Call to Stewardship. Together for the Children of God! Fortnight for Freedom! Archdiocese of Newark. The Office of Development & Stewardship

Transcription

1 Archdiocese of Newark Call to Stewardship The Office of Development & Stewardship Summer 2014 Inside this issue: Seton Hall basketball team gives back All Box Tops For Education Will Awareness and PG Seminar Must Know Emergency Numbers Chancery Summer Collection Summer Reads 6 Bulletin Reflections 7 9 Bulletin Reflections: Spanish Together for the Children of God! Have you heard the news lately? Lately all you hear is a shooting in a school and children/ teenagers being hurt. Today parents send their children to school with the fear that something may go wrong. Its becoming more and more common for students to be hurt in school. School is supposed to be a safe place where our children can learn and keep away for the danger of the streets. How safe are schools now? Let s keep our children/youth in prayer. Father God we thank for the lives of our children/youth. We thank you for your great love towards them and for being by their side. Lord Father we pray that you protect them and guide them through the path of righteousness. That you cover them with the blood of Christ and keep them away from harm. In Jesus name, Amen. Tatiana Paredes Special Events Coordinator Office of Development and Stewardship 171 Clifton Avenue Fortnight for Freedom! Fortnight for Freedom takes place June 21 - July 4, This year's theme will focus on the freedom to serve the poor and vulnerable in accord with human dignity and the Church's teaching. For more information visit org. Newark, NJ paredeta@rcan.org

2 PAGE 2 CALL TO STEWARDSHIP SUMMER 2014 Seton Hall basketball team gives back! SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. Members of the Seton Hall men s basketball team spent Friday morning giving back to the local community as they volunteered their time at the Saint John s Soup Kitchen in Newark, N.J. Footsteps from their home court at the Prudential Center, the Pirates aided the dedicated staff at Saint John s in distributing hundreds of meals to the needy. They also assisted in organizing the pantry for future meals that will be served. We are fortunate to have opportunities like this to make a difference in our local community, said Head Coach Kevin Willard. As members of the Seton Hall community, it is important to do our part to assist others who are in need. Experiences like these help us gain new perspectives through connecting with our neighbors who appreciate the support. We always enjoy when we have a chance to come out and give back, added junior forward Brandon Mobley. It is important to show that being at Seton Hall is about more than just basketball. We are fortunate to have all that we do and it is rewarding to be able to show our appreciation for the people who support us all year. Located in the heart of Newark, Saint John s Soup Kitchen provides over 700 meals daily to those who come hungry and in need. Today, Saint John s has served over 6,000,000 breakfasts and dinners, which has been made possible solely from the support of free-will donations. Saint John s also offers a medical services unit that is staffed by a full-time nurse and two volunteer doctors. For more information visit All about Box Tops For Education Please save your Box Tops (if you are not already saving for someone) and mail to Lynn Gully to benefit our Catholic Grammar Schools. Please mail to: Lynn Gully, Archdiocese of Newark, 171 Clifton Avenue, Newark, NJ Help make a difference! Box Tops for Education is one of the nation s largest school fundraising loyalty programs and has been helping schools succeed since With over 250 participating products, it s an easy way for schools to earn cash for the things they need. Over 90,000 K-8 schools participate nationwide Each Box Tops coupon is worth 10 and they add up fast! Schools can use their Box Tops cash to buy whatever they need most, from books to field trips to playgrounds. So far, America s schools have earned over $600 million from Box Tops and counting. Once you start looking, you'll see these little pink coupons everywhere! Each Box Top coupon is worth 10 for your school. Each eligible school participating in the Box Tops for Education program may earn up to, but not more than, $20,000 cash per year (beginning on March 2 of every year) from the Clip program.

3 PAGE 3 CALL TO STEWARDSHIP SUMMER 2014

4 PAGE 4 CALL TO STEWARDSHIP SUMMER 2014 Must Know Emergency Numbers! Here is a helpful guide to emergency Scripture numbers for those times of need! Do not be afraid to call on the power of prayer when in need of assistance. Please note: Emergency numbers may be dialed direct. No operator assistance is necessary. All lines to heaven are open 24 hours a day! Feed your FAITH, and DOUBT will starve to death! Congratulations! Three seminaries in the Archdiocese of Newark educate and train our future priests. In several recent years, our Archdiocese has ordained more men to the priesthood than any diocese in the United States. This year, the Archdiocese of Newark welcomed 13 newly ordained Transitional Deacons and 12 Priests. Please pray for them!

5 PAGE 5 CALL TO STEWARDSHIP SUMMER 2014 Chancery Summer Collection: School Supplies! According to a national survey, a whopping 97% of teachers frequently dip into their own pockets to purchase necessary classroom supplies. With that said, the Chancery will be collecting school supplies from July 1 to July 31 for our Catholic grammar schools. By holding a School Supply Drive we ensure that students start school with the supplies needed to participate fully in the learning process. Please help if you can. The supplies can be dropped off at the Development Office, care of Tatiana Paredes, whose contact information is as follows: or paredeta@rcan.org. Note to our parishes: This makes for a great summer stewardship project! Following is a partial list of the supplies requested: Number 2 pencils Scissors Folders Erasers Protractors Crayons Filler paper Markers Backpacks Calculators Glue sticks Binders Rulers Composition notebooks Construction paper Index cards Tab dividers Spiral notebooks Pencil pouches Highlighters Dictionaries Tape Book covers Pens

6 PAGE 6 CALL TO STEWARDSHIP SUMMER 2014

7 PAGE 7 CALL TO STEWARDSHIP SUMMER 2014 July 2014 September 2014 July 6, th Sunday in Ordinary Time STEWARDSHIP BULLETIN REFLECTIONS For my yoke is easy, and my burden light. - Matthew 11:30 When we think of being good stewards, we may think that God is asking too much of us when He calls us to generously share our time, talent and treasure. However, we must remember that we are not owners of anything, we are merely stewards of the gifts God has given us. All He is asking is that we give back a small portion of what He has already given to us. July 13, th Sunday in Ordinary Time The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word but then the cares of the world and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. - Matthew 13:22 Does the lure of riches and material goods choke God out of your life? Are you so caught up in worldly activities and anxieties that you have no time for God? Good stewardship is a lifestyle to be lived every day. It effects all the decisions we make. It s not just the time we spend at Mass every Sunday. July 20, th Sunday in Ordinary Time The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. - Matthew 13:24, As children of God, we are all good seeds, blessed by God with the potential to accomplish much good in the world. We fulfill God s plan when we share our talents and our financial gifts to help build God s kingdom on earth. Through our stewardship we sow good seeds on earth to ultimately help each other get to Heaven! July 27, th Sunday in Ordinary Time We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purposes. - Romans 8:28 Do you really trust God? Do you believe that all things work for good? Faith is a challenge for everyone at times. Putting our trust in God, in everything we do, means that God s plan for our lives may be different than our plan. When one door closes, another one opens. Trust in God, His plan is always better.

8 PAGE 8 CALL TO STEWARDSHIP SUMMER 2014 August 3, th Sunday in Ordinary Time Why spend your money for what is not bread; your wages for what fails to satisfy? - Isaiah 55:2 Of all the ways we are asked to be generous, giving our money can be the most challenging. God understand this. Remember though that we are called to be generous with all our gifts, including our money. We are called to give from our first fruits and not from what is leftover. August 10, th Sunday in Ordinary Time After the fire, there was a small whispering sound. - 1 Kings 19:12 For many of us, our prayers are petitions to God, asking Him for something we want. How many times do we take time, in silence, to ask God what He wants from us? How do we know what God wants us to do unless we listen for Him on a regular basis? August 17, th Sunday in Ordinary Time For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. - Romans 11:29 God has a special mission in mind for each of us. He has given us the gifts we need to accomplish that mission. We are called to be good stewards by using those gifts to do the work that He has planned for each of us. If we deny our gifts or fail to use them as God calls us to use them, then some part of His work will be left undone. August 24, st Sunday in Ordinary Time Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid? - Romans 11:35 St. Paul reminds us of a central fact of stewardship. We cannot give the Lord anything, because God already owns it all. God made everything. All that we can do is return a portion of God s many gifts back to Him. Sincere gratitude for our gifts opens our hearts to joyful generosity! August 31, nd Sunday in Ordinary Time What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? - Matthew 16:26 St. Francis of Assisi once said, Remember, you are what you are in the eyes of God, and nothing else. We often forget this stewardship wisdom when we spend all of our time, talent and treasure to gain more of the world s riches. We need to set our priorities based on God s values and not the values of the material world.

9 PAGE 9 CALL TO STEWARDSHIP SUMMER 2014 September 7, rd Sunday in Ordinary Time You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel. - Ezekiel 33:7 Many of us are generous with our gifts. However, how often is our generosity at the minimum level required? We do just enough or give just enough. Remember, the Lord calls us to be generous with all the gifts He has given us, to grow them and return them with increase. September 14, 2014 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son - John 3:16 God gave us the gift of His son so we can enjoy eternal salvation. Of all our gifts, our life, is the most precious. We belong to God. This is why we must take time every day to ask Him how He wants us to use the life He has given us. September 21, th Sunday in Ordinary Time So the last will be first and the first last - Matthew 20:16 You ve heard the saying it s not where you start but how you finish. This certainly applies to this Bible passage. We have a responsibility not only for our own lives, but for the lives of others as well. We are called to generously share our gifts with others, not hoard them for our own use. Through our gratitude and generosity we help each other get to Heaven! September 28, th Sunday in Ordinary Time Son, go out and work in the vineyard today. - Matthew 21:28 Christian discipleship is not easy, God never promised it would be. But, what He did promise is that if we put Him first in all things, He will provide all that we need. Through our daily decisions we have the opportunity to generously share our gifts and help those who may not be in position to help themselves.

10 PAGE 10 CALL TO STEWARDSHIP SUMMER 2014 REFLECCIONES DEL BOLETIN DEL ESPIRITU DE SERVICIO Julio 2014 Septiembre de julio, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario Porque mi yugo es fácil y ligera mi carga. - Mateo 11:30 Cuando pensamos en ser buenos servidores, pensamos que Dios pide demasiado de nosotros cuando nos llama a compartir generosamente nuestro tiempo, talento y riqueza. Sin embargo, debemos recordar que no somos "dueños" de nada, que solo somos "servidores" con los regalos que Dios nos ha dado. Lo único que Él nos pide es que devolvamos una pequeña parte de lo que nos ha dado. 13 de julio, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario Y el que fue sembrado en espinas, este es el que oye la palabra, pero el afán de este siglo y el engaño de las riquezas ahogan la palabra y se hace infructuosa. - Mateo 13:22 Los encantos de la riqueza y los bienes materiales alejan a Dios de su vida? Está usted tan inmerso en actividades y ansiedades mundanas que no tiene tiempo para Dios? Un buen espíritu de servicio es un estilo de vida que debe vivirse cada día. Afecta todas las decisiones que tomamos. No es solo el tiempo que pasamos en Misa todos los domingos. 20 de julio, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario El reino de los cielos puede compararse a un hombre que sembró buena semilla en su campo... El que siembra la buena semilla es el hijo del Hombre, y el campo es el mundo, y la buena semilla son los hijos del reino. - Mateo 13:24, Como hijos de Dios, somos todos "buenas semillas," bendecidos por Dios con el potencial para lograr el bien en el mundo. Cumplimos con el plan de Dios cuando compartimos nuestros talentos y nuestros regalos financieros para ayudar a construir el reino de Dios en la Tierra. Por medio de nuestro espíritu de servicio cosechamos "buenas semillas" en la Tierra para que al final nos ayudemos los unos a los otros a llegar al Cielo 27 de julio, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario Sabemos que para los que aman a Dios, todas las cosas cooperan para bien, esto es, para los que son llamados conforme a su propósito. - Romanos 8:28 Usted confía de verdad en Dios? Cree en que todas las cosas contribuyen al bien? La fe es un desafío para todos en algún momento. Al poner nuestra confianza en Dios, en todo lo que hacemos, significa que el plan de Dios para nuestras vidas podría ser diferente a nuestro plan.

11 PAGE 11 CALL TO STEWARDSHIP SUMMER de agosto, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario Por qué gastáis dinero en lo que no es pan, y vuestro salario en lo que no sacia? - Isaías 55:2 De todas las maneras que se nos pide que seamos generosos, dar nuestro dinero puede ser la más difícil. Dios lo entiende. Eso sí, recuerde que se nos llama a ser generosos con nuestros regalos, incluyendo nuestro dinero. Se nos llama a dar nuestros "primeros frutos" y no las "sobras". 10 de agosto, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario Después del fuego, el susurro de una brisa apacible. - 1 Reyes 19:12 Para muchos de nosotros, nuestras oraciones son peticiones a Dios, pidiéndole algo que queremos. Cuántas veces nos tomamos el tiempo, en silencio, para preguntarle a Dios que quiere de nosotros? Cómo sabemos que es lo que Dios quiere si no lo escuchamos a diario? 17 de agosto, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario Porque los dones y el llamado de Dios son irrevocables. - Romanos 11:29 Dios tiene una misión especial en mente para cada uno de nosotros. Él nos ha dado los regalos que necesitamos para lograr esa misión. Se nos llama a ser buenos servidores al usar aquellos regalos para hacer las cosas que Él tiene planeado para nosotros. Se negamos nuestro regalo o no lo usamos de la forma que Dios nos pide que lo usemos, parte de Su trabajo quedará sin hacer. 24 de agosto, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario Quién le ha dado al Señor para que se le tenga que recompensar? - Romanos 11:35 Sn. Pablo nos recuerda cual es el punto principal del espíritu de servicio. No le podemos dar nada al Señor, porque Dios ya lo tiene todo. Dios lo creó todo. Lo único que podemos hacer es devolver una porción de Sus regalos. La gratitud sincera por nuestros regalos abre nuestros corazones a la dichosa generosidad! 31 de agosto, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario Que provecho obtendrá un hombre si gana el mundo entero, pero pierde su alma? - Mateo 16:26

12 PAGE 12 CALL TO STEWARDSHIP SUMMER 2014 Sn. Francisco de Asis dijo una vez, "Recuerden, son lo que son en los ojos de Dios, nada más." Muchas veces olvidamos esta sabiduría del servicio cuando usamos todo nuestro tiempo, talento y tesoro para ganar más riquezas mundanas. Necesitamos fijar nuestras prioridades basadas en el valor de Dios y no en el valor del mundo material. 7 de septiembre, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario Tú, hijo de hombre, te he puesto por centinela de la casa de Israel. - Ezequiel 33:7 Muchos de nosotros somos generosos con nuestros regalos. Sin embargo, cuántas veces nuestra generosidad esta al más mínimo nivel requerido? Hacemos o damos solo lo necesario. Recuerde, el Señor nos llama a ser generosos con todos los regalos que Él nos ha dado, para hacerlos crecer y devolverlos incrementados. 14 de septiembre, 2014 La exaltación de la Santa Cruz "Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo, que dio a su único Hijo..." Juan 3:16 Dios nos ha dado el regalo de Su Hijo para que podamos disfrutar la salvación eterna. De todos nuestros regalos, nuestra vida es la más preciada. Nosotros pertenecemos a Dios. Es por eso que debemos tomarnos tiempo diariamente para preguntarle cómo quiere que usemos la vida que nos ha dado. 21 de septiembre, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario Así, los últimos serán primeros, y los primeros, últimos. - Mateo 20:16 Segura que ha escuchado el dicho "No se trata de donde se comienza, sino que donde se termina." Esto ciertamente aplica a este pasaje bíblico. Tenemos la responsabilidad no tan solo sobre nuestras vidas sino que también sobre la vida de los demás. Se nos llama a compartir generosamente nuestros regalos con los otros, no a acapararlos para nuestro propio uso. Por medio de nuestra gratitud y generosidad nos ayudemos los unos a los otros a llegar al Cielo! 28 de septiembre, o Domingo de tiempo ordinario Hijo, ve, trabaja hoy en la viña. - Mateo 21:28 El discipulado cristiano no es fácil, Dios nunca prometió que lo fuese. Pero, lo que si prometió es que si lo ponemos a El antes de cualquier otra cosa, El proveerá todo lo que necesitemos. Por medio de nuestras decisiones de cada día tenemos la oportunidad de compartir generosamente nuestros regalos y ayudar a aquellos que no están en una posición para ayudarse a sí mismos.