Stewardship Ministry
"Time, Talent and Treasure"
Gracious Lord, you have given me so much, I have time, health, talent and resources. I have more than is necessary. Broaden my thankfulness with the freedom to give. Allow me to trust that if I give out of my abundance, you will not neglect my needs in the future. Motivate me to share with those who have less. Help me to realize that when I give to others, I mirror your generosity in giving to me. Amen.
(The Faith Connection; August 1, 2010)
Stewardship is a way of life. It is a way of living each day in gratitude for all the blessings that God has given to us. The roots of stewardship can be found in the Bible, which tells us over and over that God is the Creator and Giver of all gifts. It is our responsibility to show our gratitude to God for these gifts, by giving back to Him the "first fruits."
We do not own the gifts God gives to us. We are only here on earth to use those gifts to do God's work.
In 1992 the U.S. Catholic Bishops released a pastoral letter on stewardship entitled: Stewardship: A Disciple's Response. The Bishops described a Christian steward as one who:
- Receives God's gifts gratefully
- Cherishes and tends them responsibly
- Shares them in justice and love
- Returns them to God
Sharing our gifts and returning them to God means giving generously of our time, talent and treasure. We give to God by sharing with our faith community and with those in need. Time and talent can be shared by becoming involved in parish life, volunteering and offering a helping hand. Treasure can be shared by making a conscious effort to make a financial gift to the Church and other charities.
Director of Stewardship: Karen Roach, kroach@holyfamilyfw.org
Assistant Director of Stewardship: Monica Molina,mmolina@holyfamilyfw.org
Thoughts on Giving
By Archdiocese of St. Louis
February 5, 2012
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed…He told them, ‘Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.’” - Mark 1:35, 38
Through today’s Gospel reading we see a perfect example of stewardship. Jesus gives His time to doing all that God wishes - healing the sick and preaching. Yet Jesus also makes time to be alone in prayer. It is only through prayer, through spending time with God, that any of us can find the strength to do all that God wishes us to do. Be sure to find time this week to be with God.
February 12, 2012
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Brothers and sisters: Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Are you doing everything possible for the glory of God? Or is there maybe some other way that you could generously share your time, talent or treasure for God’s glory? Think about it.
February 19, 2012
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“He rose picked up his mat at once and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’” - Mark 2:12
Have you taken any time lately to think about how truly good God has been to you? He may not have to cure your paralysis if He has already given you the gift of mobility. But do we glorify and thank Him for such simple gifts as sight, and speech, and general health? Do we generously give back to God in proportion to all the many blessings He has given to us?
February 26, 2012
1st Sunday of Lent
“After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God….” - Mark 1:14
Do you ever think about how difficult it must have been for Jesus to come into Galilee, knowing that John had just been arrested for teaching the same message that Jesus was proclaiming. It must have taken great love and trust for Jesus to do what the Father had sent Him here on earth to do. In the same way, following a life of stewardship takes great love and trust from us. We must be willing to surrender completely to God, trusting that God will always give us all that we need to fulfill His plan for us.
March 4, 2012
2nd Sunday of Lent
“’Here I am!’ he answered.” - Genesis 22:11
It is easy to say, “Here I am, Lord,” when we are kneeling in church. Can we just as easily answer, “Here I am, Lord,” when we go home, when a neighbor needs our help, when a fellow parishioner asks us to join a committee, or when a letter asks for our financial help? These are often exactly the places where Jesus calls us to be.
March 11, 2012
3rd Sunday of Lent
“You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything…” - Exodus 20:4
Have you created idols for yourself in different shapes? An idol can be in the shape of money, sports, fashion, travel, or anything else we value more than God and His Word to us.
March 18, 2012
4th Sunday of Lent
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” - John 3:16
Of all the wonderful gifts that God has given to us, the gift of His own Son is truly the greatest. How can we ever thank God for a gift like that? God does not ask us to sacrifice our own precious firstborn, but He does ask that we be generous in making some sacrifices for Him.
March 25, 2012
5th Sunday of Lent
“I will be their God and they shall be my people.” - Jeremiah 31:33
What does it mean to be God’s people? It means that first we recognize that everything we have and everything we are truly belongs to God. It also means that we are willing to use our gifts and our lives to care for the world just as God cares for us.