Parishioner Leads Us In Thinking About Stewardship
Edited excerpts from Tina Trch’s talk on Stewardship in Spring 2003
I think of stewardship in a personal, grace-filled way-- give generously of the gifts God gave me— show my love for His people. Further the work of the Church. Christ tells us to do this.
Many of my fellow parishioners inspire me in their loving acts of stewardship.
§
When I look at the altar and think … I love that someone came in early to set the table and light the candles and arrange flowers for our Supper with the Lord.This lovely place draws my spirit and my mind to heaven.
§
On Sunday, a stranger might have come in our church doors. Someone--a tender- hearted greeter ---who knows he is the voice and eyes of God ---made her feel welcome and not awkward. She’ll come back again.§
We have 2 priests to minister to thousands of parishioners. Today, one of our parishioners will be helping our priests, and will give me the Lord’s very body and blood to fortify my soul. I could probably not have this without that someone---unless our liturgies were a few hours long.§
Someone will visit nursing homes and hospitals Sunday to share Communion and a kind word with our brothers and sisters.§
A few of our teens and a busy mom, teacher and wife go to the Hesed House in Aurora to play with homeless children for a few hours each month. It’s such a dreary place. --- These volunteers are the playful Jesus bringing a bit of light to these homeless little ones. No one was there before them.§
About 200 families had food on the table this month because someone remembered and took time to give food or money. Someone stocked the shelves of the Food Pantry… or helped lead the whole big effort.§
Someone will be helping out with the Thrift Shop—keeping this endeavor invigorated and working well. Two women, busy wives and moms, are leading the whole big effort.§
Someone will collect our gift of money this weekend ---and someone will count it.§
Someone in the prayer circle prayed this month on behalf of a request one of you made … and God heard… and God moved a mountain for you… one you thought could not be moved. Two of our seniors lead this effort.§
A family or two during Lent took the time to make a spiritual bouquet, offering prayers, a Mass, a visit to the Blessed Sacrament for specific people at a homeless shelter. Three people who were not working before have jobs. One man went back to church after years of absence.§
Some soldier’s family in Geneva was fed this month by some of you… They did not need the food…. But oh, they needed to know that tender hearts cared. Several suffering with short term illnesses had meals prepared and delivered by loving hands.§
Many give a portion of their gift of income so that our church can open it’s doors to: provide worship services, offer Sacraments, educate, foster spiritual renewal, enable charitable works, comfort the grieving, celebrate, support ministries with space and tools, offer opportunities for friendship and more.Who would do all this—if not them—the sacristans, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, musicians, greeters, homebound visitors, Hesed House volunteers, Food Pantry Volunteers, Deja Vu Volunteers, Ushers, food preparers, deliverers, Sunday counters, pray-ers, clerical volunteers, attentive parishioners. Who would do it all?—If not all of us----WHO?
It takes all of us to make our community just what God wants it to be. Anything less means we are diminished.
STEWARDSHIP is a way of life. It is a term that can help us--- in a single word ---be reminded of so many teachings from God.
§
He told us to take care of one another.§
He told us to take care of the widows and orphans.§
He told us to take care of the sick, tend the dying, bury the dead.§
He told us to bring others to Him.§
He told us to worship and honor Him.§
He told us to tithe.§
He gave us the Eucharist and told us to repeat it always in memory of Him.God promises us over and over that He will richly reward us.
§
What we give will be returned generously to us.§
God’s generosity is never outdone.§
God knows and will provide for our needs.God calls EVERYONE. --- And there is something to do for EVERYONE in EVERY stage of life.
He made us stewards of each other--- and of His church…
That is what giving our time, talent and treasure is about. It is at the core of His teaching. Time, Talent and Treasure are important gifts we are all called to give back for the good of our soul and the benefit of our world.
Thanks for thinking about this with me and thanks for all you do to further His kingdom and be His light of love. If you haven’t joined in the giving of your gifts, I pray that you will! You are needed!!!