Section 6: Sustaining Stewardship. Section Contents:

Transcription

1 Sectin 6: Sustaining Stewardship Sectin Cntents: 1. Sustaining Stewardship Overview 4 Cmmittee Membership 4 Frmatin and Educatin 4 Evaluatin 6 2. Keeping It Ging! Repeating the Cmmitment Prcess 7 Changing It Up 8 Ging Deeper 9 Fcusing n Hspitality 10 Cntinuing Parish Frmatin and Educatin 10 Giving Thanks Lessns Learned (Tips and Tricks) Examples and Templates 13 Beginning in cnversin, change f mind and heart, this cmmitment is expressed nt in a single actin, nr even in a number f actins ver a perid f time, but in an entire way f life. ~Stewardship: A Disciple s Respnse, U.S. Bishps Pastral Letter n Stewardship

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3 Stewardship Radmap Educate/Frm n Parish Stewardship Leading t Cmmitment Sunday Develp Stewardship Cmmittee Assess Ministries & Create Future Visin Bishp s Message n CD Ministry Leader Retreat/ Frmatin Prayer Jurnal Cnduct Ministry Fair Cmmit Time, Talent & Treasure (& Fllw-Up) Mnths Prir Fur Weeks Leading t Cmmitment Sunday Mnths After Onging Thrughut the Year Sustain Hmilies Lay Witness Bulletin Inserts & Blurbs Intercessins Newsletter Psters Parish DVD Sustain Stewardship Educate/Frm Parish n Stewardship - Onging The Stewardship Manual prvides a radmap t implementing and sustaining a successful Stewardship prcess in parish. The radmap is divided int 6 sectins: 1. Develping a Stewardship Cmmittee 2. Assessing Ministries and Creating a Future Visi 3. Educating and Frming the Parish n Stewardship 4. Cnducting the Ministry Fair 5. Cmmitting Time, Talent, and Treasure 6. Sustaining Stewardship 7. The Manual cntains 4 additinal sectins cntaining materials fr: Discernment f Gifts 8. Children s Stewardship 9. A Steward s Prayer and Reflectin Jurnal Sunday Hmilies Frming Cmmunities in the Spirit f Stewardship Each sectin prvides an verview, suggested steps fr implementatin, lessns learned, tls, sample materials, and external resurces that can be used t initiate and sustain Stewardship in a parish. This sectin (highlighted in gray abve) addresses Sustaining Stewardship. 3

4 Sustaining Stewardship Overview Stewardship begins with great enthusiasm, new ideas and fresh energy! The challenge is t sustain the effrt and t cntinually breathe new life int the mmentum. It is tempting t skip a year r tw because sme f the tried and true steps may seem ld and repetitive. But in skipping steps parishes have lst the mmentum and parishiners fall back n their cmmitments f time, talent, and treasure. Belw are sme ideas that may help keep a Stewardship Cmmittee vibrant, inspired, healthy, and alive. Cmmittee Membership Rtate members and establish limited terms. This will bring in new peple with riginal ideas and new energy. As described in Develping a Stewardship Cmmittee, Sectin 1 f this manual, a three year term is recmmended. The riginal Stewardship Cmmittee shuld have staggered term dates. This will help maintain experience n the Cmmittee and make rm fr new members as they are discerned. (Fr a refresher n identifying, inviting and discerning members, see Examples and Templates in Sectin 1 f this manual.) Discern a new chairpersn fr the Cmmittee each year, with an ptin t stay ne additinal year. New leaders can explre new avenues, inspire new directins, and prvide a change f pace fr the Cmmittee. Review the segments f Develping a Stewardship Cmmittee, Sectin 1 f this manual fr a refresher n imprtant qualities and respnsibilities f members. Especially refer t Membership, page 7 and Identifying and Inviting Members, page 8. Frmatin and Educatin Cntinual frmatin and educatin are an imprtant part f faith life and critical fr Cmmittee members, all f whm have the respnsibility f prmting the spirituality f Stewardship in parish life. The Cmmittee Members face this Stewardship jurney as individuals and as part f a parish family. That the members f the Cmmittee and the Cmmittee as a whle remain encuraged and nurished is essential. Cntinual frmatin and educatin prvide ideas and supprt that can help the Cmmittee members stay engaged and invlved. Additinal educatin can prvide fresh incentives fr the Cmmittee Members and the Cmmittee itself s they can mdel Gd Stewardship and Discipleship within their parish. Listed belw are sme ways f cntinuing frmatin and educatin. 4

5 Spiritual frmatin centered n Stewardship must be evident at every Stewardship Cmmittee meeting. Once having read the USCCB pastral letter, Stewardship A Disciple s Respnse, cnsider sme f the ideas belw. Als, refer t the Available Resurces sectin f this manual fr additinal suggested materials. Stewardship in America: A Cuntercultural Way f Life, by Dan Cnway What D I Own And What Owns Me?, by Dan Cnway Excellent Cathlic Parishes, by Paul Wilkes Why Cathlics Dn t Give and What Can Be Dne Abut It?, by Charles Zech Best Practices in Parish Stewardship, by Charles Zech Fur Pillars f Stewardship, Dicese f Wichita web page: The pastr culd cnsider the same frmatin fr the Parish Pastral Cuncil and the Finance Cuncil. If these tw cnsultative bdies, alng with the Stewardship Cmmittee, receive the same frmatin simultaneusly, the parish will have a large number f leaders n the same spiritual page. The Internatinal Cathlic Stewardship Cuncil (ICSC) assists parishes that embrace Stewardship as a way f life. The ICSC knws that as parishes grw in Stewardship they will need a variety f materials, ideas, tls, and cntacts. As members, parishes can take advantage f material prvided fr use in parish newsletters, gain access t a variety f helpful Stewardship resurces, have access t Stewardship prfessinals thrughut the cuntry, attend an annual internatinal Stewardship Cnference, and benefit frm ther Stewardship educatinal pprtunities. T learn mre abut ICSC r t pursue membership g t: Cmmittee members shuld attend at least ne Stewardship wrkshp/ cnference each year. Nt nly will Cmmittee members benefit frm the educatin at the cnference, but they will als benefit frm netwrking with Stewardship representatives frm ther parishes. The Stewardship Cnnectin meetings crdinated by the Dicesan Stewardship Office prvide regular pprtunities fr parishes t netwrk and gain additinal Stewardship frmatin. Check the Stewardship web page, g t and clicking n the Stewardship link, fr date and lcatin infrmatin fr the next Stewardship Cnnectins meeting. Orient new members t the Cmmittee s they have an understanding f Stewardship as a way f life. Each new member shuld read the USCCB pastral letter Stewardship A Disciple s Respnse. Orientatin shuld als include a review f the Stewardship Cmmittee Overview n pages 4-7 in Sectin 1 f this manual. Each new member shuld be an active participant in ne f the key tasks as described n page 5, als in Sectin 1 f this manual. 5

6 Evaluatin In rder t facilitate the Christian vcatin f discipleship and t nurture Stewardship as a lifelng prcess: 1. Individuals shuld develp and exhibit certain characteristics depicting their lve and example f fllwing Christ. 2. Parishes shuld acknwledge Stewardship as the key t an alive, vibrant parish where dedicated and cmmitted parishiners, giving freely f their time, talent and treasure, withut expectatin f return, create a dynamic atmsphere that invites and encurages thers t becme invlved and sets a psitive example fr the entire parish cmmunity. Parishes shuld develp, fster, nurture and maintain a parish Stewardship prcess, exhibiting certain characteristics, prviding parishiners, yung and ld, the pprtunities t learn abut, experience and live ut Stewardship as a way f life, serving the parish cmmunity, the dicesan and universal church. 3. Parishiners shuld sense and feel that their parish is a place f prayer, educatin, hspitality and service, within which they experience the invitatin and pprtunity t serve and t be served. The fllwing frms have been designed t assist pastrs and parish leadership in reviewing and evaluating their parish Stewardship prcess whereby parishiners are drawn t and cnverted t that lifelng Stewardship jurney. (1) Parishiner Gratitude Survey Packet (Example 6.1, pages 14-16) (2) Parishiner Evaluatin f Stewardship Activity (Example 6.2, page 17-18) (3) Parish Stewardship Assessment Guide (Example 6.3, pages 19-24). (1) Used with permissin frm the Cathlic Dicese f Wichita (2) Used with permissin frm St. Hilary Parish, Fairlawn, OH (3) Used with permissin frm St. Hilary Parish, Fairlawn, OH 6

7 Keeping It Ging! Repeating the Cmmitment Prcess While there are varius details and extras that can be part f a Stewardship initiative, there are basic tasks r steps that cannt be verlked and need repeating each year. These are utlined belw: Step 1: Establish a timeline and begin by picking the Cmmitment Weekend date first, then wrk backwards and establish task cmpletin dates. Cnsider picking a date that suits the parish (perhaps a feast day) and the timing f the fllw up wrk (e.g. It may be preferred t nt be fllwing up with peple during the hlidays r in the summer.) A sample timeline template may be fund n page 3 f this sectin f the manual. The key tasks are utlined in detail n page 5 f Sectin 1 f this manual. Accrdingly, they will include: Leadership Retreat Material Design Mailings Lay Witnesses Leadership cmmunicatin and ministry catalgue update Ministry Fair (sme parishes hld these every few years rather than every year) After the Cmmitment Weekend, the fllwing steps apply: Step 2: Enter Cmmitment Card infrmatin int data base Step 3: Begin fllw up wrk and be sure that everyne has been cntacted and invited t participate in their ministries f chice! Step 4: Cmmitment Card Data Analysis is an imprtant step. Measuring the level f engagement amng a cmmunity f peple in their use f time, talent, and treasure in parish life prvides accuntability, and gives sme insight as t where mre pastral effrts are needed. Step 5: Cmmunicate the findings frm the analysis abve in Step 4 back t the parish cmmunity. This will help parishiners appreciate the increase in vibrancy in the parish. A parish newsletter wuld be an excellent tl t use fr this feedback. 7

8 Changing It Up Once a parish has fllwed the cmmitment prcess fr a year r tw, it will need t find new ways t accmplish the same tasks r present them with an innvative style. Changes that lead t the same gal but have an interesting twist can help breathe new life int the Stewardship prcess. The fllwing is a list suggesting different appraches t what culd becme rdinary tasks. Cntinue t brainstrm additinal new appraches fr the varius tasks. Ministry Fair changes hld the fair utdrs and prvide different fds, entertainment, etc. instead f a ne time fair, create ministry highlights used thrughut the year that are shared via a bulletin bard at a key spt in the parish, r have ministries take turns shw-casing themselves at key parish events Stewardship Mailings changes have a new theme each year such as the fllwing that is artistically presented in the ministry catalgue and mailings Cmmunin f self-giving lve Gratitude Cherish and nurture ur gifts Share ur gifts in justice Return ur gifts with increase t the Lrd Stewardship is a way f life The Pillars f Stewardship: hspitality, prayer, frmatin, service check ut ther dicesan Stewardship web sites fr new ideas n the lk f their materials recruit students in the parish wh are graphic arts and marketing majrs t create smething new fr the style f the Stewardship materials Lay Witness changes hld peridic testimnials thrughut the year vide tape 1 r 2 lay witnesses with music in the backgrund and shw at each Mass Cmmitment Weekend changes ask parishiners t prcess t the frnt f the church t ffer their cmmitment cards during Preparatin f the Gifts cnduct a blessing fr thse wh share their time, talent and treasure (Example 6.4, pages 25-26). 8

9 Ging Deeper Each Parish is unique. Each Parish will apprach Stewardship as a way f life in interesting, wnderful and new ways in additin t the basic steps f the cmmitment prcess. There are ways each parish can help parishiners realize Stewardship in their everyday lives and ways t add mre interesting activities within their parish. Listed belw are just sme f the ideas. Think creatively and cme up with many mre! Offer a small grup study n persnal finances, helping parishiners t reduce debt and build a supprt netwrk fr living Cathlic values. One pssible surce fr this is 7 Steps t Becming Financially Free by Phil Lenahan. Visit the Our Sunday Visitr web site fr mre infrmatin Many peple spend s much f their waking hurs in a wrk setting that it may be very helpful t parishiners t intrduce them t ways t live ut their faith in a wrk setting. Visit the Living Faith at Wrk web site fr mre infrmatin n this tpic Raise awareness f Gd s creatin and abut ur Stewardship f the earth that is the Lrd s and ur respnsibility t thse wh cme after. Suggest the reading and a bk discussin f Glbal Climate Change, published by USCCB Publishing (United States Cathlic Cnference f Bishps). Ask a speaker t cme wh can als speak n the subject! Deepen parishiners Stewardship f time by enriching their prayer life. Offer pprtunities t expand their prayer experiences by teaching additinal frms they may nt have had an pprtunity t learn, such as the Spiritual Exercises f St. Ignatius, r help them gain a deeper appreciatin f Eucharistic Adratin, Litany f the Hurs, etc. Prvide weekend retreat experiences fr parishiners which will als build n the value f Stewardship f time. Christ Renews His Parish is just ne f many retreat frmats that nt nly deepens ne s spirituality but als can be a starting pint fr further engaging parishiners int parish life. Offer tithing frm the parish t an rganizatin in need which parishiners have selected. By sending a percentage f the parish ffertry t a needy rganizatin, an example will be set fr parishiners t tithe their financial treasure. Be sure t cmmunicate t parishiners the amunt and place f dnatin each time the parish makes a cntributin. Establish the Kingdm Assignment in the parish which invlves parishiners in an incredible jurney f sharing gifts. St. Barnabas Parish in Nrthfield has had a remarkable experience with this apprach. G t t learn mre abut it. Recgnize acts f Stewardship dne utside the parish by parishiners. This will help parishiners realize that Stewardship is an entire way f life, nt just smething dne in the cnfines f the parish grunds. One way f prviding recgnitin is t ffer a blessing fr parishiners fr cmmunity service a week r tw after their cmmitment t parish service. See Example 6.5, pages fr a prcess and example f such an activity. (4) 9

10 Speak abut Stewardship in hmilies thrughut the year. When parishiners hear cncepts f Stewardship preached beynd Cmmitment Weekend and the weekends immediately preceding, they are reminded that this is a way f life they are called t year lng! Fr ideas n Stewardship hmilies, refer t the Hmily Helps in this manual (sectin 10), r Mre Than Silver r Gld Hmilies f a Stewardship Priest by Fr. Dan Mahan. (4) Used with permissin frm the Cathlic Dicese f Prtland, Maine Fcusing n Hspitality Hspitality is a pillar f Stewardship. Befre parishiners can becme engaged in a parish they must feel welcme! T that end there are a variety f steps a parish can take t welcme their parishiners: Cnsider the frmatin f a Welcming Cmmittee r the assignment f welcming tasks t peple in the parish. The Evangelizatin Office f the Dicese f Cleveland ffers a free manual n parish hspitality that prvides many gd ideas n ways t welcme parishiners. T receive a cpy f this manual, call the Evangelizatin Office at X2540. Give a Stewardship Prayer Jurnal t new parishiners and explain the biblical rting and spirituality f Stewardship as a way f life. (See Sectin 9 f this manual.) Review the ministry catalgue with new parishiners and encurage them t becme an active part f the parish. Welcme thse wh cmplete the RCIA prcess int the parish by inviting them t discern hw their gifts can be used at the parish. Assure them that they are needed t be active members! Cnduct a parish census thereby ensuring awareness f the parishiner base and familiarizatin with the needs/interests f the parishiners. The Dicesan Pastral Planning Office has materials ffering guidelines fr census taking. Cntinuing Parish Frmatin and Educatin Stewardship educatin shuld be a year lng prcess every year! It shuld extend well beynd the Cmmitment perid. Listed belw are ideas t help parishes cntinually build Stewardship int their effrts t instill Stewardship as a way f life: 10

11 Parish missins r retreats that emphasize Stewardship. Sme suggestins f speakers within the Dicese f Cleveland include: Fr. Wally Hyclak Fr. Nrm Duglas Fr. Tm Dragga Als, Fr. Dan Mahan a natinal speaker n Stewardship wh has visited the Dicese f Cleveland several times Cnduct parish listening sessins t assure active ministries are in line with parishiners needs/interests. This activity wuld be dne in cnjunctin with the Parish Pastral Cuncil. (The Dicesan Pastral Planning Office and Stewardship Office can assist with this activity.) Cnduct a frmal Gifts Assessment/Discernment fr parishiners. Many peple d nt knw what their gifts are and a sessin such as this can aid them in their discernment and encurage them t apply their gifts t parish ministries. See Sectin 7 f this manual fr specific ideas n cnducting Gifts Assessments. Crdinate the effrts f the Parish Schl f Religin and Day Schl in prviding Stewardship educatin t the children f the parish. See Sectin 8 f this manual fr specific ideas. Als, refer t the Internatinal Cathlic Stewardship Cuncil s Children Stewardship Manual fr additinal ideas. Hld a retreat fr parish leaders and spnsr ne r tw keynte speakers n Stewardship. Attend ne meeting f each f the varius parish ministries and give a presentatin n Stewardship. Cnsider creating a Crdinatr f Vlunteer Ministry Psitin. This persn, whether a paid staff psitin r a vlunteer, wuld be respnsible fr planning and rganizing vlunteer ministry activity in the parish and wuld cllabrate with parish leaders, staff and the Stewardship Cmmittee in ding s. See Example 6.6, pages fr a sample psitin descriptin. Giving Thanks We can never say thank yu enugh! Belw are just sme f the ways t shw gratitude fr all that peple d. A grateful heart is a basic attribute f a gd steward. Vlunteer recgnitin dinner Persnal (handwritten!) ntes f thanks Dinner/receptin fr parish leaders Dinner/receptin fr generus dnrs 11

12 Lessns Learned (Tips and Tricks) Lessns learned in sustaining Stewardship include: Maintain a spirit f prayer It is easy t turn activities int prgrams, but remember that Stewardship is a prcess, a way f life. T help develp Stewardship this way in the parish, keep prayer in the center f all Stewardship effrts, always asking fr Gd s grace and directin in living ut Stewardship as an expressin f discipleship. Dn t Stp! The biggest challenge is t remember t never stp repeating the cmmitment prcess. It may seem ld and bring t the leaders f the parish wh have experienced it year after year, but parishes wh have been wrking at Stewardship fr years admit that their biggest lessn learned is never t stp. Sticking t the basics such as lay witnessing, a pastr s invlvement, pledging year after year are crucial. Fr a reminder f the basic steps see page 7 f this sectin. Cntinually thank peple A basic cmpnent f being a hspitable parish is thanking peple fr everything they d. Handwritten ntes are amng the ldest yet mst favrite way f receiving thanks. Stay in the habit f saying thank yu! Frmatin is never finished Stewardship Cmmittees, parish leaders and all parishiners will all benefit frm recurrent frmatin. There are an endless number f bks, DVDs, and web sites that prvide inspiratinal and thughtprvking teaching. See pages fr just a sample f Stewardship resurces that may be used in prviding frmatin. Practice what yu preach Parishiners shuld cntinually be encuraged t live ut Stewardship by being f service t thse in need in the parish cmmunity and beynd. Parishiners shuld be guided t see their parish as a family and cme t see that they are called t minister t the needs f fellw parishiners as well as be recipients t the same service frm thers when needed. 12

13 Examples and Templates Included in this sectin are sample materials fr yur reference, adaptatin and use in develping a Stewardship Cmmittee in yur Parish. Included here are: 6.1. Parishiner Gratitude Survey Packet These can be used as bulletin inserts with the Gratitude, Fstering Our Cnnectin T Gd as side ne and the Gratitude Survey as side tw. Yur Gratitude Survey prvides the infrmatin fr parishiners t scre their gratitude surveys and can be distributed thrugh the bulletin the fllwing week. G t t find and publish cmparisns frm arund the cuntry Parishiner Evaluatin f Stewardship Activity Packet This evaluatin shuld be distributed after the fllw-up activity fr new ministry sign-ups resulting frm Cmmitment Sunday. The infrmatin btained shuld be used t help imprve the Stewardship activity in the fllwing year. The Survey Results culd be distributed t the parish as a bulletin insert with the cmment added that these results will help frmulate the fllwing year s Stewardship activity Parish Stewardship Assessment Guide After cmpletin f this frm the Stewardship Cmmittee will find clear directin as t areas f parish life which need develpment t encurage Stewardship as a way f life Order fr the Blessing f Thse Wh Share Their Time, Talent, and Treasure This blessing culd be used as a way t celebrate parishiners gifts f time, talent, and treasure during Mass Blessing f Cmmunity Service Prcess In shwing that Stewardship is a way f life, this blessing recgnizes all the gd wrk parishiners d utside their parishes Sample Jb Descriptin fr a Vlunteer Crdinatr Whether this psitin is staffed with a vlunteer r a paid member f the staff, this individual help prmtes the imprtance f parishiner engagement in the parish thrugh the use f their talent. 13

14 Bulletin Insert, side 1 Example 6.1 GRATITUDE, FOSTERING OUR CONNECTION TO GOD We have been given pssessin f an unshakable kingdm. Let us therefre be grateful and use ur gratitude t wrship Gd in the way that pleases him, in reverence and fear. (Hebrews 12:28) Gratitude unlcks the fullness f life. It turns what we have int enugh, and mre. It turns denial int acceptance, chas t rder, cnfusin t clarity. It can turn a meal int a feast, a huse int a hme, a stranger int a friend. Gratitude makes sense f ur past, brings peace fr tday, and creates a visin fr tmrrw. (Meldy Beattie) If the nly prayer yu ever say is thank yu, it will be enugh. (Meister Eckhardt) What is Gratitude? It is the fundatin f all ther virtues. It helps us fcus n thers rather than n urselves. It allws us t lk at what we have rather than n what we dn t have. It is transfrmatinal (helping us t mve twards new and higher ways f being and relating) rather than cnservatinal (encuraging us t hard what we have, bth spiritually and materially). But hw many f us truly practice it? Hw many f us, each day, give thanks t Gd fr ur unearned and undeserved gifts? Remember, f the ten cured lepers, nly ne returned t thank Jesus. And mst f ur prayers, inside r utside f church, are prayers f petitin - asking fr what we dn t have - rather than prayers f praise r thanksgiving fr what we d have. Fr centuries, religins have tried t increase peple s sense f gratitude as an imprtant path in spiritual develpment. Gratitude fsters ur cnnectin with Gd. Hwever, psychlgical research has nw shwn that peple wh shw such characteristics as gratitude, frgiveness, and ptimism are mre psychlgically healthy than thse wh dn t. It will help yu spiritually and psychlgically t make an effrt t fster a sense f gratitude in yur life. The psychlgist Rbert Emmns has suggested keeping gratitude jurnals n a daily basis. But if gratitude is s gd fr us, why dn t we d mre f it? One f the reasns may be the cnstant cultural messages that bmbard us ( Yu deserve the best, Have it yur way ). The sense f entitlement thus fstered ( I deserve it!) hampers expressins f gratitude. Als, peple may tend twards expressins f entitlement as a way f building self-esteem ( I gt what I have because I m s gd! ). There may even have been evlutinary prcesses that favred the survival f thse wh were pessimistic and guarded - they were mre likely t survive lng enugh t cntribute t the human gene pl. Gratitude is a chice! On the back f this sheet is a shrt Gratitude Survey that gives yu an idea f hw grateful yu are. Fr scring and cmparisns with ther grups f peple, g t where yu will find this and similar instruments. There will als be a scring key and cmparisns printed in next week s bulletin. And, practice the fllwing exercise: Each day, write dwn 3-5 specific things (unearned gifts) that have happened fr which yu feel grateful. Or, fr smething really difficult, spend ten minutes wishing fr gd things t happen t the persn yu dislike mst! Gratitude can transfrm yur life if yu train yur gratitude muscles as yu wuld train yur bdy. Try it, it will help yu! 14

15 Bulletin Insert, side 2 Example 6.1 (cnt d) GRATITUDE SURVEY Belw is a shrt Gratitude Survey that will give yu an idea f hw grateful yu are. Fr scring and cmparisns with ther grups f peple, g t where yu will find this and similar instruments. Or, use the scring key and cmparisns which will be printed in next week s parish bulletin. DIRECTIONS: Please rate each f these items accrding t the fllwing scale: 1 = Strngly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Slightly disagree, 4 = Neutral, 5 = Slightly agree, 6 = Agree, 7 = Strngly agree 1. I have s much in life t be thankful fr. 2. If I had t list everything I felt grateful fr, it wuld be a very lng list. 3. I am grateful t a wide variety f peple. 4. When I lk at the wrld, I dn t see much t be grateful fr. 5. As I get lder I find myself mre able t appreciate the peple, events, and situatins that have been part f my life histry. 6. Lng perids f time can g by befre I feel grateful fr smething r t smene. 15

16 Bulletin Insert Example 6.1 (cnt d) YOUR GRATITUDE SURVEY Last weekend, in the parish bulletin was a shrt Gratitude Survey t give yu an idea as t hw grateful yu are. If yu did nt receive the Gratitude Survey, please cntact the parish ffice t btain a cpy. Hw d yu scre yur Gratitude Survey? 1. Add up yur scres fr the psitive questins: items 1, 2, 3, and Reverse yur scres fr the negative questins: items 4 and 6 (fr example, if yu scred 7, give yurself 1; if yu scred 6, give yurself 2). 3. Add the reversed scres fr items 4 and 6 t the ttal frm Step 1. This is yur ttal Gratitude Scre. It shuld be between 6 and 42. What des yur scre mean? In terms f gratitude, if yu scred 35 r belw, yu are in the bttm ne-furth f peple wh have taken this survey. If yu scred 38 r belw, yu are in the bttm ne-half f peple wh have taken this survey. If yu scred between 39 and 41, yu are in the tp ne-furth and if yu scred 42, yu are in the tp neeighth. Wmen tend t scre slightly higher than men and lder peple tend t scre higher than yunger peple. If yu dn t like yur scre, what can yu d abut it? If yur scre is lwer than yu thught r than yu wuld like, dn t accept a permanent state f ingratitude! Practice exercising yur gratitude muscles. Here s hw: 1. At the end f each day, spend a few minutes writing dwn 3 t 5 things that happened that day fr which yu feel grateful r thankful. These shuld be events which yu did nt earn. 2. At the end f each day, think f 2 r 3 peple wh have mre difficulties in life than yu d. Spend sme time feeling grateful fr what yu have. 3. Think f all the things yu have received frm yur invlvement with ur Parish. Spend sme time feeling grateful fr this. 4. Select ne imprtant persn frm yur past wh has made a majr psitive difference in yur life and t whm yu have never fully expressed yur thanks. Write a ne-page testimnial t this persn thanking him/her fr this gift. 5. Invite this persn t yur hme r g t this persn s hme. Bring the testimnial with yu and read it t the ther persn slwly and with eye cntact. Let the ther persn react. Discuss the event and why the persn is imprtant t yu. 6. Shw yur gratitude t Gd and t yur neighbrs by becming mre invlved in serving thers. Fr it is in giving that we receive (St. Francis f Assisi). 16

17 Example 6.2 Parishiner Evaluatin f Stewardship Activity Our parish has just cncluded a year-lng prcess f Stewardship activity. Please help us t help yu better by answering the fllwing questins abut ur wrk. Use the answer key prvided by marking a number fr each questin. Yu may drp the cmpleted survey in a cllectin basket r mail it t the parish ffice. Strngly agree = 7, Agree = 6, Slightly agree = 5, Uncertain = 4, Slightly disagree = 3, Disagree = 2, Strngly disagree = 1 1. The Stewardship activity gave me a better understanding f the meaning f Stewardship. 2. The Stewardship activity caused me t think mre deeply abut my wn invlvement in the life f ur parish. 3. The Stewardship activity caused me t cmmit mre f my time and talent t ur parish. 4. The Stewardship activity caused me t think mre deeply abut my relatinship t Gd. 5. The Stewardship activity fstered my spiritual develpment. 6. I increased my practice f being grateful fr Gd s Gifts since the prcess f Stewardship began. I have the fllwing suggestins fr future Stewardship Activity: I wuld be interested in helping n the Stewardship Cmmittee Name Phne Thank yu fr cmpleting this survey. 17

18 Example 6.2 (cnt d) STEWARDSHIP SURVEY RESULTS insert MONTH/YEAR The Stewardship activity gave me a better understanding f the meaning f Stewardship The Stewardship activity caused me t think mre deeply abut my wn invlvement in the life f ur parish. The Stewardship activity caused me t cmmit mre f my time and talent t ur parish. The Stewardship activity caused me t think mre deeply abut my relatinship t Gd. The Stewardship activity fstered my spiritual develpment. # % agreed # % agreed # % agreed # % agreed # % agreed I increased my practice f being grateful fr Gd s Gifts since the prcess f Stewardship began. # % agreed insert # Survey's Cmpleted 18

19 Example 6.3 PARISH STEWARDSHIP ASSESSMENT GUIDE Circle the number that best fits the reality f yur parish. Scale: U Nt at all Very much Unknwn Ntes: 1. This frm is intended t be cmpleted by a parish wh is interested in a serius assessment f their wrk in Stewardship. It will serve as a barmeter as t hw the parish is perfrming in their Stewardship way f life and will prvide directin as t which areas f parish life need develpment. 2. This frm may be cmpleted by a Stewardship Cmmittee, Parish Staff, Parish Pastral Cuncil, and/r Finance Cuncil. An * is placed next t thse items that are cnsidered t be highly critical in living a Stewardship way f life at a parish. 1. Our parish missin statement is can be easily understd U by the average parishiner and is readily accessible. (e.g. published n the frnt f the bulletin) 2. Our parish has an effective way f listening t the cncerns f the U peple. (e.g. surveys, twn hall meetings, appreciative interviews, etc.) List yur parish s listening technique(s): 3. We establish gals and pastral planning based n the U interests/needs f ur parishiners. 19

20 *4. Hmilies are regularly given (at least mnthly) as t the U baptismal call f sharing gifts f time, talent, and treasure. The message regarding sharing f treasure is given at least quarterly. Yes N 5. Lay Witness talks are given t help teach Stewardship U as a way f life. *6. We prvide a variety f ministries and activities that U respnd t peples needs and cncerns. *7. We annually ask adults t renew their cmmitment f U time and talent in parish service. 8. We annually ask yuth t renew their cmmitment f U time and talent in parish service. 9. The cmmitment f prayer in varius frms is a key cmpnent U n the cmmitment frm fr peple t check ff as a way f giving their time. 10. We knw wh and hw many peple are invlved in the U ministries f the parish # invlved 2007 # invlved 2006 # invlved 2005 # invlved 20

21 If we d nt have this infrmatin available nw, we have the means (methds) and will begin cllecting this data nw. Yes N 11. A bklet f parish grups/ministries is prvided fr U parishiners which clearly states the descriptin f the ministries and the cmmitment needed t participate. 12. A ministry fair is held annually t prmte participatin in U parish ministries *13. Appreciatin is shwn fr peples cntributins f time, U talent, and treasure. (e.g. appreciatin dinners, persnal thank yu ntes, etc.) 14. We have accurate parish census data and a gd methd U fr recrd keeping. *15. We interview all newcmers int the parish t hear their U histries and t help them discern where they can fit int parish activities # newly registered parishiners invlved 2007 # newly registered parishiners invlved 2006 # newly registered parishiners invlved 2005 # newly registered parishiners invlved If we d nt have this infrmatin available nw, we have the means (methds) and will begin cllecting this data nw. Yes N 21

22 16. We ask lay leaders t take nly ne majr rle in the parish U 17. We have ne persn r grup t versee/crdinate the U ministries f the parish. 18. Training and learning pprtunities are ffered t vlunteers U 19. The parish is nt verly dependent n extrardinary fundraisers U such as bing and tickets t supprt its rdinary budget. *20. Parish leaders speak abut and emphasize Stewardship and U financial giving. 21. Ministry leaders speak abut and emphasize Stewardship and U financial giving. 22. An annual retreat r renewal is held fr parish leaders t U celebrate the gifts Gd has given the parish and t gain frmatin in their spiritual lives. *23. Parishiners are given a clear accunt at least yearly f hw U parish mney is spent. 22

23 24. The parish keeps up payments n its debts, if there are any U 25. Parish facilities are apprpriately maintained and adequate U fr the needs f the parish. *26. Parishiners are encuraged t plan their financial U cntributins each year (e.g., pledge/cmmitment cards) # pledge cards returned 2007 # pledge cards returned 2006 # pledge cards returned 2005 # pledge cards returned If we d nt have this infrmatin available nw, we have the means (methds) and will begin cllecting this data nw. Yes N 27. The parish regularly shares a prtin f its incme with the pr U *Parishiners are infrmed regularly as t where the mney is dnated. Yes N 28. The resurces f the parish are sufficient t accmplish its missin U and the gals and bjectives flwing frm that missin. 29. We knw what the average ffertry has been U 2008 average ffertry per envelpe 2007 average ffertry per envelpe 2006 average ffertry per envelpe 2005 average ffertry per envelpe If we d nt have this infrmatin available nw, we have the means (methds) and will begin cllecting this data nw. Yes N 23

24 30. Members f the Finance Cuncil are persns with interest and U experience in budgeting, facilities management, and fundraising and develpment effrts. *31. Members f the Parish Pastral Cuncil and Finance Cuncil U are cnsulted in areas f majr pastral cncerns and regarding parish financial expenditures, respectively. Actin r steps needed t imprve ur effrts f teaching basic principles f Cathlic Stewardship? Fllw Up Wrk t Assessment Pririty # Date t Begin Persn Respnsible Name Date Cmpleted 24

25 Example 6.4 Order fr the Blessing f Thse Wh Share Their Time, Talent and Treasure After the gspel reading, the celebrant in the hmily, based n the sacred text and pertinent t the particular place and the peple invlved, explains the meaning f Stewardship. The celebrant then says: Priest: Reader: Assistant: Tday, we celebrate with jyful hearts the gifts that Gd has bestwed upn all f us here at, made manifest in thse wh share their time, talent, and treasure in the service t Gd and neighbr. As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shk, and they were filled with the Hly Spirit and cntinued t speak the wrd f Gd with bldness (Acts 4:31). We call upn ur priests, deacns, lectrs, catechists, religius educatrs, thse invlved in evangelizatin, t stand please. Reader: T whmever I send yu, yu shall g (cf. Jeremiah 1: 4-9). Assistant: Reader: Assistant: Reader: Assistant: Reader: We call upn ur extrardinary ministers f Hly Cmmunin, thse invlved in RCIA frmatin, baptismal and marriage preparatin, t stand please. Amen, I say t yu, whatever yu did fr ne f these least f mine, yu did fr me (Matthew 25:40) We call upn ur parish utreach members, the St. Vincent de Paul Sciety, the sup kitchen staff; thse invlved with cnslatin and bereavement; thse wh are invlved with service t the divrced and separated; thse cncerned with respecting life, fd and nutritin netwrks, and public plicy and scial justice educatin. Train yurself fr devtin. Fr while physical training is f limited value, devtin is valuable in every respect, since it hlds a prmise f life bth fr the present and the future. (1 Timthy 4:7-8) We call upn ur Hly Name Sciety, the Legin f Mary, ur Cathlic Daughters and thse members f ur Adratin Sciety, t stand please. S nw cnsider what he has dne fr yu, and praise him with full vice.(tbit 13:6) Assistant: We call upn ur liturgy Cmmittee and musicians, thse invlved with hspitality and greeting, ur altar servers, and all thse wh serve the liturgy in any ther capacity, t stand please. 25

26 Reader: Assistant: Reader: Assistant: That yu shuld put away the ld self and yur frmer way f life... and be renewed in the spirit f yur minds, and put n the new self, created in Gd s way in righteusness and hliness f truth. (Ephesians 4:22) We call upn thse invlved in faith frmatin, faith sharing, members f ur yung adult and yuth ministries, ur schl teachers and staff, ur Small Christian Cmmunities, and ur Stewardship Cmmittee, t stand please. As each ne has received a gift, use it t serve ne anther as gd stewards f Gd s varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10) We call upn thse invlved with ur Pastral Cuncil, ur Finance Cuncil and thse wh crdinate fund raising, t stand please. Reader: Be sincere in yur lve fr thers. (Rmans 11:9) Assistant: Reader: Assistant: Priest: We call upn caring parents, lyal friends, ethical wrkers and lving children, t stand please. Jesus spke t them again, saying, I am the light f the wrld. Whever fllws me will nt walk in darkness, but will have the light f life. (Jhn 8:12) We call upn all faithful members f ur parish cmmunity t stand please. Let us pray. (Pause) By yur will, O Gd, we g ut int the wrld. With gd news f yur undying lve, we minister in the midst f human need t shw the wnders f yur grace. We pray fr these wmen and men wh minister fr yu using their time, their talent, and their treasure. Bless them. May they be strengthened by ur cncern and supprted by yur gifts. D nt let them be discuraged, but make them brave and glad and hpeful in yur wrd. We ask this thrugh Christ ur Lrd. Amen. The Creed fllws The General Intercessins fllw and shuld include ne n Stewardship. 26

27 Materials Needed Example 6.5 Blessing f Cmmunity Service Prcess Cmmunity Service Dedicatin Cards enugh fr everyne in the parish. (See page 30.) Pencils r pens Recmmended Prcess Annunce a week ahead a Blessing f Cmmunity Service will take place. Sample Annuncement: Next week at all Masses, we will all have the pprtunity t ffer t the Lrd ur vlunteer services in ur neighbrhds and cmmunities. This dedicatin is anther way fr the peple f this parish t becme stewards f their time, talent, and treasure, serving the Lrd by serving ur neighbrs. On the appinted weekend, distribute Cmmunity Service Dedicatin Cards in the pews befre Mass, alng with pencils r pens. The cards may als be distributed as peple cme in t the church. Devte a part f the hmily t cmmunity service as a frm f Stewardship. Include key pints: - Peple helping peple is a lng and great traditin in ur natin. - Cmmunities are better places t live because f the many vlunteers wh supprt and serve in a variety f rganizatins charities, schls, envirnmental rganizatins, artistic grups, service clubs, and s many mre. (If any are hused in the parish, mentin them specifically.) - Frmal rganizatins are nt the nly places peple serve the cmmunity. Neighbrs bringing fd t the bereaved, mthers watching each ther s children, teens tutring yunger children in schl these are als cmmunity service. Nr is it just adults wh serve: teens and children als help thers in many ways. - Peple vlunteer fr many reasns: t supprt a gd cause, t wrk with peple they like, t learn new skills, t make cnnectins that will advance their careers. These are all gd reasns. But they are nt the best reasn. - When we serve thers, we are imitating Jesus. We advance frm vlunteer t steward when we cnsciusly chse t dedicate a prtin f ur time, talent, and treasure t the Lrd, as a tken f ur gratitude fr all He has given t us. In the days ahead, as yu begin each vlunteer activity, say a small prayer ffering yur time and talent t Gd, asking that yu may d His wrk. - Later in the Mass, we will bless yur service and prvide an pprtunity fr yu t cmmit yur service t the Lrd. As a tken f that cmmitment, yu 27

28 may cmplete a Cmmunity Service Dedicatin Card and place it in the secnd cllectin. This is all annymus and vluntary. - Optinal: The parish will cmpile a list f all the services in which peple are serving the Lrd by serving their neighbr. We will display the list s that all f us can cme t appreciate hw much the peple f ur parish d fr ur neighbrs, ur cmmunity, ur natin, ur wrld. - Optinal: When yu jin a vlunteer rganizatin, r when yu are helping t rient new members, r when yu give a gift, yu may be asked why yu supprt that rganizatin. In additin t the reasns specific t the rganizatins, yu might say Helping thers in the cmmunity is ne way we live as stewards at ( ) Parish. This is a frm f evangelizatin by example f hw Cathlic Christians live their faith. After the Creed, say the prayers n the fllwing page. Cllect cards in a separate cllectin and bring them t the altar befre the ffering f the gifts. Leave the basket at the altar during Mass. Optinal: Frm the cards, make a list f all the cmmunity services in which peple are engaged. Put them n a pster r banner; munt in the narthex, parish hall, r ther visible place. Other ptins include publishing the list as an insert in the bulletin and/r in the parish newsletter. Optinal: Ask the Stewardship Cmmittee t write t each rganizatin n the list, telling them that member(s) f the parish have dedicated t the Lrd their supprt and/r service t that rganizatin. 28

29 Priest: Priest: Deacn/Reader: Peple: Deacn/Reader: Peple: Deacn/Reader: Peple: After the cllectin f the Cmmunity Service Dedicatin Cards, Mass cntinues in the usual way with the preparatin f the gifts and the altar. 29 Example 6.5 (cnt d) Blessing f Cmmunity Service (Adapted frm the Bk f Blessings, Part 1, Chapter 7) We nw invite all thse wh engage in service t their neighbrs and t the cmmunity t bw their heads. Christ the Lrd tld us He came t serve. He went abut ding gd, leaving us an example t fllw. He washed the feet f His disciples, as a symbl f the imprtance f serving thers. Having Christ s service as the fundatin f all we d, let us pray t Him, saying, Lrd, hear ur prayer. Jesus was made pr fr ur sake. He came nt t be served but t serve. May He grant that we, t, lve ur brthers and sisters and help them in their need. We pray t the Lrd. Lrd, hear ur prayer. By Christ s redeeming wrk, He made a new wrld where we have becme neighbrs t each ther and are enabled t lve ne anther. May Christ grant that we, t, strive tward a way f life in keeping with the Gspel. We pray t the Lrd. Lrd, hear ur prayer. Our Lrd Jesus wants all peple t share in the blessings He has brught. He stirs the hearts f many amng us t use their time, talent and treasure in service t their neighbrs, their cmmunity, and the wrld beynd. Tday may all wh serve in any capacity dedicate their service t the Lrd, thereby making that service hly and pleasing in His sight as they becme ever better stewards f the gifts Gd has given them. We pray t the Lrd. Lrd, hear ur prayer. Priest (with hands stretched ut ver the peple): Peple: Blessed are yu, Lrd, Gd f mercy, Thrugh yur Sn Yu gave us a marvelus example f service and the great cmmandment t lve ne anther. As they make ur cmmunities better places t live, these stewards by example help make Yur presence knwn in the wrld. Send dwn yur blessing n these yur servants, wh see Yur Sn in the face f their neighbr, and wh by serving their neighbr advance the cming f Yur Kingdm. We ask this thrugh Christ ur Lrd. Amen.

30 Example 6.5 (cnt d) Cmmunity Service Dedicatin Card This card shuld be printed back t back n card stck (heavy enugh t make writing n it easy.) Lg Lg COMMUNITY SERVICE DEDICATION Time and Talent Stewardship is a way f life. Stewardship f time and talent has a place in ur neighbrhds and cmmunities. This card is an pprtunity t ffer and dedicate yur cmmunity service t the Lrd. When yu ffer it t the Lrd, cmmunity service is made hly and pleasing t Gd. Yu are making yur cmmunity better than when yu fund it; yu are making it mre like the Kingdm f Gd. Please list belw the rganizatins and service activities, frmal and infrmal (nt including thse directly cnnected with the Church), in which yu are engaged with yur time and talent. There is n need t identify yurself. Place this card in the basket, s that it may be blessed as a gift we ffer t Gd in this Mass. COMMUNITY SERVICE DEDICATION Time and Talent Stewardship is a way f life. Stewardship f time and talent has a place in ur neighbrhds and cmmunities. This card is an pprtunity t ffer and dedicate yur cmmunity service t the Lrd. When yu ffer it t the Lrd, cmmunity service is made hly and pleasing t Gd. Yu are making yur cmmunity better than when yu fund it; yu are making it mre like the Kingdm f Gd. Please list belw the rganizatins and service activities, frmal and infrmal (nt including thse directly cnnected with the Church), in which yu are engaged with yur time and talent. There is n need t identify yurself. Place this card in the basket, s that it may be blessed as a gift we ffer t Gd in this Mass. (Please see ther side) (Please see ther side) 30

31 Example 6.6 Sample Jb Descriptin fr a Vlunteer Crdinatr Purpse: T prvide directin and rganizatin fr vlunteer prjects and services within the parish. Reprts t: Pastr r Parish Administratr Duties: 1. Plan and rganize ministry fr vlunteers in cllabratin with parish leaders, staff and Stewardship Cmmittee 2. Wrk with Stewardship Cmmittee and parish staff t direct and crdinate annual Stewardship renewal r gifts discvery prcess 3. After the Stewardship cmmitment frm and/r the gifts inventry are cmpleted, tabulate and prvide parish staff and ministry grups with infrmatin pertinent t their ministry area. Fllw up as needed t ensure that all parishiners wh have vlunteered are cntacted and placed in an apprpriate psitin 4. Find ways f encuraging thse wh are nt yet active in the parish thrugh shrtterm jbs r ne-time vlunteer pprtunities 5. Prmte an understanding f and cmmitment t lay ministry wherever it ccurs: hme, wrkplace, parish, family and civic rganizatins 6. Assist in writing descriptins f existing vlunteer pprtunities and prducing a ministry guide fr print r web site use 7. Assist with recruitment, interviewing, placing, training and evaluating f vlunteers, including any necessary backgrund checks fr wrk with yuth 8. Interface with database manager r be able t functin in this capacity in rder that staff and ministry leaders have apprpriate access t lists, labels and reprts cncerning vlunteers in their ministry areas 9. Ensure that vlunteer effrts are apprpriately recgnized and rewarded thrugh thank yu letters, infrmatin in bulletin and/r web site, r ministry recgnitin dinner 10. Keep current in the fields f lay ministry and vlunteer management 11. Act as liaisn t the civic vlunteer cmmunity 31

32 12. Assist in identifying and matching peple s gifts, skills and interests t the tasks that need t be accmplished thrugh gifts discvery wrkshps r inventries and persnal interviews Qualificatins: - Cllege degree r equivalent experience - Cmmitment t the missin f the church - Ability t wrk within parish structures and plicies - Knwledge f vlunteer management - Organizatin and cmmunicatin skills - Ability t empwer and mtivate thers - Experience as a vlunteer - Experience with wrking with database systems - Perseverance, dedicatin, and a sense f humr 32

33 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND WEB SITES ON STEWARDSHIP =255 Link t the Stewardship Office. OR g t and click n the Stewardship Office link. Link t the Internatinal Cathlic Stewardship Cuncil. Link t a Cathlic free clip art web site. Link t Dicese f Metuchen --resurces fr weekly scripture selectins based n Stewardship themes. Link t Dicese f Rckville Stewardship page, with many free dwnladable resurces. Link fr a variety f resurces n Stewardship and ther tpics frm the US Bishps Cnference. Link t the Archdicese f St. Luis, and in particular, their bulletin inserts regarding weekly Stewardship themes. Link t the Dicese f Wichita Stewardship page with free dwnladable resurces. Link t learning mre abut this incredible jurney f parishiners sharing gifts. St. Barnabas Parish in Nrthfield has had a remarkable experience with this apprach. Link t a Cathlic perspective and suggestins fr fstering faith at wrk. Useful Web sites fr persnal prayer/study: 33