Deacon John’s Stewardship Blog

Thank you to everyone who returned the post card that helped us update our parish roster. As of the end of September, our parish roster is 100% updated with e-mail addresses, cell phone numbers and new mailing addresses. This will enable us to become much more effective in all our ministries.

In this week’s bulletin, our parish financial report from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 is enclosed. Through the leadership of Fr. Mike and our commitment to a stewardship spirituality, I am happy to announce that we are a parish that is vibrant and on the move.

Our parish has hundreds of people that are willing to give their time wherever needed, whether in ministry, social events or fundraising with joyful hearts. We have so many parishioners that have been blessed with unique God-given talents that are willing to share them freely with others. We most certainly are a parish blessed with generous parishioners who share their treasures with a humble heart.

The fruits of a stewardship spirituality are abundant. We have new individuals and families joining our parish weekly. Our parish has numerous ministries spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone from the very young to the very old. The giving of our treasures has increased our parish revenue almost 12% since 2017 and we are 100% debt-free. This has enabled us to make many improvements in our parish to prepare it for the next generation. Some of them include new tabernacle, new lighting, new bathrooms, updated refrigeration system in our parish, improvements to our parish house and the meticulous maintenance of our parish grounds and cemetery, etc.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

II Corinthians 9:6-8.

God bless,  Deacon John, Director of Stewardship                                                                                                                                                            

Dear Parents with young children in church,

You are really doing something important. I know it’s not easy. I see you with your arms over-flowing and you probably come to church already tired. Parenting is tiring!

I see you bounce and sway trying to keep the baby quiet. I see you with your toddler and your preschooler. I see you cringe when your little child asks an innocent question in a voice that might not be an inside voice, let alone a church voice.

I know you might wonder, is this worth it? Why do I bother? I know you often leave church more tired than when you came. But what you are doing is important.

When you are here, the church is full of joyful noise! When you are here, the Body of Christ is more present. When you are here, I believe that our pews won’t be empty in the years to come.

I know it’s hard but thank you for what you do when you bring your children to Mass. Please know that your family – with all its noise, struggles, commotion and joy are not simply tolerated. You are a vital part of our parish community and an example of commitment to parenthood and to Jesus Christ.

Thank you,
Deacon John

Dear Friends,

         Since October is a month dedicated to Our Lady, let us take a few minutes  to consider how Mary lived stewardship–the giving of her time, talent, and  treasure.  Although the word “stewardship” might not have even been part of the Jewish vocabulary, Mary lived stewardship in her everyday life.

 How did Mary give of her time?  When Mary traveled  from Nazareth to Jerusalem, she certainly gave of her time to her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist.   Mary could have thought, “I do not have time to spend several months with Elizabeth. Anyway, who is going to help me prepare for my baby?”

Recall the Wedding Feast of Cana.  Mary must have had a talent for anticipating the needs of others.  She  knew how to help others  be joyful.  Mary even got Jesus to share his talent of changing water into wine.

Unselfishly, Mary gave us her greatest treasure, her Son, Jesus.  Think of the Pieta statue depicting  Mary holding the broken body of Jesus. That statue is a sign of how  Mary gave away her greatest treasure for our redemption.

Like Mary, let us live our stewardship every day.

Sister Bernadine Janci, SND

One of my favorite stories Bishop Murry often shares is his call to become an altar server when he was a young boy. This call not only led him to the Catholic faith but also to the priesthood and eventually to become our bishop. I love this story because it proves that when we answer God’s call, it can lead us to places we never imagined.

Pope Francis acknowledged the important role of altar servers during a special evening of prayer that drew 9,000 young people to St. Peter’s Square. Serving at the altar, the Pope told the young people, is a privileged way to draw closer to Jesus, which in turn “enables you to open your self to others, to journey together, to set demanding goals and to find strength to achieve them.”

I would like to suggest that all parents should consider encouraging their children to become altar servers. There are many positive things your child will experience being part of this ministry. They will be engaged in parish life, experience new friendships, learn discipline, and have the best seat in the house!

We are so blessed to have so many young people who answered God’s call to serve at the altar. All our children, (end of Gr. 2 and up), are welcome to serve! If you have any questions, feel free to talk with Fr. Mike or myself.

God bless,  Deacon John