Stewardship is a way of life. It is a way of giving thanks to God for the blessings we’ve been given by returning a portion of the time, talent and financial resources that have been given to us by God. It is based on the individual’s need to give, not on the Church’s need to receive. By practicing stewardship we deepen our relationship with the Lord. Stewardship involves intentional, planned and proportionate giving of time, talent and treasure.
+ Intentional means a deliberate and well thought out decision to live out the Christian life in a certain way.
+ Planned means that each Catholic household plans and makes stewardship of time and talent a part of their lifestyle and stewardship of treasure a part of its budget.
+ Proportionate means a decision is made to give a certain percentage of one’s time and talent and one’s income to the church and other community charities.
Stewardship Prayer
“My parish is composed of people like me.
I help make it what it is.
It will be friendly, if I am.
It will be holy, if I am.
Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them.
It will do great work, if I work.
It will be prayerful, if I pray.
It will make generous gifts to many causes,
if I am a generous giver.
It will bring others into worship,
if I invite and bring them.
It will be a parish of loyalty and love,
of fearlessness and faith, of
compassion, charity and mercy, if I,
who make it what it is,
am filled with these same things.
Therefore, with the help of God,
I now dedicate myself to the task of being all things that I want my parish to be.
Amen”