The journey of  embracing stewardship as a way of life in the  Diocese of Wichita   has taught us many valuable lessons since 1985.  As we celebrate twenty-five years of this journey, the documents you find below attempt to capture some of those lessons.  We share these documents with you.  We pray that the contents of these resources may be helpful to you in your faith journey.  We can only share our own history and experiences in the Diocese of Wichita.  Therefore, if you use these documents in presentations, we would ask you to make note of the source.  The history continues to unfold.  May all of us seek to be faithful followers of Jesus by denying self, taking up the cross and following Him (Mt. 16: 24).

Parish Stewardship Formation Packet

"Parish Stewardship Formation Packet: Forming parishioners as stewards is a life time effort, but there are certain formational moments when the teaching of stewardship is ideal. Enclosed are helps for these key moments.

1.  Formational teaching of stewardship in the Sacrament of Baptism;
2.  Formational teaching of stewardship in the Sacrament of Marriage;
3.  Three helps in forming those receiving Catholic education and formation:

4.  Suggested ideas for a handout sheet for “Stewardship Opportunities for Youth;”
5.  Basic talking points about Stewardship with New Parishioners;
6.  A brochure for new parishioners explaining the four pillars of stewardship;

The Spirituality of Stewardship DVD Formation Series
and Facilitator Manual
Forming the mind and converting the heart to become a Christian steward is a life-long journey of faith.  This is true for the individual, the family, the parish, the diocese, as well as for the Universal Church.  During thi s journey, it has become very clear that formation precedes service. One must first be formed in the spirituality of stewardship prior to being sent into service in the parish and beyond.  Jesus Christ spent thre e years in ministry forming his disciples before he sent them out into service two by two, (cf. Luke 10:1-3).  The Diocese of Wichita embraced the journey of stewardship as a way of life in 1985.
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Characteristics of a Christian Steward
Identifies and describes personal characteristics that are essential and present in the lives of those individuals (stewards) who desire to fully know, love and serve Jesus. While there are many characteristics that could apply to stewards striving to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the following ten (10) seem essential and ever present: Prayer, Humility, Trust, Patience, Responsibility, Gratitude, Generosity, Simplicity,Mercy, Perseverance

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Call to Stewardship Brochure (English & Spanish Versions)
This brochure provides a personal reflection upon one's God given grace and giftedness and provides the opportunity to further reflect upon how one is using this grace and giftedness in service to the parish, diocese and the wider universal Church out of our love of God and neighbor.

This brochure can be downloaded and copied for distribution to parishioners or made available in the parish pamphlet rack. Copies can also be ordered from the diocesan Office of Stewardship.

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Parish Stewardship Council Handbook

This handbook provides a brief introduction to the spirituality of stewardship that precedes information addressing and assisting pastors and parishes in the selection and ongoing formation of parish stewardship council members. This handbook also provides an overview of best practices, duties and responsibilities of parish stewardship councils as they seek to facilitate a successful stewardship process within their parish communities.

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2011 Annual Parish Stewardship Renewal Schedule and Guidelines

This document lists the chronological dates for implementing the 2011 annual parish stewardship renewal.  The Preparation Phase begins in June.  The tasks for the stewardship council are listed with dates and deadlines given for this phase, along with the Call to Commitment Phase in October and Novemeber and the Follow-Up Phase in December, January and February.  When a parish stewardship council follows these guidelines and timeline, there is a greater success for the parish stewardship renewal.  The renewal calendar listed below supplements the timeline outlined in this document.

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2011 Renewal Calendar
This renewal calendar is a quick view, one-page calendar summary highlighting the most important dates and deadlines in the 2011 stewardship renewal.  Divided into the three phases of the renewal, (Preparation Phase, Call to Commitment Phase and Follow-Up Phase), the calendar supplements the document lists above, 2011 Annual Parish Stewardship Renewal Schedule and Guidelines.

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Annual Parish Stewardship Renewal Evaluation
This document is a great tool to assist the pastor and parish stewardship council in evaluating the annual parish stewardship renewal.  Divided into the three phases of the renewal, (Preparation Phase, Call to Commitment Phase and the Follow-Up Phase), this evaluation should be completed by the parish stewardship council in February or March.  When the parish begins preparation for the following year's renewal in June, this completed evaluation is of great benefit to the parish stewardship council.  "What worked well in our last renewal?  How can we improve for this coming year?"

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Pillars of Parish Stewardship

This manual seeks to assist members of stewardship committees, pastoral councils, pastors and parish leadership as together they seek to develop, design, implement, and renew a successful stewardship way of life in their parish. This manual also identifies important building blocks within, under and around the "pillars" to assure there is a sound structure in place.
The four pillars of hospitality, prayer, formation
and service invite parishioners to experience, witness and live the stewardship way of life in response to their baptismal call to discipleship.

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Parish Stewardship Handbook
An early document designed to facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive stewardship process in the parish.  The goal of the handbook is to provide step-by-step guidelines that will help create the opportunity for parishioners to live stewardship as a way of life and for parishes to carry out their mission.
The diocese currently uses Annual Parish Stewardship Renewal Guidelines which evolved from this document.

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Characteristics of a Stewardship Parish
The characteristics identified in this document are those that seemed evident at the time of publication and those that remain evident in viable and vibrant parishes where the "stewardship way of life" is practiced and facilitated, thus providing successful results.



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Young Stewards in Formation
This manual contains suggested and specifically prepared classroom stewardship curriculums for students in parish school of religion (CCD) programs as well as for students in Catholic elementary and secondary schools. The curriculums and related lesson plans are prepared to provide for and assist the catechists as they strive to convey and teach the concept of stewardship to our Catholic youth.

-Document currently being updated
Please Contact the Stewardship Office to learn more.