Stewardship - A Way of Life
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THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP

 

Welcoming the Stranger

Our task as good stewards is to fulfill the Gospel mandate to “welcome the stranger” by helping newcomers feel welcome and helping other parishioners be welcoming. Some may fear change because they may feel displaced and others may fear the newcomers themselves because they are perceived as being too “different”. Keep encouraging, keep inviting your Hispanic or Brazilian or Haitian members to become involved. Is your parish multi-cultural in its welcoming and hospitality? In its parish governance? In its communications? Make a decision to become Church for the stranger. “To be in apostolic community, church, is not necessarily to be with others with whom we are emotionally, ideologically, and otherwise comparable. Rather it is to stand, shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand, precisely with people who are very different from ourselves and, with them, hear a common word, say a common creed, share a common bread, and offer mutual forgiveness so as, in that way, to bridge our differences and become a common heart. “Church is not about a few likeminded persons getting together for mutual support; it is about millions and millions of different kinds of persons transcending their differences so as to become a community beyond temperament, race, ideology, gender, language, and background.” (Ronald Rohlheiser,)

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Stewardship of Time

When God gives us life, we don’t know how much time we have to use that life. But, whatever time we have is a gift from God, and we are called to use it wisely in every activity throughout the day.  

  • What time do you give to your relationship with God?

  • How do you care for your family, friends and community?

  • What percent of your free time do you spend watching TV?

  • What percent of your free time do you spend surfing the internet?

  • How do you care for your physical health?

  • Do you eat properly, exercise regularly, and allow time for leisure?

  • Are you an informed citizen?

  • Do you assume appropriate responsibility for the common good?

  • How well do you attend to the needs of the earth?

  • Do you properly use water, air, soil and other natural resources?

  • Do you properly use the gifts of technology, computers and mass media to make the world a healthier and safer place?

 Bishop Robert Morneau, Auxiliary Bishop of Green Bay, WI

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A B C's of Blessings

What God does for You

Accepts you as you are, Believes in you always, Calls to you deep in your heart, Doesn't give up on you, Envisions the whole of you—even the unfinished parts, Forgives your mistakes, Gives to you unconditionally, Helps you, Invites you Just to be with Him through the sacraments, the scriptures and prayer, Keeps you close to His heart, Loves you for who you are, Makes a difference in your life, Never judges you harshly, Offers you constant strength and courage, Picks you up, Quiets your fears, Raises your hopes, Shows you how to live like Jesus, Tells you the truth when you need to hear it. Understands you. Values you. Walks beside you. X-plains the meaning of life to you through people of faith and wisdom. “Yes, no or wait” is His answer to every prayer, Zaps you back to reality when you lose your way.

What You can do for God

Accept differences, Be kind to everyone, Count your blessings, Do good even when you don’t feel like it, Express thanks for all your blessings, Forgive and forget, Give freely, Harm no one, Imagine more, Jettison anger, Keep confidences, Love truly, Master something, Nurture hope, Open your mind, Pack lightly, Quell rumors, Return favors, Seek wisdom, Touch hearts, Understand, Value truth more than success, Work to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and build up His Church, X-amine your own heart instead of judging others, Yearn for peace, Zealously support worthy causes with your abilities, time and money.