Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the Stewardship Renewal

Stewardship is:

1. The grateful response of a Christian disciple
2. Who recognizes and receives God’s gifts
3. And shares them in love of God and neighbor.

Explanation of 2011 Stewardship Theme:

In three succinct phrases, Stewardship is explained.   For three years, each phrase has been highlighted as the Stewardship Renewal theme culminating in this year’s 2011 theme reminding us the committed action of “what to do” and “why:”

“Sharing these gifts in love of God and neighbor.”

At the Eucharistic sacrifice and celebration we give thanks to God concluding with the bishop or priest proclaiming:

“The Lord be with you.”  And soon we will respond, “And with your spirit.”

Giving the final blessing, he concludes with the following command:

“The Mass is ended, go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

In doing so, he might as well say:

“You have responded to God with gratitude,

recognizing and receiving God and His gifts at this Mass,

now GO, and share them in love of God and neighbor!”

Attending Mass is wondrous indeed, but if we never left the church building to share what we received, we would look pretty silly sitting there forever.  From the textbook of Stewardship, the Holy Scriptures, we read James reminding the early church: “For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26)

Sharing God’s gifts in love of God and neighbor is the life-giving spirit to a steward.

Our poster this year will depict this life-giving action: the procession from the Mass to go and share God’s gifts, in love of God and neighbor.  A necessary and natural response to what has occurred at the Holy Eucharist.

ONGOING FORMATION PERIOD FOR PARISH STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS

It's s time to begin planning for the parish renewal process in March, April and May.

Under the direction of the parish pastor, the primary responsibility of the parish stewardship council is to assist the pastor in forming parishioners to be Christian stewards.

In order to effectively fulfill the role and duties entailed in serving as a parish stewardship council, those selected to serve must, on an ongoing basis, be formed in the spirituality of stewardship witnessing to such in their own Christian way of life and actively involved in the process of forming Christian stewards within their parish community. 

There are three distinct phases of the annual stewardship renewal calendar, the Preparation Phase, the Call to Commitment Phase and the Follow-Up Phase, all encompassing a 9-month period of time from June through February. 

Importantly as well is the three month Ongoing Formation Period specifically for parish stewardship council members during the months of March, April and May 2012 (Refer to Annual Renewal Calendar under “Services & Resources” menu page).

This important three-month Ongoing Formation Period is a time for intense and ongoing formation for parish stewardship council members.  It is also an opportune time for the parish stewardship council to discern, plan and develop the steps it will take in continuing the ongoing formation of all members of the parish in the spirituality of stewardship.

Suggested activities during this three-month formation period might include:

• A review of the U S Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship – A Disciple’s Response (Published by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) The United States Catholic Church of Bishops web site is: www.usccb.org
• A review of the four-part DVD series entitled “The Spirituality of Stewardship”  (Published and available for order from the Catholic Diocese of Wichita) http://catholicdioceseofwichita.org/office-of-stewardship/documents/doc_view/1547-qspirituality-of-stewardshipq-dvd-formation-series
• A study of the “Characteristics of A Christian Steward” (Published by Catholic Diocese of Wichita and available for download on the documents page of this web site) http://catholicdioceseofwichita.org/office-of-stewardship/documents/doc_view/282-characteristics-of-a-christian-steward-
• A study of “A Parish Stewardship Council Handbook – The Formation of Christian Stewards” (Published by Catholic Diocese of Wichita and available for download on the documents page of this web site)  http://catholicdioceseofwichita.org/office-of-stewardship/documents/doc_view/284-parish-stewardship-council-handbook-

If you have questions about this ongoing formation period for parish stewardship councils, please contact the Office of Stewardship; Dan Loughman This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Patty Powell This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by e-mail or phone 316-269-3900.  We would be happy to assist you.