Stewarding Our Families: When Back to School means Back to the Family Dinner Table

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2 A STEWARDSHIP PRAYER for August Stewarding Our Families: When Back to School means Back to the Family Dinner Table Lord God, As we prepare for the transitions of August; of routines becoming regular, signs of schools beginning to emerge, and traffic patterns getting heavier, help us to appreciate the sacred rhythms in our lives. Give us the wisdom to make our hearts be still, much as the August wind is still, so that we may listen to the gentle words you speak to us. Help us understand that you alone are the source of every good gift, of the vast array of our universe, and the mystery of each human life. And help us see that we are called to be good stewards of all that you have entrusted to us; tending them faithfully and responsibly so they may ultimately be returned to you with increase. In this month of August while a measure of summer s stillness remains, speak to our hearts, guide us in your Son s ways, and through your Spirit, give us the strength to proclaim your justice and peace in our everyday words and deeds. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen. August brings us face to face with one of life s realities: summer vacation has to end. Children may groan and parents may breathe a sigh of relief, but one thing is certain. The beginning of school brings a return to routine, and this translates into less eating on the run and more scheduled meals around the family dinner table. It s not always possible for the whole family to eat together, but making it a priority at least some nights of the week can pay big dividends for the Christian steward trying to raise a family of faith. Here are a few dinner table tips: Everyone should know certain nights are family dinner nights. Look closely at everyone s schedule, make a plan, and then hold family nights sacred. Whether frozen pizza or prime rib, set the table nicely and sit down. Maybe light a dinner candle or pull out the cloth napkins now and then. Pick up a special dessert once in a while. Parents and kids often hit the dinner hour fatigued. Make an effort to relax. Start off with a smile and laughter, even when you d rather hit the couch. If you haven t already, begin the family custom of praying before meals in a spontaneous way. What was I most thankful for today? Where did I see a situation that calls for prayer? Let everyone take a brief turn. It may lead to a great conversation after the amen. Resist scolding or criticizing a child at dinner. Never demand to know why the math paper wasn t turned in, or why the kid will not get out of bed on time. Save it for a private discussion later. Allow the dinner table to be a place of welcome and support. Share the ups and downs of your own day. Listen respectfully to their exploits and complaints. As you review the day s events, don t forget God. Just as you are interested in what your children are reading in literature class or library hour, express an interest in what s being taught in religion class or in weekly faith formation. Set the rule that everyone remains seated until all are finished. Then the meal is complete. But the work s not done. Divide the duties of setting the table, clearing, washing, even cooking so that everyone has a role to play and the work goes quickly. Bring back the custom of an after dinner prayer, brief and blessed.

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4 STEWARDSHIP SAINT for August Saint Lydia of Philippi Lydia is the first recorded person in Europe to become a follower of Jesus Christ. She was Saint Paul s first baptized convert at Philippi. What we know of Lydia is found in the Acts of the Apostles. She was from Thyatira, an industrial center located in what is now western Turkey. She was a wealthy businesswoman; a manufacturer and seller of purple dyes and fabrics for which the city of Thyatira was noted. Lydia was part of a high value industry. Purple goods were luxury items, used by emperors, high government officials, and priests of the pagan religions. At the time of the narrative in Acts, Lydia and her household had moved to the city of Philippi, a Roman colony on the Rometo-Asia trade route. This is where she had her first encounter with Paul on his second missionary journey about the year 50. While visiting Philippi for the first time, Paul and his party came upon Lydia and a group of women gathered by the river that ran through the city center. He sat down and shared the gospel with them. Lydia listened intently, took the gospel message to heart, and she and her family were then baptized in the river. Lydia insisted on providing hospitality to Paul and his companions, so they made their home with her while in Philippi. She continued to help them even after they were jailed and released. As a successful businesswoman, her home would have been spacious enough to welcome guests and to become a place for community gatherings and liturgies. Paul cherished the members of the Christian community at Philippi and called them his joy and crown. Undoubtedly, Lydia s generous hospitality and leadership in the founding of this early Christian community contributed to Paul s affection. Saint Lydia s feast day is August 3. Leading for Change We who hope to lead people to embrace life as good stewards know in our hearts we have to be in it for the long haul. Making a commitment to follow Jesus Christ with our lives, and then to live and grow as good stewards is the work of a lifetime. Those of us who have accepted the responsibility for leading stewardship efforts in our parish or diocese recognize that this process is one of ongoing conversion in Christ. This is a process of change, for the individuals within our parishes and for the community of faith. Leading stewardship, then, is a process of change-leadership. The process is dynamic and is at least in part dependent upon our willingness to keep the call to live as good stewards in people s minds and hearts throughout the year, for many years to come. The work of John Kotter on change leadership can be quite helpful in this regard. Kotter suggests eight steps to effective change management. I believe each applies to our goal of fostering stewardship as a way of life, and present them here with a few accompanying thoughts for our consideration: 1. Establish a Sense of Urgency: As the United States Bishops pastoral letter on stewardship reminds us, Jesus call is urgent. He does not tell people to follow him at some time in the future but here and now at this moment, in these circumstances. There can be no delay. 2. Create a Guiding Coalition: Our stewardship committees or commissions are essential. This cannot be a singular endeavor! It takes many of us doing what we can to form people as disciples and stewards. 3. Develop a Vision and Strategy: This seems to me to be where we sometimes get stuck. We have the vision: everyone will grow as stewards. We sometimes fail, however, to develop strategies to bring the vision to life. 4. Communicate the Change Vision: Keep the message of stewardship alive! 5. Empower Broad-Based Action: Not only at one point in the year, but in people s lives. 6. Generate Short-Term Wins: This is one of the ways in which lay witnesses can be of tremendous help. The witness helps others to recognize that growing as a steward often happens slowly, but begins with a first step of trust in God. 7. Consolidate Gains and Produce More Change: This is a process that is never complete. We, and our communities, must continue to stretch and grow. 8. Anchor New Approaches in the Culture: We know we are making progress when people don t flinch at the word stewardship! This is the second in a series of stewardship reflections by Leisa Anslinger for parish stewardship leaders. Leisa is an author and co-founder of Catholic Strengths and Engagement Community (CSEC).

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