children, to their parish’s Lenten
Soup Suppers since the children were small. One day a week during Lent, the
parish served a Soup Supper followed by Stations of the Cross. There was no
charge for this simple meal of soup and bread. People were simply asked to
make a free will offering, with the suggestion they give whatever it would
have cost to feed their family that night.
Then came the night of the “dilemma” – actually two dilemmas. Joe’s
12th birthday was on a Soup Supper night, but they always went to dinner at
their favorite restaurants to celebrate birthdays. It was Joe that made the
decision: “I choose St. Matthew’s Soup Supper.” So, that decision was made,
but… how much should they put in the offering? The usual $10? Or, the $50
they would have spent at the restaurant?
Joe said, “It’s a no-brainer, Dad. This is my birthday dinner. It would
have cost $50, so, $50 it is.” They felt so good that night that as each of their
birthdays rolled around, they celebrated with a simple soup supper at home,
donating $50 to a local food pantry.
To continue their new tradition, once a month, they hold a family soup
supper, and donate $75 to the food pantry.
“He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you; eat this
scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth
and he gave me the scroll to eat. Son of man, he then said to me, feed
your belly and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you. I ate it,
and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. He said: Son of man, go now
to the house of Israel, and speak my words to them.”
Ezekiel 2:1-4
Like Ezekiel, when we fill our beings with the word of God, it becomes
second nature to us to do his will. Sometimes that might mean telling others
about the wonders of God. More often, it means showing them God loves
through our actions.
What actions of prayer, service, and sharing can you commit to in
an effort to bring the love of God to others?
36
MONDAY
Isaiah 2:2-4
When I was a child, our family would take day trips from our home town to
northern Minnesota. Because I was one of the oldest, I had the privilege of
being one of my dad’s map-readers.
Driving along, dad would ask for the name of the next town, the distance to
that town, or the name of the next road we would cross. We would calculate
the distance to our destination, or how far we would have to go if we took a
side trip. Not only did I become an expert map-reader, but I learned many
other life-lessons during these trips, such as:
• If you don’t know your destination, you’ll never know if you’re on the
right path.
• Many roads may lead to your destination, but some are easier to travel.
• Detours aren’t necessarily a bad thing; they may hold an adventure.
• If you get lost, seek help!
When was the last time you checked to see if your
life-path is leading you to your desired destination?
What can you do if the current life-path is not leading you there?
Ultimately, we each want to walk in God’s path, to follow God’s ways but
sometimes lose our way
We forget the critical importance of that phrase from Isaiah “that he may
instruct us in his ways.”
Early Christians were often referred to as followers of “The Way” Scripture
describes their life-style:
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to
the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.
They would sell their property and possessions and divide them
among all according to each one’s needs.
Acts 2:42, 45
Instruction, communal support, sacraments and prayer, sharing possessions
(not just “wealth” or “abundance” but basic necessities) concern for the needs
of all.
How well do you follow “The Way” today?
5
Week One – Stewardship as a Way of Life
TUESDAY
Week Five – Commitment/Pledging
WEDNESDAY
“You have been told what is good, and what the Lord
requires of you: only to do the right, to love goodness,
and to walk humbly with your God.”
“At the present time, with the development of more rapid facilities for
communication, with the barrier of distance separating men greatly reduced,
with the inhabitants of the entire globe becoming one great family, these
charitable activities and works have become more urgent and universal.
Wherever there are people in need of food and drink, clothing, housing,
medicine, employment or education, wherever men lack the facilities
necessary for living a truly human life or are afflicted with serious distress or
illness or suffer exile or imprisonment, there Christian charity should seek
them out and find them, console them with great solicitude and help them
with appropriate relief.
This obligation is imposed above all upon every prosperous nation and
person.
In order that the exercise of charity on this scale may be unexceptional in
appearance as well as in fact, it is altogether necessary that one should
consider in one’s neighbor the image of God in which he has been created,
and also Christ the Lord to whom is really offered whatever is given to a
needy person.
It is also imperative that the freedom and dignity of the person being
helped be respected with the utmost consideration, that the purity of one’s
charitable intentions be not stained by seeking one’s own advantage or by
striving for domination, and especially that the demands of justice be satisfied
lest the giving of what is due in justice be represented as the offering of a
charitable gift. Not only the effects but also the causes of these ills must be
removed, and the help should be given in such a way that the recipients may
gradually be freed from dependence on outsiders and become self-sufficient.
Therefore, the laity should hold in high esteem and, according to their
ability, aid the works of charity and projects for social assistance, whether
public or private.”
Micah 6:8
If you live in Wisconsin, you know snow! Fat, fluffy flakes, soundlessly
hitting the ground. What does a snowflake weigh?
Catch one. Catch two. Catch ten. Their weight is so miniscule, it’s
indiscernible.
But, watch as hundreds fall, then thousands, millions… A shovel-full
becomes too heavy to lift. Branches crack and break unable to bear the
weight. Roads are clogged; walking takes more energy than it’s worth! And,
when they melt, they fill the streams, saturating the ground so spring crops
can grow.
We are like the snowflakes. Alone we might think we have no discernible
impact on the world. But when we add our efforts to the efforts of others, the
impact can be extraordinary.
Are you ready to add your prayer, your service, your sharing to help your
parish or community impact the needs of those around you or the larger
world? Are you meant to be that first snowflake, starting a new endeavor that
will gather the resources of others together in addressing an unmet need?
Remember: It all starts with one snowflake!
Clear and concise, Micah 6:8 applies as much today as it did 2,800 years
ago when first written.
“You have been told what is good…” We have been told by priests,
teachers, parents, and TV commercials. Which voices are you listening to?
“...what the Lord requires of you” Not “recommends” or “suggests” but
requires!
“… to do the right, to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Only if you feel like it? Only when you want to? Only if you are as wealthy
as Oprah?
Jesus’ answer to those questions has been referred to as The Golden Rule:
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
6
From the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity of Vatican Council II, No. 8
“I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, God’s dwelling
is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be
his people and God himself will always be with them. He will wipe
every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or
mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”
Luke 6:31
Revelation 21:3-4
What would Jesus do? Really, what would Jesus do?
What will you pledge to do to assist in bringing about
justice and not just charity?
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Week Five – Commitment/Pledging
TUESDAY
In 1952, C.S. Lewis wrote in his book “Mere Christianity”:
If you have sound nerves and intelligence and health and popularity and a
good upbringing, you are likely to be quite satisfied with your character as it
is, “Why drag God into it?” you may ask. A certain level of good conduct
comes fairly easily to you. Everyone says you are a nice chap and (between
ourselves) you agree with them.
You are quite likely to believe that all this niceness is your own doing:
you may easily not feel the need for any better kind of goodness. Often
people who have all these natural kinds of goodness cannot be brought to
recognize their need for Christ at all until, one day, the natural goodness lets
them down and their self-satisfaction is shattered. In other words, it is hard
for those who are “rich” in this sense to enter the Kingdom.
If you are a nice person – if virtue comes easily to you – beware! Much is
expected from those to whom much is given. If you mistake for your own
merits what are really God’s gifts to you through nature, and if you are
contented with simply being nice, you are still a rebel: and all those gifts will
only make your fall more terrible, your corruption more complicated, your
bad example more disastrous.
“Niceness” – wholesome, integrated personality – is an excellent thing.
We must try by every medical, educational, economic and political means in
our power, to produce a world where as many people as possible grow up
“nice”; just as we must try to produce a world where all have plenty to eat.
But we must not suppose that even if we succeeded in making everyone
nice we should have saved their souls. A world of nice people, content in
their own niceness, looking no further, turned away from God, would be just
as desperately in need of salvation as a miserable world – and might be more
difficult to save.
For mere improvement is not redemption, though redemption always
improves people even here and now and will, in the end, improve them to a
degree we cannot yet imagine. God became man to turn creatures into sons:
not simply to produce better men of the old kind but to produce a new kind of
man. It is not like teaching a horse to jump better and better but like turning a
horse into a winged creature.
“Much will be expected of the person entrusted with much, and still
more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
Luke 12:48
What might be expected of you? Nice alone is not enough!
34
Week One – Stewardship as a Way of Life
WEDNESDAY
Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, a pastoral letter written by our U.S.
Bishops in 1992, is a very readable and inspiring work. It stresses the nature
of true stewardship. From the introduction section:
“Genesis tells us that God placed the first human beings in a garden to
practice stewardship there – ‘to cultivate and care for it’ (Gn 2:15). The world
remains a kind of garden… entrusted to the care of men and women for God’s
glory and the service of humankind. In its simplest yet deepest sense, this is
the Christian stewardship of which the pastoral letter speaks.”
“Who is the Christian steward? One who receives God’s gifts gratefully,
cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares
them in justice and love with others, and returns them with increase to the
Lord.”
Take a minute to reflect on that last paragraph. Do you:
•
•
•
•
receive God’s gifts gratefully?
tend them in a responsible manner?
share them in justice and love?
return them with increase to the Lord?
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in
and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor decay destroy, nor thieves break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
Matthew 6:19-21
Hurricanes, tornadoes, mud slides, floods… All too often we hear stories of
people hit by natural disasters. Generally, people have two reactions – often
spoken in the same breath: “We’ve lost everything! Thank God no one was
hurt!”
It is at those traumatic moments we become very aware of the real treasures in
life: family, friends, relationships, love, faith, God.
What will you do to invest in the treasures that truly matter?
7
Week One – Stewardship as a Way of Life
THURSDAY
In her book, Out of the Ordinary, author Joyce Rupp writes:
“While I was deciding which cereal to eat this morning, you were searching
the ground for leftover grains from the passing wheat truck.
While I was choosing between diet and regular soda, your parched lips were
yearning for a sip of water.
While I complained about the poor service in the restaurant, you were
gratefully eating a bowl of rice.
While I scanned the ads for a bargain on a new piece of clothing, you put on
the same shirt and pants that you’ve worn for many months.
While I built a fourteen-room house for the three of us, your family of ten
found shelter in a one-room hut.
While I went to church last Sunday and felt more than slightly bored, you
stood on the land and felt gratitude to God for being alive one more day.”
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea, write this:
‘The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the source of God’s creation,
says this: “I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I
wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot
nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.’”
Revelation 3:14-16
Cold or hot… hot or cold...choose a side, form an opinion, do it or make a
clear decision not to. Lukewarm… mediocre, not a “yes” or a “no” but
“maybe, if I feel like it” or “maybe, if I have time” or “maybe, if I have
nothing better to do.”
God would rather have you think, form an opinion and act or have a
conscience concrete reason why you won’t, because opinions and reasons can
be changed if they are wrong.
Lukewarm people don’t bother to investigate, analyze, reflect, and make
firm decisions. Their lack of action, flip-flopping, and middle of the road
reactions are at the whim of their moods at the moment.
On what issues are you hot or cold? Have you formed your opinions and
based your actions on concrete information, prayerful reflection, consistent
with the Church’s teachings?
8
When are you lukewarm?
What steps can you take to change the temperature?
Week Five – Commitment/Pledging
MONDAY
Every Christmas it was the same: piles of Christmas presents for the
25 people spanning three generations that gathered every Christmas Eve at
Grandma’s house. Within a time span of one hour, there were moutains of
torn wrapping paper to be gathered up.
Everyone had received a number of gifts, but most were items that
weren’t really needed or even strongly desired.
A few days later, news of the tsunami filled the airwaves. Sue looked
at the pile of gifts under their tree, appalled at her excess when others had
nothing. A phone call to Debbie, then Dick, and a new plan was devised. All
agreed the adults in the family would celebrate future Christmases quite
differently.
Each family put money into a Christmas Club Account, as they had
always done. But when the next Christmas Eve rolled around, each adult
member of the clan randomly selected one box to open. Inside the box was a
card saying: “A donation of $100 will be given in your name to [charity’s
name].” The person who wrapped the gift had selected the charity that would
receive the donation.
The adults still had the fun of opening gifts, but now also had the
satisfaction of knowing their “gifts” would help many other people in need.
A new family tradition was born.
“God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God
in him. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and
refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him?
Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”
1 John 4:16b, 3:17-18
What new family tradition will you begin to share your love
by sharing your money with those in need?
33
Week Five – Commitment/Pledging
SUNDAY
Our Baptismal promises contain this question:
“Do you reject the glamour of evil and refuse to be mastered by sin?”
The “glamour of evil” shows itself in many ways. One of the most
dominant in this country is materialism – “wants” becoming “needs” so that
your budget is stretched to the limit and you have no money to assist with the
real needs of others.
We don’t think of ourselves as “greedy”. We’re just living like
everyone else lives. Aren’t we? Right?
“Social statisticians tell us that if the earth’s population were a
village of 100 people, there would be 57 Asians, 21 Europeans, 8 African.
Only 14 people in the village would be from both North and South America
combined. Seventy of the people in this village would be nonwhite. Seventy
would be non-Christian. Seventy would be illiterate. Fifty of them would be
malnourished. Fifty percent of all the money in the village would be held by
six people – and all of them would be white, male Americans…”
National Catholic Reporter, Feb. 20, 1998
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have
works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear
and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep
warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body,
what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2:14-17
It could not be much more blunt than that. “Works” – assisting those
who are in need – is not an optional dimension of our faith; it’s a fundamental
part of being faithful to God.
What will you do to keep yourself aware of the daily needs of others?
What pledge are you ready to make, here and now, this week, to increase
your commitment to the “works” of prayer, service, and sharing?
What return shall we make, to the Lord our God, for all that God
has given us, for all that God has done for us.
32
Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission Theme Song
Week One – Stewardship as a Way of Life
FRIDAY
Descartes, in describing what it means to be human, said, “I think, therefore, I
am.” Other cultures have other ways of describing what it means to be
human.
In Megan McKenna’s book Send My Roots Rain she tells us “ubuntu” is an
ancient African word that means “I am what I am because of who we all are
together.” It expresses how an individual’s identity is interlinked with the
caring, sharing community, in which s/he participates . In other words, “I
share, therefore, I am.”
St. Teresa of Avila expressed it this way: “Some people have all they require
for their needs… As they avoid mortal sin, they think they have done their
duty. They enjoy their riches and give an occasional alm, never consider that
their property is not their own, but that God has entrusted it to them as His
stewards for the good of the poor, and that they will have to render a strict
account of the time they kept it shut up in their money chests, if the poor have
suffered from want on account of their hoards and delay.”
How might you complete that sentence?
I ______, therefore, I am.
“‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him,
‘You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul,
and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The
second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and
the prophets depend on these two commandments.’”
Matthew 22:36-40
Pop culture tells us that “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”
St. Paul set a very different standard:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not
inflated. It is not rude, it does not seek its own interests. It bears all things,
believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5a, 7
Want to consider that question again?
I _________, therefore, I am.
9
Week One – Stewardship as a Way of Life
SATURDAY
Week Four – Sharing
SATURDAY
Back in February of 2006 it seemed that everyone had an opinion on
whether or not New Orleans should host its traditional week-long Mardi Gras
celebration.
“How can they spend all that money so frivolously when there is so
much clean-up that still needs to be done?” the opponents asked.
“Mardi Gras is a part of our identity; we need to host this celebration
to remind ourselves that the good times will return some day,” the proponents
said.
Three couples came up with this solution: they traveled together to
New Orleans, enjoyed the Mardi Gras celebrations spending their money at the
local businesses that had re-opened, and then stayed ten more days to assist
with the ongoing Hurricane Katrina clean-up.
Janette had only been the parish bookkeeper for 3 months, but her
curiosity was peaked, so she approached the pastor. “I know the parishioner’s
private lives are their own business, but I’m curious. Each week, one of the
parishioners puts $6 and some change in her contribution envelope. Some
weeks, it’s $6.35, some times it’s $6.25. One week it was $6.75. It seems
strange that she gives those odd amounts.”
Practicing stewardship as a way of life doesn’t mean we become
prune-faced people who give up all enjoyments in order to help others. Good
stewards are able to enjoy life while providing for the needs of others.
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in
God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s
lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The
Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. The hungry
he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.”
Luke 1:46b-50, 53
God could have chosen a wealthy home or family with status when it was
time for Jesus to be born, but God did not.
God made his dwelling among the poor, the lowly, the needy. Most of
Jesus’ miracles were focused on helping those in need.
How much of your prayer, service, and sharing
is spent helping those in need?
Fr. Bill smiled. “Yes, that’s Molly,” he said. “She told me last year
that she has made the decision to tithe 3% of her income to the church. Molly
works as a waitress, so the amount of her tithe varies depending on the tips
she receives.”
Molly has since married and now has two children, Max and Michael.
Janette figures that both boys must receive an allowance of $5.00 per week, as
the parish receives 15 cents from each of them every Sunday in their
children’s collections envelopes.
“You shall bring out all the tithes of your produce for that year and
deposit them in community stores, that the Levite who has no share
in the heritage with you, and also the alien, the orphan, and the widow
who belong to your community, may come and eat their fill; so that
the Lord, your God, may bless you in all that you undertake.”
Deuteronomy 14:28-29
People who tithe have learned a great secret: If you wait until the end of
the month to tithe, there is never enough. However, if you take the tithe out
first, somehow the money lasts as long as it would have if you didn’t tithe.
Start with what’s comfortable to you - 2% or 3% if you think you
can’t afford more, and wait and see what happens.
If you won’t start now, start with your next increase in compensation. Give
half of the increase, even if it makes you uncomfortable.
What might you do yet this week to make some
changes to your way of life?
10
31
Week Four – Sharing
FRIDAY
Week Two – Prayer
SUNDAY
Food was scarce. Cupboards were almost bare.
When the tattered old man wandered into town, everyone closed their
shutters in the hopes that he wouldn’t knock on their doors begging for food.
He reached the town square, and stopped to rest. Then, he got up to
gather a few sticks. The children came over to see what he was doing.
“I have a magic stone that makes the best soup in the world,” he said.
“I’m gathering sticks to start a fire.” “Stones can’t make soup,” the children
said. “This one can, because it’s magical” he replied.
“Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest
of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words:
‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth;
and blessed be God Most High, who delivered your foes into your hands.’
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”
Genesis 14:18-20
You probably know the story… The man asks for a pot and some
water – that’s all he needs to make the magical stone soup. After boiling the
stone for awhile, he declares that it’s coming along just fine, but if it just had
a few carrots, it would really be great and he would share it with whomever
brought him some carrots.
He continues to declare how marvelous it is, but it would be even better
if it had just a little of this or a little of that. Each time, someone brings the
needed ingredient.
In the end, all have shared from their meager cupboards and all share a
truly marvelous Stone Soup.
There is no one “right way” to pray:
Some people pray best on their knees;
others pray best while walking in the woods.
Some people pray best when reading or reciting prayers;
others pray best by simply turning their minds to God in silent wonder.
Some people pray best in quiet solitude;
others pray best surrounded by fellow believers.
“Give alms in proportion to what you own. If you have great wealth, give
alms out of your abundance; if you have but little, distribute even some of
that. But do not hesitate to give alms; you will be storing up a goodly
treasure for yourself against the day of adversity.
Almsgiving frees one from death, and keeps one from going into the dark
abode. Alms are a worthy offering in the sight of the Most High for all who
give them.” Tobit 4:8-11
“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord
Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given
thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in
remembrance of me.”
“In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new
covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of
me’. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the
death of the Lord until he comes.”
“Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord
unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.”
Fr. George only talked about money once a year and his comments
were always brief. “I don’t want the food off your table or the blankets off
your children’s beds”, he would say. “What I want is that carton of cigarettes,
that bottle of booze, that concert or movie.”
Who taught you about “giving alms?” Who has encouraged and
invited you to share your financial resources? When have you felt generous?
Can you cultivate this a bit further?
30
Melchizedek was a man ahead of his time. While others were slaughtering
animals to sacrifice to their gods, Melchizedek, a Canaanite king living 2000
years before the birth of Jesus, makes an offering of bread and wine.
Whatever puts you in touch with God, is right for you! But, don’t stop there!
As you age in wisdom and grace, you may find other prayer methods that
deepen your relationship with God.
1 Corinthians 11:23-27
The Eucharist… the ultimate prayer, a proclamation of Jesus’ death, until he
comes again in glory at the end of the world.
Each of us are given the great privilege, honor, and responsibility of
participating in that amazing prayer, this proclamation of Jesus whenever we
receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
How are you living out that prayer, the Eucharist, once you leave
the church building and go forth into the world?
11
Week Two – Prayer
MONDAY
It started as a typical evening. A senior citizen couple had invited some
of their children, grandchildren, and the parish priest to dinner. After dinner,
everyone was sitting around, chatting, when suddenly grandpa excused
himself because he didn’t feel well. Grandma, one son and a daughter
followed him from the room.
The situation was serious, so while the son called 911, the daughter
dashed back to the family room, turned to her children and said, “I want you
to pray as hard as you can right now for Grandpa!”
As she turned to leave the room, her 4-year-old son said, “What prayer
should I pray, momma?” She admits her tone was abrupt as she said, “I don’t
care what you pray, just pray something!”
As she turned again to dash back to her parents’ side, she heard her young
son say, “Angel of God, my guardian dear…”
For most of us, in times of crisis, our thoughts immediately turn to
prayer. How interesting, though, that the young woman spontaneously turned
to her children, and not the priest, for prayers!
“Let the children come to me.”
Mark 10:14
It says something about the importance of prayer for this family that a 4
year old would know enough prayers to ask the question, "What prayer should
I say?"
And when left on his own, to choose the prayer that best fit the situation,
he didn't pray any adult-sounding words, “Our Father, who art in heaven.”
He didn't pray, “Hail Mary, full of something called grace.” The prayer that
instinctively was on his lips was the most personal one he knew.
“Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, to guide. Amen.”
“Angel of God.” A 4-year-old asking that very special angel, the one God
had sent to watch over him, to give that same care and protection to his
grandpa. Could there be a better 4-year-old prayer than that?
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Week Four – Sharing
THURSDAY
Thanksgiving Day had always been a day of jovial chaos. Uncles,
aunts, siblings, spouses, children, tables and chairs covering just about every
square foot of floor space.
That was then. Now, the children had grown, and most of the older
generation were feasting on the heavenly banquet. Setting a table for 6 for
Thanksgiving Dinner just didn’t seem right.
A week before Thanksgiving, Marge saw an elderly neighbor at the
grocery store. She was buying a Cornish game hen and can of gravy. It
would be her Thanksgiving Dinner for one.
That’s when the idea hit. Marge started making phone calls – elderly
neighbors, single co-workers. On Thanksgiving Day, she happily set the table
for 15 and gave thanks to the Lord that once again, her home was filled with
jovial chaos.
“He said to the host who invited him, ‘When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do
not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy
neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather,
when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you
will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:12-14
The next time you’re planning a party, a special dinner, or just a backyard
barbeque, look around your neighborhood, your office, your parish. Who are
the people that seem to be alone?
Are you willing to set the table for one more?
Who feeds the poor when there is no holiday?
What might you and your parish do to insure:
- every child has a birthday party and gifts?
- no one is without heat in the winter?
- everyone is safe from heatstroke?
Matthew 18:3
12
29
Week Four – Sharing
WEDNESDAY
“Those who make private property of the gifts of God pretend in vain to be
innocent, for in thus retaining the subsistence of the poor, they are the
murderers of those who die every day for want of it.”
Cura Pastoralis by St. Gregory the Great
Strong words! Words we’d like to ignore! And, the world has been
ignoring them for 1,400 years!
“Social Justice”, “Stewardship”, “Social Concerns” are not new concepts.
The Catholic Church has been speaking out on behalf of the poor for some
2000 years.
Consider these facts:
* 240,000 people could be fed for a year with the food
Americans waste each day
* The United Nations estimates that providing basic
education, health care, food, and clean water to every person
in the world would cost an additional $40 billion per year –
which is less than 4% of the combined wealth of the 225
richest people in the world
[Statistics from Megan McKenna, p. 335, Send My Roots Rain © 2003. Doubleday, New York.]
“The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed
that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.
There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or
houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the
feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.”
Acts 4:32,34
We tell ourselves this would never work in today’s world, and maybe we
are right. But, the principle still applies.
How are you helping to take care of the needy in your
family, your community, the world?
What does it mean to do this without judgment?
28
Week Two – Prayer
TUESDAY
Ruth was sick and tired of being sick and tired. The doctors told her to have
patience, eventually the drugs and therapy would work and she’d start to feel
better. But, “eventually” had gone on for months with very little change.
Monday morning, her sister Ellie called her. “Would you like to go with me
to ‘Women at the Well’ this morning?” Ellie asked. Women at the Well was a
women’s prayer and Bible Study group that met once a week. Every week Ellie
invited Ruth to come along and every week Ruth said, “maybe next week”. To
Ellie’s surprise, this time Ruth said, “I guess so.”
The other women in the group were pleased to meet the sister that Ellie had
been praying for every Monday. Together they spent about 15 minutes on
intercessory prayer and were about to move on to the Bible Study when one of
the women said, “I think Ruth needs an extra measure of prayer.”
All the women gathered around Ruth, placing their hands on her shoulders
and head. They prayed for her healing and then blessed her with Holy Water.
When the morning ended, Ellie drove Ruth home. “How are you feeling,
now?” asked Ellie.
Ruth replied, “Sick and tired… but peaceful.”
Ahh, the power of prayer!
“Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in
good spirits? He should sing praise. Is anyone among you sick?
He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray
over him and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of
faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he
has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.” James 5:13-15
Sometimes, physical healing comes to those who are anointed or prayed for.
When physical healing doesn’t come, it doesn’t mean the prayer or anointing
“didn’t work”.
Often a healing of the mind takes place. Stress is dissolved. The person
feels at peace, able to cope with the physical difficulties.
The power of prayer is real!
In many parishes, the older parishioners or those with conditions that prevent
them from serving others in a more physically active manner, are the prayer
team of the parish. This spiritual stewardship of prayer grounds everything the
parish community does.
Is there someone you know who might become involved with the Stewardship
Campaign parish prayer committee with a little bit of encouragement?
13
Week Two – Prayer
Wednesday
Week Four – Sharing
TUESDAY
Prayer is not just spending time with the Lord. It is partly that – but if it
ends there, it is fruitless. No, prayer is dynamic.
Authentic prayer changes us – unmasks us, strips us, indicates where
growth is needed.
Authentic prayer never leads us to complacency, but needles us, makes us
uneasy at times.
Teresa of Avila
“You are not making a gift of your possessions to the poor
person. You are handing over to him what is his. For what has been
given in common for the use of all, you have taken to yourself.
The world is given to all and not only to the rich.”
A quick Our Father or Hail Mary…a few minutes spent praying the
rosary…all prayer is good. But, when you pray, do you take the time to listen
for God’s answer?
It might come in the form of words.
It might come as a feeling, a sensation, a mood.
It might come as an image of someone who needs your help,
or a thought of how you should spend your afternoon.
When you pray, take the time to sit quietly and really listen to God;
you might be surprised by what God tells you!
“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me;
yet not as I will, but as you will.”
St. Ambrose
Most people, when they read that quote, are a little disturbed by it… until they
get to the last line. “Whew… it’s not really addressed to me! I’m not rich.”
If you have running water in your house,
by the world’s standards you are rich.
If you have a refrigerator in your house,
by the world’s standards you are rich.
If you have more than 2 changes of clothing,
by the world’s standards you are rich.
Say,“By the world’s standards, I am rich.”
Now shorten it and simply say, “I am rich.” Is it hard to say? How does it
make you feel when you hear these words about yourself?
Matthew 26:39
Short, simple, straight to the point; “I don’t want to have to do this, but…”
The one thing Jesus was NOT going to do was to slink away, hide out,
pretend that God the Almighty did not really matter.
What burdens of this world are you willing to bear, knowing that God
has prepared a place for you at his side for all eternity? Spend some time
praying about it this week. Give God some extra time to respond.
14
So… read the words of St. Ambrose one more time. Now what do you think?
“The crowds asked him [Jesus], ‘What then should we do?’ He said to them
in reply, ‘Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has
none. And whoever has food should do likewise.’” [Luke 3:11]
Go to your closets. Count the number of coats, jackets, and sweaters that you
own. Even if you rationalize that you need a coat or sweater for each of the
four seasons, what might Jesus say to you? What changes might be in order?
27
Week Four – Sharing
MONDAY
Week Two – Prayer
THURSDAY
“Share everything with your brother and sister. Do not say, ‘It is mine
alone.’ If you share what is everlasting, you should be that
much more willing to share things which do not last.”
To counter the commercialism of Christmas and instill in the children a
spirit of giving, Janet, the director of religious education, decided to revive
the ancient tradition of Spiritual Bouquets. She set up the life-sized statues of
Mary and Joseph from the outdoor Nativity set and cut flower petals and
stems from colored paper.
Janet gave each child the name of a senior citizen parishioner and
explained the concept of a Spiritual Bouquet. Then, she knelt with them by
the statues and together they said a prayer.
Besides praying at home, for the next 4 weeks the children dashed into
the parish center before Mass or before their classes to kneel by the statues
and pray. Some even convinced their parents to wait after Mass or class so
they could pray again!
Just before Christmas, the Spiritual Bouquets were delivered to the homes
of the senior citizens with this note:
Didache, chapter 4
(a brief early Christian treatise (c. 70–160), containing instructions for Christian communities)
Side by side, elbow to elbow, rich next to poor, man, woman, child, teen…
Church is the great equalizer. Regardless of the differences between us., we
worship together.
We hear the Word proclaimed by readers, we receive Communion from
lay ministers, without a thought to their age, sex, or social status because we
look beyond the person to God within them.
How do you react and respond when you see the homeless on the street?
How do you react and respond when someone “different” moves into the
neighborhood?
“Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must
do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.”
“Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need, you may
have an abundance for every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
“Sows” – an action word. There is nothing to reap if nothing has been sown.
Whether you have a little or a lot, when is the last time
you evaluated what you might be sowing?
What legacy will you leave your heirs to harvest?
How will your investments provide abundance for good works?
26
Mary and Joseph knelt and prayed when Baby Jesus was born. During
Advent, I knelt and prayed for you. After I said each prayer, I placed a petal
on one of the flowers. These flowers are my spiritual bouquet for you.
I hope your Christmas is filled with the love that Baby Jesus has for us
all. Merry Christmas, from____ in grade ___.
“Listen, my faithful children: open up your petals,
like roses planted near running waters;
Send up the sweet odor of incense,
break forth in blossoms like the lily.
Send up the sweet odor of your hymn of praise;
bless the Lord for all he has done!
Proclaim the greatness of his name, loudly sing his praises.
The works of God are all of them good;
in its own time every need is supplied.
So now with full joy of heart, proclaim
and bless the name of the Holy One.”
Sirach 39, selected verses
Something happens to us when we lift up our hearts in prayer. Burdens can
seem lighter; minds may feel a moment of peace.
Who needs some prayers, some burdens lightened, some moments of peace?
Bring it to the attention of the Lord today through your prayers.
15
Week Two – Prayer
FRIDAY
Week Four – Sharing
SUNDAY
TGIF – Thank God it’s Friday!
For many the “work week” is done. Your time is your own, until Monday
morning rolls around, again!
So… how did you spend your week?
Dwight D. Eisenhower –anyone over the age of 70 remembers him as
one of the U.S. generals who led the Allied countries to victory in World War
II. Anyone over 50 remembers him as president of the United States of
America from 1953 to 1961.
As the Korean War was drawing to a close, Eisenhower made this
statement on April 16, 1953:
How many hours did you spend at work?
at play?
eating?
sleeping?
watching television?
checking emails or surfing the ‘net?
talking with your family?
talking with God?
60 minutes in an hour; 24 hours in a day; 7 days in a week…
all given to you by God.
“Praise the Lord, my soul;
I shall praise the Lord all my life,
sing praise to my God while I live.
Happy those whose help is Jacob’s God,
whose hope is in the Lord, their God,
Who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free;
the Lord gives sight to the blind.
The Lord protects the stranger,
sustains the orphan and widow.
The Lord shall reign forever,
your God, Zion, though all generations!
Hallelujah!”
Psalm 146
16
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired
signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed,
those who are cold and are not clothed.”
An amazing comment from a general!
“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He
asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’
And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build
larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say
to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many
years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night
your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom
will they belong?”
“Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not
rich in what matters to God.”
Luke 12:16-21
How would you re-write that story so that instead of God saying, “You fool,
God might say instead, “I bless you, my good and faithful servant!”
Which story – the original or your new version –
will be the model for your life?
What steps must you take in order to accomplish this?
It appears one is foolish when one spends too much tie preparing
for the future and too little time in the “now”.
How much time did you turn back to the Lord in prayer this week?
Wrestle with this tension.
Might you think of some strategies to utilize next week
in an effort to increase your prayer time?
How do you plan for the future and yet live as if you will die this very night?
Ask the Spirit for some inspiration.
25
Week Three – Service
SATURDAY
Picture the scene: The angel Gabriel has just told Mary that she will be
the mother of God. Gabriel adds that Elizabeth is also pregnant with a son
“for nothing is impossible with God.” And then the angel departs.
What does Mary do next?
Does she run to find Joseph to tell him what happened? Does she go to
her parents to share the news? Or, with a touch of pride, tell her friends? No,
none of these: Mary’s first response is to go to Elizabeth.
“Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of
Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her
womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and
said, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your
womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should
come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what
was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.’” Luke 1:39-45
Elizabeth is in her sixth month, so Mary knows that Elizabeth might need
her help. Without a thought about her own situation, the mother of God goes
to serve Elizabeth.
But, it’s clear from Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary that Elizabeth will be as
great a help to Mary as Mary is to Elizabeth, for Elizabeth understands
Mary’s situation more than anyone else can or will.
It is Elizabeth who first recognizes God’s promises from ages past will be
fulfilled in this young woman as Elizabeth utters those now famous, sacred
words,
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
Both will go down in history as being blessed with miracles. But back then,
they were simply two women, in recognition of God’ blessings, serving one
another joyfully.
What joys have you experienced when you stepped forward to serve others?
Week Two – Prayer
SATURDAY
Mike was leading the 11th grade confirmation retreat Things had been
going well until they started discussing the Gifts of the Spirit – four gifts to know
God’s will (wisdom, understanding, knowledge, right judgment) and three gifts
to do God’s will (courage, reverence, wonder and awe).
Mike tried to ignore the whispers, but it was getting more and more
distracting. Finally, Mike looked at one of the teens, and simply said,
“Is there a problem?”
The teens exchanged a few glances, then Joe spoke up. “I guess we were
just wondering, if everyone receives these Gifts of the Spirit at confirmation,
how come all Catholic adults aren’t full of wisdom, understanding knowledge,
and all the rest?”
Good question! God doesn’t interfere with our free will, so when the Spirit
brings these gifts, they come to us in “seed” form. We have to cultivate those
seed-gifts in order for them to blossom and grow in us.
What are you doing to cultivate these precious gifts that God has given you?
Which are blossoming in you? Which need more watering and tilling to reach
their potential?
“If you receive my words and treasure my commands,
Turning your ear to wisdom, inclining your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you call to intelligence, and to understanding raise your voice;
If you seek her like silver, and like hidden treasures search her out:
Then will you understand the fear of the Lord;
the knowledge of God you will find;
For the Lord gives wisdom,
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He has counsel in store for the upright,
he is the shield of those who walk honestly.
For wisdom will enter your heart, knowledge will please your soul,
Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you.”
Proverbs 2:1-7,10-11
Receive God’s words… treasure the commands…turn your “ear” and open your
heart; God wants to give you these gifts, these treasures.
Are any of the commands falling on deaf ears?
Ready your heart through prayer.
Talk with God, let God know you are listening.
17
24
Week Three – Service
SUNDAY
In late March of 1998, a major tornado struck southern Minnesota,
leveling homes, churches, schools, and businesses in a number of towns. The
small rural farming community of Comfrey, Minnesota, population 550, was
almost completely destroyed
Anna, a 9th grader in a small Wisconsin town, felt an enormous
compassion for the people of Comfrey. She told her pastor that something
needed to be done to help them. Initially, the priest explained that the parish
did not have enough staff to organize and coordinate relief efforts. Then he
issued Anna the following challenge: “All of us are called to help our
neighbors who are in need. If you are willing to put in the time to make the
phone calls, to organize your friends and their parents, I will give my full
support to your efforts.”
And that’s exactly what Anna did! With the help of her friends and some
parents, the parish and town rallied behind Anna’s project.
Within three weeks, over twenty people from the Anna’s parish were
heading to Comfrey with a semi-load of food, water, blankets, and clothing.
They spent a week assisting with the clean-up efforts, handing out supplies,
and helping to feed those who had lost their homes, farms, jobs and schools.
“He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry
them with the towel around his waist. When he had washed their feet… he
said to them, ‘Do you realize what I have done for you? I have given you a
model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.’”
John 13:5, 12, 15
Anna understood this message of service to others and had taken it to
heart. Anna honored God by honoring others, especially those who are the
most in need of aid.
We honor God when we get down on our knees, not just in prayer, but also
in service to those who need a caring hand, a compassionate smile, a listening
ear. The opportunities to serve others—locally, regionally, nationally,
globally—are endless. No one can do everything but everyone can do
something.
Consider some new ways you might honor God through acts of service.
18
Week Three – Service
FRIDAY
Parish Committees
CROP Walk
Bike-a-thon
Children’s Marathon
Parish Choir
Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts
Literacy Tutors
Children’s Museum
St Vincent De Paul Stores
Cancer Walk
Bowl-a-thon
Faith Formation Programs
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Project Rachel
Homeless Shelter
Humane Society
Funeral Dinners
Food Pantry
No matter what your interest, what your passion, there’s an organization or
community project out there that can use your prayers, service, and sharing.
If not, organize one.
“Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast
out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the
Lord. If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will
serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the
Amorites in whose country you are dwelling.”
“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
“The people promised Joshua, ‘We will serve the Lord, our God, and obey
his voice.’”
Joshua 24:14-15, 24
Notice it doesn’t say, “As for me and my household, we will worship the
Lord.” Too often, we worship God for an hour on Sunday and then return to
our normal lives without much thought about God when the worship ends.
The Mass is never ended; it must be lived.
Joshua had a different view of what God expects. Every action of every
day, should be weighed against what God has said is good and proper. If it
passes the “God test”, just do it. If not, then don’t. In a nutshell, that’s
serving God in word and deed every minute of every day.
Mentally, review your day. What’s your score on the “God-Test”?
How have you and your household served the Lord?
23
Week Three – Thursday
SERVICE
Week Three – Service
MONDAY
It started almost by accident. The new pastor decided he needed to lose
some weight, so he bought a bicycle. The director of religious education was
trying to figure out how to get the high school confirmation class to meet
during the summer as the confirmation date had been suddenly moved up
from November to September. Thus, the Spirit lead open minds to a creative
solution to what was once a temporary dilemma: the weekly Bible Bike Club.
A rally was planned to protest the cuts in programs to the poor and
homeless. Mary spread the word to her friends that she was planning on
attending.
Some voiced their support and said they would join Mary at the rally, but
Kathy was hesitant to get involved. She knew the cause was important, but
sometimes rallies of that nature get out of hand. Kathy didn’t want others to
think she was an extremist or a law-breaker.Kathy said, “I can’t join you at
the rally, but if you need my help, call me. I will give you a ride, even bail
you out of jail – whatever you need.”
Once a week from June through August, over one hundred people of all
ages gather for morning Mass. About sixty of them come with their bicycles
and divide into three groups: one for the adults and teens who are avid bikers;
another group for adults and teens who ride for recreation; and a third group
just for children.
Each group has at least two adults who know how to do minor bicycle
repairs and at least one adult for every six children or teens. Each group bikes
for a while, then stops at a predetermined park or the grounds of another
church for snacks where they meet back up with the forty or so non bike
riders who have set up snacks and refreshments. Discussions and age
appropriate lessons are provided based on the readings all heard in the
morning’s Liturgy. After the refreshments, review, and renewal, the riders
bike back to the church.
Many of the adults serving in this innovative program had never been
involved in the once a week school year religious education program. The
parish discovered a marvelous new way to serve the children and teens while
involving great adult role models whose gifts and talents are not necessarily
associated with “traditional” faith formation classroom settings. Everyone,
including the non-riders, gets an opportunity to appreciate God’s gift of the
great outdoors, discover new meanings in the Scriptures discussed, and build
a stronger sense of intergenerational community.
“God has given each of you special abilities;
be sure to use them to help each other.”
(1 Peter 4:7-11)
Sometimes we have difficulty moving out of our comfort zone to help
others. Sometimes our fear of what might happen or what others might think
prevents us from reaching out. Sometimes we have trouble focusing on the
nameless “poor.”
Kathy took a new first step that day by offering her behind-the-scenes support
to those who would take a more active role to help the poor.
What new first steps are you willing to take to move out of your
comfort zone to help those in need?
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me
drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and
you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. Amen I say to you, whatever
you did for one of these least of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:34b-36, 40b
None of us are expected to overcome poverty, hunger, disease or
homelessness by ourselves. But just imagine, if every person reached out to
help just one other human being every day, the physical needs of the world
could be met. Really take some time to consider the possibilities. Talk over
your ideas with the Lord, a family member, a friend, a co-worker, members of
your parish’s social concerns committee, your priest. Be open to where these
discussions may lead you. Listen with your heart.
How might the Spirit be calling you to new service opportunities?
Can you transform a problem into an opportunity?
22
19
Week Three-Service
TUESDAY
There is a Legend of the Light, told by many Native Americans, which
describes how light was brought to the world.
Once upon a time, before any humans existed, the world was totally dark.
Some of the birds had seen light from a fire far in the east when they soared
high in the sky, so the animals decided someone should go to the east to bring
back light.
One by one the fastest, strongest animals volunteered to bring back the
fire, but none succeeded. Some got lost. Some dropped the fire because it
was too hot. Others were too fast; their speed created too much of a wind
which blew out the fire.
Finally, Grandmother Spider said she would give it a try. Slowly, she
headed east, leaving a trail of thread so she could find her way back.
As she traveled she picked up some clay and formed a small pot in which
to carry the fire. Though it took many days, she succeeded where the others
had failed, bringing back fire in the little clay pot.
The lesson of the legend teaches one need not be the biggest, the fastest,
the youngest, or the strongest. All of us have something we can do for the
good of others.
Week Three – Service
WEDNESDAY
Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Peace isn’t always easy to come by. Illness, acts of nature, and the foibles
of ourselves and others can bring turmoil and stress into our lives.
Most people know the story of Naaman, the commander of the army of the
country of Aram (modern-day Syria). Naaman was afflicted with leprosy.
After presenting himself to the prophet Elisha, and following Elisha’s
directives, Naaman was healed.
But why would a foreigner, who didn’t particularly like the Israelites, go
to an Israeli prophet to be healed? 2 Kings 5:2-3 explains:
St. Francis reminds us of the age-old truth. It might not make sense to the
logical mind, but when you’re down, the best spirit-lifter you can find is to
reach out to help others.
“Now the Arameans had captured from the land of Israel in a raid a little
girl, who became the servant of Naaman’s wife. ‘If only my master would
present himself to the prophet in Samaria,’ she said to her mistress, ‘he would
cure him of his leprosy.’” [Note: Samaria was part of Israel at this time.]
This is a core stewardship belief and promise.
Here we have a young girl, a captive, taken far from her home, now a living
as a powerless servant in a country that hates her homeland. Yet, she still
believes in the power of her God. She responds with compassion to the plight
of her master, asking nothing for herself, but simply doing what she can to
assist him in his need.
20
No matter what the circumstances of our lives,
we are called to care for others; no one is exempt.
How might you respond to this call today?
“In giving of ourselves…we receive.”
How will you give of yourself today?
What sense of peace might you receive in return?
What return shall we make to the Lord our God? For all that God
has given us, for all that God has done?
Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission Theme Song
21
Tips for Organizing the Five Week
Faith Sharing Groups
Recruit Leaders 4-6 weeks prior to your scheduled start of the Inspiration Phase.
Begin to chart their schedule preferences and availability for facilitating a group for
five weeks. This will enable your committee to begin publicizing which days of the
week and different times of the day groups can be offered.
If your parish already sponsors Small Faith Sharing Groups or Bible Study sessions,
capitalize on these existing communities and their structures as well.
Beginning 6 weeks prior to a “Sign Up Weekend” consider a weekly count-down
schedule for announcements in the parish bulletin, newsletters, and web site.
Suggestions are listed on the back side of this handout.
Determine how best to facilitate registration: forms in the parish bulletin, newsletters
and web site; pre-printed cards in the pew; sign up tables in the gathering space;
direct mailings to parishioners; and/or inserted into other mailings from the parish.
Recruit different people to make announcements at all parish liturgies—daily as well
as on the weekends. Include a short overview of the five week program, an invitation,
and a brief review of the sign up procedure. It would be great if these same folks
could be available after the liturgies for a few minutes to answer questions.
Sort the sign up cards according to the days of the week and time preferences to set
up the groups. Timely follow up with group leaders and participants is very important.
Work with parish staff and/or your RSI consultant in preparing enough booklets and
in gathering resources leaders may need to facilitate the five sessions.
Invoke the aid of the Holy Spirit along the way. Blessings on all your efforts!
For more information or assistance in organizing Small Christian Communities or Faith
Sharing Groups, contact Patti Christensen in the Department of Evangelization and
Worship at 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8304.
Sample Bulletin Inserts
What is a Small Christian Community?
A Small Christian Community is a gathering of Christians who come together
regularly to seek ways to respond to God's presence in their lives and in the world.
Members share their human stories and their faith with one another. They read the
scriptures together, they pray and they sometimes sing. Together they perform
outreach/service as an extension of blessings received. They most often meet in one
another's homes. There may be five or six people, or ten or twelve.
Our parish will soon offer a five week faith sharing opportunity as part of our
Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission. Interested in becoming involved?
Contact _________________ at _____________________________.
Why do Small Christian Communities exist?
•
•
•
•
•
For mutual support
For on-going learning and formation in faith
For reflection on scripture and church teaching and discernment of gospel
responses appropriate to the concrete situations of life
For encouragement and accountability of action on behalf of the gospel
For prayer and worship
Our parish will facilitate the set up of small faith sharing groups and will
provide materials for a five week study of prayer, service, and sharing in
preparation for our Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission. Contact
_____________________ at ____________________ for more information.
Five Week Faith Sharing Groups to Focus on Prayer, Service, & Sharing
In conjunction with our parish Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission—a
series of small Christian Communities or Faith Sharing Groups will be organized
soon. Watch for the sign-up form in the weekly bulletins or
call________________________ at _______________________ for more information.
Please consider joining a small faith sharing group for five weeks of shared prayer,
reflection, and discussion on the stewardship themes of Prayer—Service—Sharing.
Five Week Faith Sharing Opportunity Sign Up Weekend
On the weekend of _______________ please sign up after mass for a five week faith
sharing group focused on our stewardship themes of prayer, service, and sharing. As
part of the Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission, our parish members will
be challenged to ask God, “What do you want to accomplish through me?” Many
people may welcome the opportunity to pray, reflect, and discuss this challenge with
others in the context of a small faith sharing group. Come together for reflection on
scripture and church teaching and discernment of gospel responses appropriate to
the concrete situations of life. See what amazing responses the Holy Spirit might be
generate through your participation! For more information, call ____________________
at ______________.
FAITH SHARING
CONVERSATION THAT TRANSFORMS US
In this ever-changing, ever-expanding global world, our
awareness that each person has an unique but limited experience
continues to grow. Without conversation, honest and respectful
dialogue, we have only our own truth. Conversation can call us
out of ourselves to hear and consider the points of view and
experiences of others.
When Christians gather to share faith and study the scriptures,
they are gathering together as church. Jesus promised to be with
us wherever two or more gather in his name.
Faith sharing is dynamic and relational. It requires participants to
respect and honor one another. As a group, talk about what you
value in how participants treat one another. Your group may
suggest principles such as:
** Respect everyone. Each of us has his or her own unique
experience that can contribute to the fuller truth the group sees
collectively.
Small Faith Sharing Group
Five Week Program
for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
** Listen intently; pay attention to others' efforts to communicate
their own story. Listening attentively is an act of respect.
** Communicate your experience; put it into words, share it with
the group. Each must accept responsibility of contributing.
Everyone’s experience will be richer for it.
** Always ask questions when others’ contributions do not make
sense to you. Restate what you think you heard but ask for
affirmation or clarification.
** Be comfortable with silent times; do not talk just to fill up quiet
space.
** Keep conversations confidential. What is said in the room—
stays in the room. When people share at a personal level,
trust is essential.
12
12
WEEK ONE
ALL IS GIFT
Introduction to Stewardship
As a Way of Life
Participant’s Guide
1
GENERAL FACILITATOR NOTES
Prepare for the meeting; calculate a time frame to follow. Have
details set and ready ahead of the appointed gathering time.
Welcome everyone at the door. Distribute nametags if needed.
If someone is missing from your session—arrange for a quick check in
and inform the rest of the group.
Arrange seating so that everyone can see each other easily.
Encourage people to stay with the group—discourage looking ahead.
At the end of the first session, decide who will serve as a facilitator for
the next gathering.
Relax, enjoy one another, and let the Spirit do its work!
SUGGESTED READING
U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, “Stewardship: A
Disciple’s Response,” Pastoral Letter of U. S. Bishops,
1992. See www.usccb.org/stewardship/index.htm
Robert F. Morneau, Growing in Joy. Winona, MN. St.
Mary’s Press, 1998. See www.smp.org
Mitch Finley, 101 Ways to Happiness. Liguori Publications,
2005. See www.liguori.org
Paul Wadell, Becoming Friends: Worship, Justice and the
Practice of Christian Friendship. Brazos Press, 2002.
See www.brazospress.com
MATERIALS NEEDED
Bible
Bowl of Water
Nametags
Candle Matches
CD Player/Boom Box
Markers, Pens, Pencils
Music Selections
(borrow from the Parish Media Center, the Choir Director,
the Worship Committee, or the Faith Formation Staff)
All Is Gift
Introduction to Stewardship
Week One of a Five Week Series
developed for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
SUGGESTED MUSIC
What Return Shall We Make
by Vince Ambrosetti, International Liturgy Publications
All You Works of God by Marty Haugen, GIA Publications
God, Beyond All Names by Bernadette Farrell, OCP Publications
The Summons by John Bell, GIA Publications
We All Are One In Mission by Rusty Edwards, Hope Publishing
2
Authored by Jackie Staley for the
Department of Stewardship & Pastoral Services
August 2006
11
SENDING FORTH AND
CLOSING PRAYER
Select some instrumental music to play now and
spend these moments of silence in thanksgiving for all
the goodness shared and enjoyed together. If time
allows, members of the group could offer thanks
for an insight or appreciation gained.
Leader
Let us recall the presence of God as
we join together in our closing prayer:
All
God of goodness and giver of all gifts,
thank you for our time together.
Side 1
We ask your blessing on our families
as we consider the deeper meaning
of stewardship.
Side 2
Help us to appreciate all that we have,
all that we are,
all that has been given to us,
all that we have earned—
Side 1
As gifts from you.
Side 2
We ask for the grace to be true
stewards with hearts full of gratitude
and willingness to share.
All
We ask all of this in the name of Jesus,
who taught us how to be “good
stewards of your many gifts.”
Amen.
10
Week One
Introduction to Stewardship
As a Way of Life
Display a Bible, a candle
and a bowl of water.
Open the Bible to Psalm 116.
The leader welcomes the members of the
group. Each person introduces her/himself,
sharing some of their expectations and
hopes for this time together.
INTRODUCTION
read by leader as candle is lit
Fire and water – two symbols expressing our relationship to God –
speak to us of our Catholic heritage. Moses experienced God in a
burning bush. The powerful presence of the Holy Spirit was shown in
tongues of fire at Pentecost. The fire of a candle symbolizes the light
of Christ, shining over all of us gathered in Christ’s name.
Water in scripture is often referred to as “the saving waters” bringing
to mind the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea from slavery to freedom.
The Church baptizes new members in water as a sign of being saved
and belonging to the community.
Both symbols point to a change of life, a new direction, our bond of
belonging.
3
OPENING PRAYER
Psalm 116:1,13,17,18
(All pause to recall the presence of God)
Reader I
What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
All
What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
Reader II
I loved the Lord,
who listened to my prayer,
who turned an ear to me on
the day I called.
FAITH IN ACTION
1. Discuss with your family your understanding of “all is
gift.” Decide how you might apply that to your
appreciation for your neighborhood environment.
2. Give thanks for the gift of clean water this week. Use it
appreciatively, but economically. Thank God for the
gifts which depend on water: life, health, refreshment,
enjoyment.
3. Spend some gift of time with an elderly person whose
quality of aging you admire. Listen for the recognition of
gratitude for gifts of God throughout his/her life.
All
What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
Reader III
I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the Lord.
4. Draw up a personal list of choices you may be facing in
the coming weeks or months using your talents and
gifts. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you make wise and
generous choices.
All
What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
5. Use the gift of time by watching less TV in
order to help with a parish project.
Reader IV
I will raise the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord.
All
What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
Reader V
I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
All
What shall I return to the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
4
9
FAITH SHARING
A READING
The introduction to the
U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops Pastoral Letter:
Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response (1992)
1. Discuss how the saying “all is gift” can relate to you at
this time in your life.
2. Use the opening prayer from Psalm 116 as
a basis for discussing discipleship and stewardship.
3.. In your life what could be the major obstacle to
practicing stewardship in the context of Christian
discipleship?
4. Who are some outstanding examples of stewardship for
you? Why are they?
Three convictions in particular underlie what we say in this
pastoral letter.
1. Mature disciples make a conscious firm decision, carried
out in action, to be followers of Jesus Christ no matter
the cost to themselves.
2. Beginning in conversion, change of mind and heart, this
commitment is expressed not in a single action, nor
even in a number of actions over a period of time, but in
an entire way of life. It means committing one’s very
self to the Lord.
3. Stewardship is an expression of discipleship, with the
power to change how we understand and live out our
lives.
Disciples who practice stewardship recognize God as the
origin of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all they
have and are and will be.
They are deeply aware of the truth that, “The Lord’s are the
earth and its fullness, the world and those who dwell in
it.” (Psalm 24:1)
They know themselves to be recipients and caretakers of
God’s many gifts. They are grateful for what they have
received and eager to cultivate their gifts out of love for
God and one another.
8
5
A REFLECTION
There once lived a family, Bob, Sue and children,
whose busy family life of home,
work, school, church was fairly
routine. They managed
comfortably, but tension rose
if an outside event brought
imbalance, such as illness, or any
work, school, church or relationship
crisis.
One day, problems arose that tipped the imbalance so far
that Bob and Sue realized they needed to reexamine their
priorities to get a broader, deeper sense of what to change
in their home.
At Sunday Mass they heard these words from the prophet
Ezekiel:
Their discussion and their prayer led them on a search.
How is God the center, the foundation of our lives as a
family? What do we expect from God? What does God
expect of us? What kind of changes would add stability,
peace and joy to each of us?
Bob and Sue were looking at a change of heart, like a
conversion. They went to the ”heart” of the matter, we say.
They wanted to be good stewards of their lives.
Stewardship is a deep way of
looking at one’s life, rooted in
prayer, acted out in service and
sharing. Ultimately, if we see
everything in life as a gift, then
we receive God’s gifts gratefully,
nurture them responsibly and
share them justly and generously.
A new heart I will give you, and a new
spirit I will put within you; and I will
remove from your body the heart of
stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26
6
Because all is gift, stewardship becomes a way of life.
7
FAITH SHARING
CONVERSATION THAT TRANSFORMS US
In this ever-changing, ever-expanding global world, our
awareness that each person has an unique but limited
experience continues to grow. Without conversation, honest and
respectful dialogue, we have only our own truth. Conversation
can call us out of ourselves to hear and consider the points of
view and experiences of others.
When Christians gather to share faith and study the scriptures,
they are gathering together as church. Jesus promised to be
with us wherever two or more gather in his name.
Faith sharing is dynamic and relational. It requires participants
to respect and honor one another. As a group, talk about what
you value in how participants treat one another. Your group may
suggest principles such as:
** Respect everyone. Each of us has his or her own unique
experience that can contribute to the fuller truth the group
sees collectively.
** Listen intently; pay attention to others' efforts to communicate
their own story. Listening attentively is an act of respect.
** Communicate your experience; put it into words, share it with
the group. Each must accept responsibility of contributing.
Everyone’s experience will be richer for it.
** Always ask questions when others’ contributions do not make
sense to you. Restate what you think you heard but ask for
affirmation or clarification.
** Be comfortable with silent times; do not talk just to fill up quiet
space.
** Keep conversations confidential. What is said in the room—
stays in the room. When people share at a personal level,
trust is essential.
Small Faith Sharing Group
Five Week Program
for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
WEEK TWO
GRATEFUL JOY
Through Prayer
Participant’s Guide
GENERAL FACILITATOR NOTES
Prepare for the meeting; calculate a time frame to follow. Have
details set and ready ahead of the appointed gathering time.
Welcome everyone at the door. Distribute nametags if needed.
If someone is missing from your session—arrange for a quick check in
and inform the rest of the group.
Arrange seating so that everyone can see each other easily.
Encourage people to stay with the group—discourage looking ahead.
At the end of this session, decide who will serve as a facilitator for the
next gathering.
Relax, enjoy one another, and let the Spirit do its work!
MATERIALS NEEDED
Bible
prayer cloth
CD Player/Boom Box
Nametags & Markers
a vase of flowers—one for each participant to take home
Music Selections
(borrow from the Parish Media Center, the Choir Director,
the Worship Committee, or the Faith Formation Staff)
SUGGESTED READING
U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, “Stewardship: A
Disciple’s Response,” Pastoral Letter of U.S. Bishops,
1992. See www.usccb.org/stewardship/index.htm
Hermes, Kathryn J. FSP, The Journey Within: Prayer as a
Path to God. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2004.
See www.catalog/americancatholic.org
Robert F. Morneau, Paths to Prayer. St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1998. See www.catalog/americancatholic.org
Macrina Wiederkehr, The Song of the Seed. Harper San
Francisco, 1995. See www.harpercollins.com
Grateful Joy through Prayer
Week Two of a Five Week Series
Developed for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
SUGGESTED MUSIC
All You Works of God – Marty Haugen, GIA Publications
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You – Public Domain
Sing A New Song – Dan Schutte, New Dawn Publications (OCP)
Sing A Joyful Song to the Lord – Jim Farrell , OCP Publications
All the Ends of the Earth (Psalm 98) – any version,
or Bob Dufford, OCP Publications
2
Authored by Jackie Staley for the
Department of Stewardship & Pastoral Services
August 2006
11
SENDING FORTH AND
CLOSING PRAYER
Some instrumental music is played. The leader invites the group
to a few moments of silence. The leader invites members of the
small group to mention in just a few words something that
impressed them from this week’s conversation. The leader or
another member offers some concluding, affirming words before
the final prayer and hands a flower to each person to
take home.
Psalm 4:4, 7-8, 9
Leader
Lord, let your face shine on us.
All
Lord, let your face shine on us.
Side I
When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
All
Lord, let your face shine on us
Side II
Know that the Lord does wonders for his faithful
one;
the Lord will hear me when I call upon him.
All
Lord, let your face shine on us.
Side I
O Lord, let the light of your countenance shine
upon us! You put gladness into my heart.
All
Lord, let your face shine on us.
Side II
As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep;
for you alone, O Lord, bring security to my
dwelling.
All
Lord, let your face shine on us.
10
Week Two
Prayer
Display a Bible with a bouquet
of flowers on a cloth of color
near where the group will meet.
The number of flowers equals
the size of the group.
Open the Bible to Philippians 1.
The leader welcomes the members of the group.
If new members are present, each introduces her/himself.
The leader can begin the session by reading the introduction aloud.
INTRODUCTION
Prayer flowers into JOY. When we lift our hearts to God, opening and
offering ourselves with gratitude, we can experience priceless joy deep
within. A glimpse of the beauty of God is reflected in the simple
radiance of a flower. The Bible, the Word of God, is our inspiration.
3
OPENING PRAYER
FAITH IN ACTION
Philippians 1:3-4; 9-11
Leader
Let us begin by asking God to bless
our reflection and prayer together.
All
Pray with joy to the Lord!
Reader I
I thank my God whenever I think of you
and every time I pray for you all
I always pray with joy.
All
Pray with joy to the Lord!
Reader II
And this is my prayer for you:
that your love may increase
ever more and more in knowledge
and every kind of perception
to discern what is of value.
All
Pray with joy to the Lord!
Reader III
So that you may be pure and
blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ
for the glory and praise of God.
All
Pray with joy to the Lord!
4
1. Set aside some time for daily prayer. Keep the time to a
manageable amount, but be faithful every day. Include
one of the scripture passages in the reading or reflection
in your prayer.
2. List some of the times when you experienced true joy.
Take that joy with you to your next Eucharist with your
parish community.
3. Pray with someone who is ill or struggling. If it is not
possible to pray with them, pray for them.
4. Tend to a flower or plant with the theme of rich soil,
vines, flowers, harvest, the ‘grandeur of God.’
5. In the spring plant a vegetable or flower garden. At
harvest time, give some of its produce to your nearest
homeless shelter.
9
FAITH SHARING
1. How would you link personal prayer to stewardship as a
way of life?
2. How is the celebration of the Eucharist with your parish
community connected to stewardship?
3. Could a person be a good steward without prayer? A
humanitarian, such as Albert Schweitzer, could be
called a good steward. What dimension does prayer
add to Christian stewardship?
4. When have you experienced deep joy? Was it – or
could it have been – linked to prayer?
5. How does gratitude for your many gifts from God affect
your words and actions?
8
A READING
excerpted from the
U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops Pastoral Letter:
Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response (1992)
In the lives of disciples…something else must come
before the practice of stewardship. They need a flash of
insight – a certain way of seeing – by which they view the
world and their relationship to it in a fresh, new light. “The
world is charged with the grandeur of God,” Gerard Manley
Hopkins exclaims. More than anything else, it may be this
glimpse of the divine grandeur in all that is which sets
people on the path of Christian stewardship.
Not only in material creation do people discern God
present and active, but also, and especially, in the human
heart.
“Do not be deceived…. All good giving and every
perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17) and this is true
above all where spiritual gifts are concerned.
5
A REFLECTION
We have heard the expression, “nature versus nurture,”
referring to one’s physical or psychological traits that
come from genes versus environment. When looking at
our lives before God, we can drop the “versus” and
simply link nature AND nurture.
Becoming deeply aware of the endless gifts of God to us
personally and as a community, we see that the nature of
God is generosity. Our response is both delight and gratitude. Our responsibility is to nurture these gifts with reverence for the Giver. When we pray, we nurture our sense
of gratitude. Then we open ourselves to
experience joy.
“There are those who have been sown in rich soil;
they hear the word and accept it and yield a harvest,
thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” Mark 4:20
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure
hidden in a field which someone has found;
he hides it again, goes off in his joy, sells
everything he owns and buys the field.”
Another harvest image that Jesus uses links
prayer with stewardship. Jesus said,
“I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him
will bear much fruit, because without
me you can do nothing….
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for
you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear
much fruit and become my disciples.
As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
John 15:5-9
A life that is attached to Jesus the vine and grounded in
prayer yields a rich harvest, a harvest of joy and energy to
spread the goodness of God.
Then we become God’s good stewards. Stewardship
as a way of life thrives.
Matthew 13:44
6
7
FAITH SHARING
CONVERSATION THAT TRANSFORMS US
In this ever-changing, ever-expanding global world, our
awareness that each person has an unique but limited
experience continues to grow. Without conversation, honest and
respectful dialogue, we have only our own truth. Conversation
can call us out of ourselves to hear and consider the points of
view and experiences of others.
When Christians gather to share faith and study the scriptures,
they are gathering together as church. Jesus promised to be
with us wherever two or more gather in his name.
Faith sharing is dynamic and relational. It requires participants
to respect and honor one another. As a group, talk about what
you value in how participants treat one another. Your group may
suggest principles such as:
** Respect everyone. Each of us has his or her own unique
experience that can contribute to the fuller truth the group
sees collectively.
Small Faith Sharing Group
Five Week Program
for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
** Listen intently; pay attention to others' efforts to communicate
their own story. Listening attentively is an act of respect.
** Communicate your experience; put it into words, share it with
the group. Each must accept responsibility of contributing.
Everyone’s experience will be richer for it.
** Always ask questions when others’ contributions do not make
sense to you. Restate what you think you heard but ask for
affirmation or clarification.
** Be comfortable with silent times; do not talk just to fill up quiet
space.
** Keep conversations confidential. What is said in the room—
stays in the room. When people share at a personal level,
trust is essential.
WEEK THREE
SERVE ONE ANOTHER
Service
Participant’s Guide
GENERAL FACILITATOR NOTES
Prepare for the meeting; calculate a time frame to follow. Have
details set and ready ahead of the appointed gathering time.
Welcome everyone at the door. Distribute nametags if needed.
If someone is missing from your session—arrange for a quick check in
and inform the rest of the group.
Arrange seating so that everyone can see each other easily.
Encourage people to stay with the group—discourage looking ahead.
At the end of this session, decide who will serve as a facilitator for the
next gathering.
Relax, enjoy one another, and let the Spirit do its work!
SUGGESTED READING
U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, “Stewardship: A
Disciple’s Response,” Pastoral Letter of U. S. Bishops,
1992. See www.usccb.org/stewardship/index.htm
Judy Ball, Joan McKamey, ed., Vatican II Today: Calling
Catholics to Holiness and Service, St. Anthony Messenger
Press, 2005. See www.catalog/americancatholic.org
Kevin McKenna, You Did It For Me: Care of Your Neighbor
as A Spiritual Practice. Ave Maria Press, 2005.
See www.avemariapress.com
Romero, Oscar, The Violence of Love. Plough Publishing
House, PA, 1998. See www.plough.com
MATERIALS NEEDED
Bible
Crucifix
Nametags
Prayer Cloth
Candle/Matches
“Wrapped” Gift
Markers, Pens, Pencils
CD Player/Boom Box
Music Selections
(borrow from the Parish Media Center, the Choir Director,
the Worship Committee, or the Faith Formation Staff)
Serve One Another
Introduction to Stewardship
Week Three of a Five Week Series
developed for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
SUGGESTED MUSIC
We Are Many Parts – Marty Haugen, GIA Publications
We Have Been Told – Daivid Haas, GIA Publications
Go Make of All Disciples – Abingdon Press
The Servant Song – Richard Gillard, ASCAP
Servant Song – Donna Marie McGargill, OSM, OCP Publications
2
Authored by Jackie Staley for the
Department of Stewardship & Pastoral Services
August 2006
11
SENDING FORTH AND
CLOSING PRAYER
Some prayerful music is played before the closing prayer.
Spend those moments of silence in thanksgiving for
all the goodness shared and enjoyed together.
Romans 12:9-16
Leader
We will serve the Lord.
Side I
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil,
hold fast to what is good. Serve the Lord!
Side II
Love one another with mutual affection;
outdo one another in showing honor.
Serve the Lord!
Side I
Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit.
Serve the Lord!
Side II
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering,
persevere in prayer. Serve the Lord!
Side I
Contribute to the needs of the saints;
extend hospitality to strangers.
Serve the Lord!
Side II
Side I
Side II
All
Bless those who persecute you; bless
and do not curse them. Serve the Lord!
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep
with those who weep. Serve the Lord!
Live in harmony with one another; do not
be haughty, but associate with the lowly.
Serve the Lord!
Week Three
Service
Display a bible, crucifix, a lighted candle
and a wrapped gift on a cloth.
The leader welcomes the members
of the group. If new members are
present, each introduces her/himself.
The leader can begin the session by
reading the introduction aloud.
INTRODUCTION
Jesus said that he came to us – not to be served – but to serve and
give his life for all of us.
The cross symbolizes the extent to which he would serve—to his death
on a cross. By the flame of the candle we are reminded of his
resurrection and abiding presence with us in the Holy Spirit.
Our service is represented by the wrapped gift, the talents, the time, the
skills that allow us to serve God and one another.
We will serve the Lord!
10
3
OPENING PRAYER
Leader
Let us begin by asking God to bless
our reflection and prayer time together.
Our prayer is from the Gospel of John.
John 15:8-16
“By this is my Father glorified, that you
bear much fruit and become my disciples.
As the Father loves me, so I also love
you. Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments,
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s
commandments and remain in his love.
I have told you this so that my joy
might be in you
and your joy might be complete.
FAITH IN ACTION
1. Share the treasure of God’s love by volunteering at a St.
Vincent de Paul store or local food pantry.
2. Serve your parish by volunteering for a liturgical,
educational, outreach or youth ministry opportunity.
3. Give of your time this week to help a family whose gift of
time is limited.
4 Give of one of your special talents this week to celebrate
love in your family.
5. Set aside time to treasure the spiritual gifts God has
given you.
6. Express your concern for the common good to your
legislator on a regular basis on a multitude of issues..
No one has greater love than this:
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I
command you.
It was not you who chose me,
but I who chose you and appointed
you to go and bear fruit that will remain.
All
This I command you: love one another.”
4
9
FAITH SHARING
1. “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter
45:10) Comment on this passage.
2. Considering your bounty of gifts from God, where does
service to God and others rank for you?
3. “If our jobs do not contribute to the common good, we
pray to God for the grace to give them up.” (Dorothy
Day) What did she mean by “the common good”? How
does stewardship relate to the common good?
4. How would you compare and contrast service to the
common good from service to the church?
A READING
excerpted from the
U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Pastoral Letter:
Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response (1992).
Because its individual members do collectively make
up the body of Christ, that body’s health and well-being are
the responsibility of the members – the personal
responsibility of each one of us. We all are stewards of the
church.
As “to each individual the manifestation of the Spirit
is given for some benefit.” (I Corinthians 12:7), so
stewardship in an ecclesial setting means cherishing and
fostering the gifts of all while using one’s own gifts to serve
the community of faith…
There is a fundamental obligation arising from the
sacrament of baptism…that people place their gifts, their
resources – themselves -- at God’s service in and through
the church. Here also Jesus is the model. Even though his
perfect self-emptying is unique, it is within the power of
disciples, and a duty, that they be generous stewards of the
church, giving freely of their time, talent and treasure.
God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them
to help each other. (1 Peter 4:7-1)
8
5
A REFLECTION
A poem by R. Tagore tells of a beggar by the side of the
road and of a king who passed by. The king asked the
beggar for a gift from his raggedy bag. The beggar was
shocked. “The king should be giving something to me.
What can I give him?” he thought to himself.
The beggar reached into his bag and gave just one piece of
corn to the king.
Later that day the king stopped by the beggar again and
gave him one piece of gold. The beggar was miserable,
greatly regretting his failure to give the king all he had!
If I hold back on giving of my time, talents and treasure, I
can’t expect to receive a generous amount of time, talent
and treasure in return.
“The measure with which you measure will be measured
out to you.” Mark 4:24
When we consider that all that we have and all we are is
God’s gift to us, we can give of ourselves and our goods
generously and joyfully.
“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…”
I Peter 4:10-11
6
Think of your gifts: leading, organizing, writing, singing,
parenting, cooking, sewing, building, and on and on. The
message from 1st Peter and the words of the bishops in
their pastoral letter quoted earlier suggest that if we have a
gift we are obliged to use it for the good of others. If we
have time, we need to see if we are using it well. If we
have monetary resources, are we sharing them
generously?
Serving one another is a component of stewardship that
flows clearly from the opening prayer of the 15th chapter of
John’s gospel. No one has greater love than this: “to lay
down one’s life for one’s friends.” Now Jesus did ultimately
lay down his life for us with his death on the cross, but he
also laid down his life for us in serving – healing, teaching,
feeding, loving one person at a time.
We do the same when we give of our time, our energy, our
resources, our goodness, sacrificing some comfort, some
free time for the sake of another. Giving of ourselves to
others makes us their friends. Jesus said it and we know it
is true, even if we don’t have a close relationship to the
them.
“Love one another” is put into concrete action
when we serve in those oh-so-many ways.
7
FAITH SHARING
CONVERSATION THAT TRANSFORMS US
In this ever-changing, ever-expanding global world, our
awareness that each person has an unique but limited experience
continues to grow. Without conversation, honest and respectful
dialogue, we have only our own truth. Conversation can call us
out of ourselves to hear and consider the points of view and
experiences of others.
When Christians gather to share faith and study the scriptures,
they are gathering together as church. Jesus promised to be with
us wherever two or more gather in his name.
Faith sharing is dynamic and relational. It requires participants to
respect and honor one another. As a group, talk about what you
value in how participants treat one another. Your group may
suggest principles such as:
Small Faith Sharing Group
Five Week Program
** Respect everyone. Each of us has his or her own unique
experience that can contribute to the fuller truth the group sees
collectively.
for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
** Listen intently; pay attention to others' efforts to communicate
their own story. Listening attentively is an act of respect.
** Communicate your experience; put it into words, share it with
the group. Each must accept responsibility of contributing.
Everyone’s experience will be richer for it.
** Always ask questions when others’ contributions do not make
sense to you. Restate what you think you heard but ask for
affirmation or clarification.
** Be comfortable with silent times; do not talk just to fill up quiet
space.
** Keep conversations confidential. What is said in the room—
stays in the room. When people share at a personal level, trust
is essential.
12
WEEK FOUR
A GENEROUS HEART
Sharing
Participant’s Guide
1
GENERAL FACILITATOR NOTES
Prepare for the meeting; calculate a time frame to follow. Have details
set and ready ahead of the appointed gathering time.
Welcome everyone at the door. Distribute nametags if needed.
If someone is missing from your session—arrange for a quick check in
and inform the rest of the group.
Arrange seating so that everyone can see each other easily.
Encourage people to stay with the group—discourage looking ahead.
At the end of this session, decide who will serve as a facilitator for the
next gathering.
Relax, enjoy one another, and let the Spirit do its work!
MATERIALS NEEDED
Bible
CD Player/Boom Box
Nametags/Markers
Prayer Cloth
Red hearts cut out of construction paper, one for each
participant in the group.
Music Selections
(borrow from the Parish Media Center, the Choir Director,
the Worship Committee, or the Faith Formation Staff)
SUGGESTED READING
U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, “Stewardship: A
Disciple’s Response,” Pastoral Letter of U. S. Bishops,
1992. See www.usccb.org/stewardship/index.htm
Hershey, Terry, Sacred Necessities: Gifts for Living with
Passion, Purpose, and Grace. Ave Maria Press, 2005.
See www.avemariapress.com
Schut, Michael, ed., Simpler Living, Compassionate Life:
A Christian Perspective. Living the Good News Publishers,
Denver, Co., 2000. See www.livingthegoodnews com
Wicks, Robert, Everyday Simplicity: A Practical Guide to
Spiritual Growth. Ave Maria Press, 2000.
See www.avemariapress.com
A Generous Heart—Sharing
Introduction to Stewardship
Week Four of a Five Week Series
developed for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
SUGGESTED MUSIC
Where Your Treasure Is – Marty Haugen, GIA Publications
What Return Shall We Make – Vince Ambrosetti
International Liturgy Publications
City of God – Dan Schutte, OCP Publications
All That We Have – Gary Ault, Damean Music (Distributed by GIA)
Where Charity and Love Prevail – World Library Publications
2
Authored by Jackie Staley for the
Department of Stewardship & Pastoral Services
August 2006
11
SENDING FORTH AND
CLOSING PRAYER
Some prayerful music is played before the closing prayer. Spend a few
moments of silence in thanksgiving for all the goodness shared and enjoyed
together. Pass out a heart to each person as a reminder of the theme of this
sharing. Recall the presence of God.
Psalm 146: 2, 5, 7, 8
Leader:
Let us praise God all our days.
Side I
I will praise the Lord all my life,
sing praise to my God while I live.
Side II
Happy those whose help is Jacob’s God,
whose hope is in the Lord, their God.
Side I
The Lord keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free.
Side II
The Lord gives sight to the blind.
The Lord raises up those who are bowed down,
The Lord loves the righteous.
Leader:
All
The Lord protects the stranger,
sustains the orphan and the widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
Let us praise God all our days.
The Lord shall reign forever,
through all generations. Alleluia!
10
Week Four
Sharing
Display a Bible with red hearts —
one for each of the members
of the group.
Open the Bible to 2 Corinthians
The leader welcomes the members of the group. If new
members are present, each introduces her/himself. The leader
can begin the session by reading the introduction aloud.
INTRODUCTION
“Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
(Luke. 12:34)
Sharing comes from the heart, the symbol of love. The heart
sustains life, so giving from the heart speaks of bold, generous
sharing—giving that is both a privilege and the responsibility of a
Christian steward.
3
FAITH IN ACTION
OPENING PRAYER
2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 10.
(All pause to recall the presence of God.)
Leader
God’s goodness lasts forever!
All
God’s goodness lasts forever!
Reader I
Consider this: whoever sows sparingly
will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully.
All
God’s goodness lasts forever!
Reader II
Each must give as you have made up
your mind, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.
All
God’s goodness lasts forever!
Reader III
God is able to make every grace
abundant for you, so that in all things,
always having all you need, you may
have an abundance for every good work.
1. Many parishes emphasize sacrificial giving, use those
guidelines to determine your parish support. For more
information on sacrificial giving, contact your parish
stewardship chairperson..
2. Each day for a week, use one of the following passages
from the Gospel of Luke for prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit
to guide your prayer. Reflect on how each passage
relates to your life and family responsibilities.
12:13-21
18:18-27
16:9 -13
12:33-34
14:28-33
12:22-32
19:11-26
Sacrificial Sharing
Weekly Giving
Annual
Income
1.5%
2.5%
5.0%
10%
$10,000
$3
$5
$10
$20
All
God’s goodness lasts forever!
$20,000
$6
$10
$20
$40
$30,000
$9
$15
$30
$60
Reader IV
The one who supplies seed to the
sower and bread for food will supply
and multiply your seed and increase
the harvest of your righteousness.
$40,000
$12
$20
$40
$80
$50,000
$15
$25
$50
$100
$60,000
$18
$30
$60
$120
$70,000
$21
$35
$70
$140
God’s goodness lasts forever!
$80,000
$24.50
$40
$80
$160
$90,000
$27
$45
$90
$180
$100,000
$30
$50
$100
$200
All
4
9
FAITH SHARING
1. What about the Bishops’ words on sharing printed on
page five challenge you? Relate that challenge to the
Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission.
2. How is stewardship as a conversion process especially
needed when donating money to the church or
charitable institutions?
3. What are the things you need to do if you want to be free
from “the chains that bind” – anxiety over money
matters?
4. How is limiting Christian stewardship to money matters
missing the point? Could one be tithing and still be
remiss as a Christian steward?
5. How does one balance personal financial needs with the
need to be generous? How do you think God will judge
us in this matter?
A READING
excerpted from the
U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Pastoral Letter:
“Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response (1992)
While many Catholics are generous in giving of themselves
as well as with their financial resources to the church,
others do not respond to the needs in proportion to what
they possess. Sharing is not an option for Catholics who
understand what membership in the church involves. It is a
serious duty. It is a consequence of the faith which
Catholics profess and celebrate.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the “faithful and prudent
steward” as one whom a householder sets over other
members of the household in order to “distribute the food
allowance at the proper time.” Evidently, good stewards
understand that they are to share with others what they
have received, that this must be done in a timely way and
that God will hold them accountable for how well or badly
they do it. For if a steward wastes the owner’s goods and
mistreats the other household members, “that servant’s
master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown
hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place
with the unfaithful.”
Lk.12:46
Christian stewards are generous out of love as well as duty.
They dare not fail in charity and what it entails, and the New
Testament is filled with warnings to those who might be
tempted to substitute some counterfeit for authentic love.
For example: “If someone who has worldly means sees a
brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the
I John.3:17
love of God remain in him?”
8
5
A REFLECTION
Christian stewardship includes prayer, service and
sharing as a way of life. A Christian steward recognizes
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.” (Psalm. 24:1)
All is gift – even what we work hard to earn. Sharing
God’s gifts is part of the picture of a steward. Sharing the
money we receive is the part that runs against the grain of
our consumer culture that says, “I worked hard for my
money and it is mine, all mine.”
Bombarded with ads that pull us to want more
conveniences and instant pleasure, Christians today have
to counter these messages with their belief in the
teachings of Jesus. The New Testament presents story
after story, teaching upon teaching of the call to be
generous with our resources. In the Gospel of Luke
alone, there are fourteen teachings on the right use of
riches within just eight chapters!
Is the Gospel of Luke anti-rich? No. This seems to
be the message:
Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have
wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier
for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than
for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God…[But]
what is impossible for human beings is possible for
God.”
Luke. 18:24-27
In other words, if we are well-off and have the heart of a
steward, Jesus draws us to God and frees us from the
control money may have over us. We need not hoard nor
be anxious over sharing these gifts.
6
7
FAITH SHARING
CONVERSATION THAT TRANSFORMS US
In this ever-changing, ever-expanding global world, our
awareness that each person has an unique but limited
experience continues to grow. Without conversation, honest
and respectful dialogue, we have only our own truth.
Conversation can call us out of ourselves to hear and consider
the points of view and experiences of others.
When Christians gather to share faith and study the scriptures,
they are gathering together as church. Jesus promised to be
with us wherever two or more gather in his name.
Faith sharing is dynamic and relational. It requires participants
to respect and honor one another. As a group, talk about what
you value in how participants treat one another. Your group
may suggest principles such as:
** Respect everyone. Each of us has his or her own unique
experience that can contribute to the fuller truth the group
sees collectively.
Small Faith Sharing Group
Five Week Program
for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
** Listen intently; pay attention to others' efforts to
communicate their own story. Listening attentively is an act
of respect.
** Communicate your experience; put it into words, share it with
the group. Each must accept responsibility of contributing.
Everyone’s experience will be richer for it.
** Always ask questions when others’ contributions do not
make sense to you. Restate what you think you heard but
ask for affirmation or clarification.
** Be comfortable with silent times; do not talk just to fill up
quiet space.
** Keep conversations confidential. What is said in the room—
stays in the room. When people share at a personal level,
trust is essential.
12
WEEK FIVE
COMMITMENT
My Pledge of
Prayer, Service, and Sharing
Participant’s Guide
1
GENERAL FACILITATOR NOTES
Prepare for the meeting; calculate a time frame to follow. Have
details set and ready ahead of the appointed gathering time.
Welcome everyone at the door. Distribute nametags if needed.
If someone is missing from your session—arrange for a quick check
in and inform the rest of the group.
Arrange seating so that everyone can see each other easily.
Encourage people to stay with the group—discourage looking ahead.
Relax, enjoy one another, and let the Spirit do its work!
SUGGESTED READING
Clements, C. Justin, Stewardship: A Parish Handbook.
Liguori, 2000. See www.liguori.org
Heriot, Peter J., ed., Catholic Social Teaching: Our Best
Kept Secret. Orbis Books, 1985. See orbisbooks.com
Colleen Smith, Catholic Stewardship: Sharing God’s Gifts.
Our Sunday Visitor, 2001. See www.osv.com
Ron Rolheiser, Against an Infinite Horizon: The Finger of
God in our Everyday Lives. Crossroads Publishing
Company, 1995. See www.cpcbooks.com
MATERIALS NEEDED
Bible
Candle/Matches
CD Player/Boom Box
Nametags, markers
Individual taper candles, one for each participant
Music Selections
(borrow from the Parish Media Center, the Choir Director,
the Worship Committee, or the Faith Formation Staff)
Commitment
My Pledge of Prayer, Service, and Sharing
Week Five of a Five Week Series
developed for the
Stewardship Campaign:
Advancing the Mission
SUGGESTED MUSIC
The Summons – John Bell, GIA Publications
What Return Shall We Make – Vince Ambrosetti
International Liturgy Publications.
Servant Song – Donna Marie McGargill, OSM, OCP Publications
Center of My Life – Paul Inwood, OCP Publications
Lord, You Give the Great Commission – Jeffrey Rowthorn
Hope Publishing
2
Authored by Jackie Staley for the
Department of Stewardship & Pastoral Services
August 2006
11
SENDING FORTH AND
CLOSING PRAYER
Play some prayerful music before the closing prayer.
Spend a few moments of silence in thanksgiving for all the
goodness shared and enjoyed together.
Week Five
Commitment
My Pledge of Prayer, Service, and Sharing
Distribute the tapers. Light each other’s taper from the prayer candle.
Leader
Side I
We have spent five weeks together praying and
sharing our beliefs and values about the challenge
of Christian stewardship as disciples of Jesus.
Display a Bible and a candle,
symbols of Christian commitment.
This closing prayer is our commitment to take the
next steps as a family, as individuals.
Open the Bible to Psalm 37.
Gracious and loving God, you call us to be
disciples of your Son Jesus and good stewards of
all your gifts.
Side II
Open our minds and hearts to a greater
awareness and appreciation of your countless
blessings.
Side I
Transform us through the power of your Spirit to
nurture a Stewardship way of life that is marked
by faith-filled prayer, service to our neighbor and
generous sharing.
Side II
Teach us to be faithful stewards of your gifts.
With Mary’s help, may we return ten-fold the gifts
entrusted to us.
All
Bless our stewardship campaign efforts
with an ever deepening devotion to prayer, a
strengthening of our commitment to service, and
an intensifying pledge of generosity as we work to
advance the mission for our generation and all to
come.
Leader
We pray through Christ our Lord
All
Amen!
10
Have enough tapers on the
table — one for each of the
members of the group.
INTRODUCTION
read by the leader as candle is lit
Jesus yearned that his disciples follow him, in his work with others, in
his life with the Father. The Word of God in Sacred Scripture guides
our understanding of how to follow Jesus.
The candle, long a sign of the light of Christ, is a committing our lives
to spreading the light of God’s Good News!
3
OPENING PRAYER
FAITH IN ACTION
Psalm 37:3-6; 26; 28
(All pause to recall the presence of God)
Leader
Commit your way to the Lord!
All
Commit your way to the Lord!
Reader I
Trust in the Lord and do good that you may
dwell in the land and live secure.
Commit your way to the Lord!
Reader II
Find your delight in the Lord who will give
you your heart’s desire.
Commit your way to the Lord!
Reader III
Commit your way to the Lord; trust that God
will act, and make your integrity shine like
the dawn. Commit your way to the Lord!
Reader IV
Neither in my youth, nor now in old age have
I ever seen the just abandoned or their
children begging bread?
Commit your way to the Lord!
Reader V
The just always lend generously
and their children become a blessing.
Commit your way to the Lord!
All
Commit your way to the Lord!
4
1. Spend time in prayer each day for a week, asking God
for the wisdom and grace to know how you and your
family should respond as Christian disciples. Use
some of the scripture references used throughout
these faith sharing weeks.
2. List the elements of stewardship: prayer, service and
sharing. Under each element, decide what you are
already doing and what you will be able to commit to
for the future. Under sharing, include the Green Bay
Diocese. We have a special opportunity by responding
in solidarity with Catholics throughout the Diocese of
Green Bay with the Stewardship Campaign: Advancing
the Mission.
9
FAITH SHARING
1. Name your beliefs and values connected to charitable
giving that you want to pass on to your children,
grandchildren, or other family members.
2. What has been your plan to transmit those beliefs and
values?
3. What will it cost you in terms of personal sacrifice and
hardship to be an effective Christian steward of God’s
gifts? What is your next step to work towards your
goal?
4. What means are available to help you reach your
stewardship goal?
A READING
excerpted from the
U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Pastoral Letter
“Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response” (1992)
The life of a Christian steward, lived in imitation of the life of
Christ, is challenging, even difficult in many ways; but both
here and hereafter it is charged with intense joy. Like Paul,
the good steward is able to say, “I am filled because of all
our affliction.“
(2 Corinthians 7:4)
excerpted from the National Catholic Stewardship Council’s
Stewardship: Disciples Respond A Practical Guide for Pastoral Leaders (1997)
Stewardship, in its simplest terms, asks us to put God’s
priorities before our own. Good stewards give the first
portion of their gifts of time, talent, and treasure to the
Lord’s work in gratitude for God’s many blessings. This
practice of giving of our “first fruits” incorporates the aspect
of sacrificial giving.
I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the
other contributors to the temple treasury. For they have
all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from
her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole
livelihood.
Mark 12:43-44
God does not judge us by how much we give,
but by how faithful we are in making the gift.
8
5
A REFLECTION
“God does not judge us by how much we
give, but by how faithful we are in making the
gift.”
Dan and Mary like their parish where their family attends
most weekends. Dan’s job has been steady, but recent
rumors of cutbacks have left him uneasy. The family
finances have been stable, but the future is his concern.
Dan and Mary have discussed money values with their
children, such as buying out of need rather than want,
sharing with others, and giving some of their allowance to
the church.
But they‘re concerned about their own sacrificial giving to
the church and other charities they value.
When we were baptized and confirmed, we committed
ourselves to follow Jesus, to be his disciples. Now, in the
context of the broad, spiritual understanding of stewardship,
we are asked to make a commitment to stewardship as a
way of life.
That way of life includes pledging ourselves to daily prayer,
to service of others and to sharing of the treasure that we
enjoy. What amount of our budget can we offer to God
through our parish and other charities?
We have a special opportunity by responding to the
Diocese of Green Bay’s Stewardship Campaign: Advancing
the Mission.
We believe that God is faithful to us. Let us be faithful to
God in pledging from the gifts that God has given us.
How should they balance budget concerns with their desire
to be a family that values generosity?
Their discussion is typical. All of us who value generosity
need to sit down and “do the math.” But it’s the context that
makes the difference.
For the past five weeks, we have discussed stewardship in
the context of being good stewards of prayer, service and
sharing, recognizing that everything we have and are is a
gift from God for us to use, to protect and to develop. With
that foundation, we turn to making the actual commitment to
living that kind of life.
6
7
Kids’ Poster, Essay, and Poetry Contest Ideas
One of the goals of our diocesan wide Stewardship Campaign: Advancing the Mission is to bring
Catholics of all ages into a deeper understanding and appreciation of Stewardship as a Way of Life, a
life marked by prayer, service, and sharing. One effective way to encourage this, for both children and
adults, is through the sponsorship of parish essay, poetry, and/or poster contests. Invite all children and
youth from the parish, students from both the Catholic school and faith formation program to write
essays, or poetry, or to design colorful posters around the stewardship themes of prayer, service and
sharing. Some suggestions for showcasing the art, poetry, and essays include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Invite parish service organizations to sponsor a variety of contests and provide appropriate
recognition for all participants.
Feature selected essays or poems as bulletin inserts, print in the parish newsletter; upload to the
parish web site.
Sponsor a parish art show in the parish hall or gathering area, display all the posters. Invite
parishioners for coffee and donuts after mass to visit the display and meet the “artists.”
Feature posters as covers for parish bulletins or print placemats for use in the social hall.
Display the posters at every entrance and exit way of the church.
Invite children to read their essays or poems following communion at weekend masses.
Posters, essays, and poems can be organized and solicited in a variety of ways including:
•
•
An overall theme of Stewardship – A Way of Life, a life marked by prayer, service and sharing.
Have different grades focus on different aspects or themes of the five week Inspiration Phase. A
weekly theme approach solicits new material over the five week period and enhances awareness of
each aspect of the Inspiration Phase. The five themes could be organized as:
Week I
Week II
Week III
Week IV
Week V
Stewardship as a Way of Life — It’s Way More Than Just Fundraising
Prayer – Communication with God
Service – Service to our Neighbors Near and Far
Sharing – Generous Sharing of Our Financial Assets
Commitment to New Levels of Stewardship-Prayer, Service, and Sharing
Need Additional Help? Want to share your ideas?
Contact your parish RSI Consultant or
Susan Perrault
Stewardship and Pastoral Services
920-272-8306 or 877-500-3580 toll free ext 8306
[email protected]
Whole Parish Community Catechesis
Intergenerational
Faith Festival Gathering
A Planning Guide and Resource Kit
Developed to assist in the organization and facilitation of an
intergenerational, young and old, families, empty-nesters,
singles, the whole parish community, to gather together to
explore stewardship as a way of life.
To order a free kit contact:
Patti Christensen
(920) 272-8304
Toll free 1-877-500-3580 ext. 8304
Email: [email protected]
Stewardship As a Way of Life
Whole Parish Community Catechesis
Intergenerational
Faith Festival Gathering
The planning kit includes:
Suggested Schedules
including shared meal options
Opening and Prayer Experience
Small group learning experiences for:
4 year olds thru Kindergarten
1st and 2nd Grades
3rd thru 5th Grades
6th thru 8th Grades
High School
Adults
All suggested movie clips are available through the
Diocesan Pastoral Center
A large group sharing experience
Closing Prayer
Free telephone consultations available
to make your
whole community catechesis intergenerational
gathering a SUCCESS!
With grateful acknowledgment and appreciation this kit was
compiled, created, and crafted for the Department of Stewardship and Pastoral Services by:
Patti Christensen of the Department of Evangelization & Worship—Diocese of Green Bay
Jane Lyons of Resurrection Parish in Green Bay
Andrea Sabor of the Department of Education—Diocese of Green Bay
Jamie Whalen of Nativity Parish in Green Bay