2014 Orlando, Florida October 5-8

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1 2014 Orlando, Florida October 5-8 International Catholic Stewardship Council CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP May 2014 e-bulletin A STEWARDSHIP PRAYER for May Loving Father, During this Easter season, we rejoice in your son, who has renewed us in freedom and joy through the mystery of his resurrection. We have been called to proclaim his Gospel; not because we are good enough, holy enough, or talented enough; but because you wanted us to have this gift and this responsibility. Give us the courage to be faithful to this call; Help us make every day of our lives an experience of Easter. And keep us ever mindful of our charge: to go in peace to love and serve the Lord; that as stewards of your world; we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to transform it, bring it justice and peace, and offer it, in gratitude, back to you. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen. Christian Stewards: People of the Resurrection For those immersed in the secular world, Easter is long over. The pastel bunnies, the chocolate eggs, the color-splashed jelly beans which appeared in the marketplace so temptingly just as Christians were beginning the fasting of Lent, have long been swept from the store shelves to be replaced in anticipation of the next marketable holiday. For the Christian steward, how backward this all seems. Yes, we believe that the Paschal mystery and the life-changing events of Easter are not over. They are not an end but a triumphal beginning, and they have altered us in a quite radical way. The mystery and miracle of Easter challenge us to live as different people, as people of the Resurrection. What does this mean? For those new Catholics who participated in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), a period of mystagogy helps to understand this mystery. Indeed, this ancient Greek word We have lived through Lent and the Paschal mysteries, all the while trying to deepen a relationship with the person of Christ. actually means to lead through the mysteries. During mystagogia, many parishes introduce their new members to service in a quite practical way. Here are the ministries of the parish; here are the charities we support; here are the needs of our community and our congregation. How do you choose to live out your faith in the Resurrection in a quite tangible and real way? How do your gifts fit into our needs? Essentially, however, this is a question that the Easter season calls forth in all Christian stewards not just our newest members. We have lived through Lent and the Paschal mysteries, all the while trying to deepen a relationship with the person of Christ. It s as simple, yet as amazing and complex as that. The deeper the relationship grows, the more we become rooted in it, the more this relationship with Christ comes to dominate our lives. We no longer compartmentalize Jesus, we hold him at our center. And the mysteries lead us to the fundamental question at the heart of all Christian stewardship, the question that Easter compels us to ask: How do I steward my resources my time, my money, my abilities and gifts, my very life so that they are in service to the Kingdom of God? It s not a part-time question. It s not a seasonal question that s swept off the shelf periodically. It s the basic question which the Easter season demands of us: Jesus, how do you want me to serve you?

2 Mother s Day: A Stewardship Reflection May 11 is Mother s Day in the U.S., and similar holidays are celebrated in most countries. After all, what theme is more universal than the importance of motherhood? We Catholics prize that nurturing relationship so highly that we call our church, Holy Mother, and we venerate Mary, the mother of Jesus, for her pivotal role in the life of the savior. Yet, Mother s Day can bring with it a plethora of emotion and memories. Any mother can attest to the difficulty and challenge of the task of parenting. And mothers come in all shapes and sizes. Some mothers are birth mothers, some are adoptive. Some mothers are the grandmas or aunts who raised us. Some mothers left us far too soon, and no matter when they leave, they always leave us orphans. Some mothers are the people we rebelled against; some mothers are the women we idolized. Most often, our mothers were probably both. It s a complex relationship, this parenting. As Christian stewards, many of us are mothers, but all of us are sons and daughters. During May, we honor and remember not just our own moms, but Mary, the Mother of God. We see her as the great symbol of motherhood and as our role model. At her knee, Jesus learned his prayers and the faith of his ancestors. At her hearth, Jesus grew in wisdom and grace and developed his sense of manhood and destiny. Mothers should resist comparing themselves to Mary. It s tough enough being a mom without setting the barrier that high. But we all should ask Mary s intercession, so that in our endeavors to be good stewards and to raise good stewards, to nurture in the faith those entrusted to us, she might come to our assistance and guide us with her motherly understanding. And on Mother s Day, we ask Mary to bless all mothers, especially our own October 5-8 Orlando, Florida Stewarding Our Families at Home and in the Church REGISTER TODAY! ICSC MEMBER EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION $499 visit

3 STEWARDSHIP SAINT FOR MAY St. Philip Neri Philip Neri was born in 1515 in Florence, Italy, during a time of intensive reform and vigorous renewal in the Church. The Council of Trent convened on three occasions during his lifetime. He went to Rome in 1532 where he lived in extreme poverty, but devoted himself to visiting the sick and helping poor children. With his engaging style, he evangelized young Florentines of the banking and merchant class. He arranged informal prayer and discussion groups. In 1548 he established an organization to provide hospitality for pilgrims to Rome and to care for shut-ins. At the urging of his confessor, Philip at age 36 was ordained a priest. He soon earned a reputation for being an outstanding confessor and spiritual director; gifted with being able to pierce the pretenses and illusions of others and to help them see the truth about themselves. He received penitents and visitors from all walks of life, from cardinals to the very poor. Many were attracted by the warmth of his personality, his wit, unpretentiousness and cheerfulness. Some of Philip s followers became priests. Five of them lived together with him in community and began to share a common life under his direction. The group eventually grew and became the Congregation of the Oratory, which was approved in They are best known in England through their most famous member, Cardinal John Henry Newman. Philip and the Oratorians introduced a new style of personal spirituality for the laity, and encouraged them to give public testimony to their faith, put on theatrical productions and compose and play songs with religious themes. Philip suffered a stroke on May 25, 1595 and died the next morning. He was canonized a saint in 1622, although many church leaders considered him a saint even in his lifetime. He was known as the Apostle of Rome for evangelizing and reviving a spirit of faith among the city s populace. His many friends included Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Charles Borromeo and Francis de Sales. He is the patron saint of the city of Rome. His feast day is May 26. REGION XI Stewardship Conference May 4-6, 2014 Crowne Plaza Anaheim Resort Garden Grove, California On the Stewardship Journey Register Online at If you have questions, please contact the Orange Catholic Foundation at (714) or stewardship@oc-foundation.org. More conference details can be viewed at

4 MERCY This article is part 11 in a series of 12 reflections on stewardship virtues by ICSC member, Dan Potvin, Director of Stewardship for the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, Canada. Choosing to be a disciple of Jesus Christ transforms our lives. For example, we take on a new identity, which includes that of a steward; we adopt an entirely new set of priorities; and, we are called to live a life of mercy. The Catholic Church has blessed us with a concretely defined model for living a life of mercy in the Corporal and Spiritual Acts of Mercy. Note that they are called Acts. Mercy is love and compassion in action it requires that we take action. The Corporal Acts of Mercy are obvious expressions of stewardship: Give Drink to the Thirsty - Clothe the Naked - Shelter the Homeless - Visit Those in Prison - Comfort the Sick - Bury the Dead. One of the Spiritual Acts of Mercy is to Admonish Sinners. In one s initial consideration of the Spiritual Acts of Mercy, a person might consider the most challenging to be Admonishing Sinners. However, this merciful act has often been referred to as the greatest act of mercy. When we admonish sinners, we allow God to work through us, to set the conditions for souls to be saved because people may turn to God and receive His mercy and salvation. Admonishing In one s initial consideration of the Spiritual Acts of Mercy, a person might consider the most challenging to be Admonishing Sinners. others takes courage and tact. Good stewards do this less by their words and more by living a Christian lifestyle that others are attracted to! It is not by proselytizing that the Church grows, but by attraction. (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium) The definition of admonishing actually makes the idea quite attractive Admonish: to advise, caution, counsel against something especially in a mild and good-willed manner. How are we being good stewards by doing this? In the Word of God and Church Teaching we find truth, and this is a gift that we can share in many ways, primarily by our actions but also with our speech. A good admonisher is always careful to choose the right words and the right moment, and most importantly it should be done in a manner that affirms the dignity of the person they are admonishing. A life that is lived in the concern for the salvation of others is good stewardship and, a life lived in mercy.

5 Called. Transformed. Sent to serve. BECOME AN ICSC MEMBER TODAY It will enhance your stewardship efforts tremendously! International Catholic Stewardship Council Who is ICSC? The International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) is a professional organization recognized internationally as a source of education, networking and information to advance the ministry of Christian stewardship as a way of life in the Roman Catholic Church in dioceses and parishes worldwide. ICSC is the only organization dedicated exclusively to advancing Christian stewardship in North America as well as overseas. Founded in 1962, ICSC has over 1,200 members representing over 800 dioceses and archdioceses, parish communities, Catholic organizations and professional firms. ICSC Provides Expert advice for introducing Christian stewardship to your parish community Techniques proven to revitalize parish life Practical stewardship ideas Support for teaching stewardship to children Reflections for preaching stewardship A network of speakers for parishes and diocesan gatherings Conferences that offer the wisdom and experience of those committed to stewardship as a way of life Retreats that offer in-depth reflection and study on Christian stewardship Publications that inform and enhance our understanding of stewardship Access to stewardship resources, models and samples online Opportunities to exchange ideas and information with stewardship parishes in North America and beyond Best practices for promoting stewardship in the parish Membership Includes Discounts for conferences, institutes and publications Membership directory Access to past conference presentations Monthly parish e-bulletins offering weekly reflections, prayers, bulletin inserts and much more Web site section for members only with the latest parish stewardship resources Access to parish leadership planning tools Opportunities to exchange ideas, network, share best practices and grow in faith The promotion of the practice of stewardship is important for the mission of the Church and for the spiritual well-being of each individual Christian. Everyone benefits from the sacrificial gift one makes of his time, talent, and treasure. -Pope Benedict XVI

6 A STEWARDSHIP MOMENT Third Sunday of Easter Weekend of May 3 / 4, 2014 As today s gospel reveals, the first meal shared with the risen Lord happened in a place called Emmaus. Perhaps there is no better time to reflect on this story than in those prayerful moments at Mass when we return to our place after receiving Holy Communion. Those few moments give us an opportunity to reflect on our stewardship of Christ s presence within us. We have a chance to practice hospitality by inviting Jesus into our hearts to walk and talk with us about our own Emmaus journey. We can relive once again the time when he broke bread for the disciples. And just as they did, we too can recognize Christ in this meal we have just shared with others. Fourth Sunday of Easter Weekend of May 10 / 11, 2014 In today s first reading Peter tells his listeners that if they want to follow Jesus they must go against the world, to become what Christian stewards would consider countercultural. For stewards, being countercultural can consist of surprisingly small decisions small acts of reorientation to remind them daily that in spite of their life situation, their citizenship, financial status, or color of their skin, they belong, through their baptism, to a new world order in Jesus Christ. Stewards understand that their daily choices should witness to his gospel, not to the trends, attitudes or spending practices of their culture. Stewardship requires us to ask of our daily habits and decisions: In the light of Christ s Gospel, is this important? Fifth Sunday of Easter Weekend of May 17 / 18, 2014 In the first letter of Peter, we are taught that God made us and chose us to reveal to the world who he is. Christian stewards understand that they do not live for themselves. They live to be stewards of Christ s presence within them, and to make his presence known to others. They do it at Mass. They do it in faith-sharing groups. They do it at work. And they do it daily in a thousand different ways; and where they express their love for God and others in a manner that suits their situation and personality. Name for yourself some of the ways this week you will make Christ s presence known to others. Sixth Sunday of Easter Weekend of May 24 / 25, 2014 In today s gospel we go back in time to listen to Jesus as he gives instructions at the Last Supper. His words speak to all of us as he is preparing us to be sent out into the world to proclaim his Good News. The gift of the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the entire community of faith to do this work, not just a few. No one is to be excluded. Are we inclusive of everyone in our community? Are there those we choose to exclude because we don t like them? In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, what do we intend to do about it? International Catholic Stewardship Council 1275 K Street, NW, Suite 880 Washington, DC T: (800) F: (202) We encourage you to check out the ICSC Forum at under members where members can share ideas and questions. The Parish Stewardship section is reviewed every day by members of the Parish Stewardship Education and Services Committee. parishstewardship@catholicstewardship.org