St. Patrick Cathlic Cmmunity Frmatin f Christian Stewards Christian Disciples In Missin A Parish Stewardship Cuncil Handbk June, 2015
Table f Cntents PREFACE... 3 INTRODUCTION... 4 CHARACTERISTICS OF STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL MEMBERS... 9 STRUCTURE... 13 FORMATION & EDUCATION... 15 BEST PRACTICES... 16 THEOLOGY OF STEWARDSHIP... 29 2
The Frmatin f Christian Stewards Christian Disciples in Missin PREFACE T many, the term stewardship is misunderstd. All t ften, due t the manner and cntext in which we use and cmmunicate the term stewardship, there has resulted a fear and negative cnntatin as t what it implies. The frequent use f the term utside f and absent its fundamental and fundatinal understanding f and cnnectin t the Christian call t discipleship tends t suggest and frm, in the minds f many, that it is simply a prcess t enhance develpment and/r fundraising effrts. The U. S. Bishps pastral letter, Stewardship A Disciple s Respnse, first published in 1992, states, Stewardship is an expressin f discipleship, with the pwer t change hw we understand and live ut ur lives. Gd stewards live with jy and gratitude fr the blessings they have received including thse that have multiplied thrugh diligence and hard wrk. Indeed, gd stewards live in cmmunin with Christ and thrugh Christ and the Spirit strive t return all gifts t the Father with an increase. Under the directin f the pastr, it is the rle f a stewardship cuncil t witness, invite, encurage and prvide the pprtunity and facilitate the spiritual and practical Frmatin f Christian Stewards within ur cmmunity. In rder t effectively fulfill the rle and duties entailed in serving as a stewardship cuncil, thse selected t serve must, as a pre-requisite, be frmed in the spirituality f stewardship, witnessing t such in their wn Christian way f life and be actively invlved in the prcess f frming Christian stewards within ur cmmunity. This dcument seeks t prvide the necessary frmatin, best practices and resurces t assist ur stewardship cuncil in ur nging rle f frming Christian stewards. 3
INTRODUCTION The selectin and frmatin f members, alng with the active and nging utilizatin f a parish stewardship cuncil under the supprt, versight and directin f the pastr, is the single mst imprtant element in ensuring the nging, life-lng educatin, frmatin, cnversin and facilitatin f stewardship as a way f life within the lives f individual parishiners and the parish as a whle. Praying, Serving and Giving at St. Patrick. The active and nging utilizatin f a parish stewardship cuncil shuld, in accrdance with the unique missin and demgraphic characteristics f the parish, be structured and facilitated within the parish t recgnize and emphasize that stewardship is a spiritual way-f-life respnse and cnversin jurney, and nt a prcess t raise funds. This respnse and cnversin jurney calls each f us t gratefully recgnize, receive, unfld and share ur individual Gd-given varied grace and giftedness in lve f and service t Gd and neighbr. The brad scpe f respnsibilities, including that f educatin, frmatin, and facilitatin f the stewardship way-f-life cnversin jurney within the ttal parish cmmunity, suggests use f the term cuncil rather than cmmittee. The brad duties and respnsibilities f the parish stewardship cuncil shuld be viewed as being cmparative in scpe t that f the Parish Pastral Cuncil. The scpe f the Parish Stewardship Cuncil shuld nt be viewed as just anther parish cmmittee with a narrw purpse unrelated t the brad and verall visin and missin f the parish. This imprtant cuncil shuld be fcused upn assuring and prviding the apprpriate sense f hspitality, prayer, frmatin and service while at the same time develping and maintaining brad unity within the parish cmmunity. Thse serving n the stewardship cuncil shuld, in the curse f nging intentinal stewardship spirituality frmatin, experience and practice, seek t recgnize, understand and accept the fllwing basic principles and ideals f stewardship. The Call T Discipleship In Baptism, the Sacrament f faith, and as strengthened by the pwer f the Hly Spirit in the Sacrament f Cnfirmatin, all Christians are called t be disciples f Jesus Christ. Wh Is A Christian Disciple? One wh respnds t Christ s call, fllws Jesus, and shapes his r her life in imitatin f Christ s. (Stewardship: A Disciples Respnse pg. 9) 4
Once ne chses t becme a disciple f Jesus Christ, stewardship is nt an ptin. (Stewardship: A Disciples Respnse pg. 9) Wh Is A Christian Steward? One wh receives Gd s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a respnsible and accuntable manner, shares them in justice and lve with thers, and returns them with increase t the Lrd. (Stewardship: A Disciples Respnse pg. 9) As each ne has received a gift, use it t serve ne anther as gd stewards f Gd s varied grace. (1 Pt 4:10) Having gifts that differ accrding t the grace given t us, let us use them: if prphecy, in prprtin t ur faith; if service, in ur serving; he wh teaches, in his teaching; he wh exhrts, in his exhrtatin; he wh cntributes, in liberality; he wh gives aid, with zeal; he wh des acts f mercy, with cheerfulness. (Catechism f the Cathlic Church #2004) What Is Stewardship? Stewardship is the grateful respnse f a Christian disciple wh recgnizes and receives Gd s gifts and shares these gifts in lve f Gd and neighbr. (Cathlic Dicese f Wichita) Gd is lve, and he wh abides in lve abides in Gd, and Gd abides in him: (1 Jn 4:16). These wrds frm the First Letter f Jhn express with remarkable clarity the heart f the Christian faith; the Christian image f Gd and the resulting image f mankind and its destiny. In the same verse, Saint Jhn als ffers a summary f the Christian life: We have cme t knw and t believe in the lve Gd has fr us. (Gd is Lve [Deus Caritas Est] Encyclical Letter Benedict XVI, pg 1) Since Gd has first lved us (cf. 1 Jn 4:10), lve is nw n lnger a mere cmmand; it is the respnse t the gift f lve with which Gd draws near t us. (Gd is Lve [Deus Caritas Est] Encyclical Letter Benedict XVI, pg 2) Jesus makes charity the new cmmandment. By lving his wn t the end, he makes manifest the Father s lve which he receives. By lving ne anther, the disciples imitate the lve f Jesus which they themselves receive. Whence Jesus says: As the Father has lved me, s have I lved yu; abide in my lve. And again: This is my cmmandment, that yu lve ne anther as I have lved yu. (Catechism f the Cathlic Church #2004) Gd is Lve and lve is His first gift, cntaining all thers. Gd s lve has been pured int ur hearts thrugh the Hly Spirit wh has been given t us. (Catechism f the Cathlic Church #733) (1 Jn 4:8, 16) (Rm 5:5) Within this first gift f Lve, we are all given the gift f Life. Within this gift we are called t be Disciples f Christ. As disciples we are all called t actin whereby: 5
Stewardship, (discipleship in actin) is the grateful respnse f a Christian disciple wh recgnizes and receives Gd s gifts and shares these gifts in lve f Gd and neighbr. (Definitin f Stewardship - Cathlic Dicese f Wichita) See illustratin f definitin belw: GOD IS LOVE The lng-term success and results f facilitating the stewardship way f life cncept, the frmatin f grateful hearts within the parish, depends primarily, if nt ttally, upn fur imprtant factrs. 1. The understanding, supprt, witness, articulatin f and cnversin t Christian stewardship by the pastr, cupled with: 2. The frmatin f an active, spiritually-cmmitted and visin-driven stewardship cuncil. Apprpriately empwered, this cuncil seeks t bring the message and cncept f Christian stewardship t life within the lives f parishiners and the brad parish cmmunity, encmpassing all parish ministries, rganizatins and activities. With the leadership f the pastr and his utilizatin f an active stewardship cuncil, the parish: 3. Seeks, with the Eucharist as the fcal pint, t becme the teacher f stewardship whereby the language, understanding and practice f stewardship is wven int the very fabric f the parish and the faith f its parishiners. 6
4. Cultivates that fertile sil within which the seeds f stewardship can be planted, tilled and harvested thus prviding the invitatin, encuragement, and pprtunity fr all t respnd t their Baptismal call t discipleship. This assures their parish is viewed by all as a place f hspitality, prayer, frmatin and service. Cinciding with the imprtant rle f the pastr and that f the stewardship cuncil, there must be an understanding, appreciatin and recgnitin f the fllwing: Wh Is A Parishiner? Chsing t be a disciple f Jesus Christ, a parishiner registers and participates regularly and actively in the liturgical and scial life f the parish cmmunity. The parishiner, as a steward, cmmits t share his/her gifts f time, talent and treasure, which are expressins f the very gift f self. Imitating Christ, wh gave His life in lve, the steward shares his/her life with ther parishiners in service t the parish, thereby encuraging ne anther in this pilgrim jurney t a life f hliness, recgnizing that Stewardship is the grateful respnse f a Christian disciple wh recgnizes and receives Gd s gifts and shares these gifts in lve f Gd and neighbr. What Is A Stewardship Parish? A stewardship parish, within the unique demgraphics f each, seeks thrugh regular participatin in the celebratin f the Eucharist, t spiritually frm the lives f its parishiners. Parishiners, in turn, are invited, encuraged, sent frward and given the pprtunity t becme actively engaged and invlved. This invitatin, pprtunity and invlvement then tends t facilitate a real life experience and sense f hspitality, prayer, frmatin and service within the parish cmmunity while recgnizing that Stewardship is the grateful respnse f a Christian disciple wh recgnizes and receives Gd s gifts and shares these gifts in lve f Gd and neighbr. United Cathlic Stewardship - example In the fall f 1985 the Dicese f Wichita implemented a dicesan-wide, spiritually based, stewardship way f life prcess titled, United Cathlic Stewardship. United in ur Cathlic faith, frmed and respnding as Christian disciples with grateful and generus hearts, individuals and families, yung and ld, within each parish were invited and encuraged t recgnize, receive, share and return their Gd-given grace and giftedness in lve f Gd and neighbr. It was t be the desired gal within each parish t instill a sense f hspitality, prayer, frmatin and service by first fulfilling the missin f each parish cmmunity, and in unity t extend that genersity, gratitude and service t the dicese and t the wider needs f the universal Church. This unity in actin was t: Recgnize, strengthen and supprt the rle f the family in the life f the Church. 7
Stimulate and braden lcal parish life, bringing abut the frmatin and unity amng parishiners as they share generusly, sacrificially and prprtinately their varied grace and Gd-given giftedness f time, talent and treasure. Prvide the invitatin, encuragement and pprtunity fr all t experience, respnd t and fulfill their Baptismal call t discipleship. Identify, plan and prvide fr the needs f the parish cmmunity by establishing missin statements, related gals, bjectives and actin plans alng with the pastral and peratinal structure t facilitate, supprt and maintain the prcess. Recgnize the parish as the primary and rdinary recipient f the sharing f ur individual and family Gd-given giftedness frm which the parish wuld supprt its missin while als prprtinately sharing and prviding fr the rdinary and special needs f the dicese and the wider universal Church. 8
Characteristics f Parish Stewardship Cuncil Members In the prcess f recruiting and selecting parishiners t serve n the stewardship cuncil, experience and research suggests that members f the stewardship cuncil shuld: Be spiritually mtivated individuals wh: Are prayerfully mtivated, cmmitted t their Cathlic faith and seek t, bth privately and penly, witness t and live that faith in the manner in which they respnd, in actin, t their Baptismal call t discipleship. Recgnize their Gd given grace and giftedness, and in gratitude strive t live a life f hliness. Recgnize The whle liturgical life f the Church revlves arund the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. (Catechism f the Cathlic Church # 1113) Are thse within the parish cmmunity wh mst clearly reflect the eagerness and enthusiasm, and pssess the energy and belief that it takes t invite, encurage and prvide the pprtunity fr thers t becme invlved in the prcess f living stewardship as a lifelng way f life, serving the missin f the parish. Represent all demgraphics f the parish including married cuples (families), individual parishiners, yuth, yung adults, the elderly, sick, disabled, hmebund, incarcerated, etc., and thse representing the varius cultures within the parish cmmunity. This diversity f cuncil membership is imprtant t assure that all aspects f parish life are prvided the invitatin and pprtunity t actively respnd t their Baptismal call t discipleship, serving and being served within the parish cmmunity. Be actively invlved in the parish Members f a parish stewardship cuncil shuld be registered parishiners wh are r have previusly been actively invlved in the parish as ministry leaders r ministers. Be knwledgeable f the missin, ministries, activities and demgraphics f the parish Parish stewardship cuncil members shuld be parishiners wh have brad knwledge and/r appreciatin f the missin f the parish in terms f recgnizing, within the demgraphics f the parish, the ministries, activities, etc., necessary t meet and serve the needs f its parishiners. Cuncil members shuld als be sensitive t and recgnize the need t peridically survey r therwise listen bradly t parishiners t be assured that their needs are being met, thus maintaining their invlvement, supprt and cmmitment t the parish. 9
Exemplify the qualities f leadership, relatinship, discipleship and stewardship In rder t be effective stewardship cuncil members, individuals must exemplify and witness t the spiritual and practical characteristics f leadership, relatinship, discipleship and stewardship in their wn lives as they seek t guide, direct and frm thers in what it means t be and live as Christian stewards serving the missin f the parish. Ding s requires the utilizatin, practice and linking f these fur spiritual/practical characteristics: Leadership: Frm a spiritual perspective, stewardship cuncil members must recgnize Gd as their leader and be willing t fllw behind Him and imitate His example. Wh d peple say that the Sn f Man is? They replied, Sme say Jhn the Baptist, thers Elijah, still thers Jeremiah r ne f the prphets. He said t them, but wh d yu say that I am? Simn Peter said in reply, Yu are the Messiah, the Sn f the living Gd. (Mt 16:13-16) In additin t understanding the spiritual aspect f leadership, cuncil members shuld necessarily pssess the ability t guide, direct r influence thers. Relatinship: Stewardship cuncil members shuld recgnize the imprtance and frequent practice f prayer as a cvenant relatinship between Gd and man in Christ. (Catechism f the Cathlic Church #2564) Additinally, members f the stewardship cuncil must recgnize the imprtance f a prper ministry relatinship between fellw cuncil members, the pastr and the parish pastral structure as they serve and carry ut the missin f the parish in the true spirituality f stewardship. Discipleship: Thse chsen t serve as stewardship cuncil members must be mindful f their Baptismal call t discipleship recgnizing that a Christian disciple is, One wh respnds t Christ s call, fllws Jesus, and shapes his r her life in imitatin f Christ s. (Stewardship A Disciple s Respnse U. S. Bishps Pastral Letter n Stewardship) Then Jesus said t his disciples, whever wishes t cme after me must deny himself, take up his crss, and fllw me. Fr whever wishes t save his life will lse it, but whever lses his life fr my sake will find it. (Mt 16: 24-25) Thse seeking t r thse selected t serve as stewardship cuncil members must als recgnize they are called t put their faith in actin. They are t invite, encurage and seek t prvide the pprtunity fr thers t respnd t their call t discipleship. Stewardship cuncil members must be and serve as mdels fr thers t fllw. Stewardship: Parish stewardship cuncil members must recgnize that the cncept and practice f stewardship as a way f life is biblically based. As each ne has received a gift, use it t serve ne anther as gd stewards f Gd s varied grace. (1 Pt 4:10) 10
Stewardship cuncil members must recgnize that the practice f stewardship, discipleship in actin, teaches us that all gift is frm Gd, beginning with the gift f life. Thrughut the curse f ur Gd-given life, we are called, in actin, t recgnize, receive, and accept Gd s varied grace and giftedness fr the purpse fr which it is being given, ut f Gd s never ending lve fr each f us. In the curse f this spiritual transfrmatin f recgnizing, receiving and accepting Gd s gifts, stewardship cuncil members must recgnize the need fr all t share thse gifts generusly, sacrificially and prprtinately in lve f Gd and neighbr. Have the ability t envisin where stewardship can take the parish Parish stewardship cuncil members must be visin minded. They must recgnize hw the brad spiritual and practical aspects f living stewardship as a way f life can frm and change the lives f individuals and families, while at the same time assuring their parish is, and will be, an nging viable and vibrant place meeting and sustaining the needs f parishiners and adjusting, as necessary, t changing demgraphics. Be well rganized and cmmitted t serving n the cuncil Thse selected t serve n the stewardship cuncil shuld be individuals wh are wellrganized in terms f time management and in identifying and setting gals, bjectives and related pririties necessary t facilitate an annual/nging, efficient and effective stewardship prcess in the parish. Selected individuals shuld be apprised f the cmmitment that will be necessary t facilitate the annual/nging prcess f educatin and frmatin as well as that f the preparatin, respnse and fllw-up phases f the annual parish stewardship renewal prcess. Seek t implement accuntability within the parish cmmunity The stewardship cuncil members shuld, in cncert with members f the parish finance cuncil, seek t keep the parish cmmunity bradly infrmed and apprised f the ministries, activities, etc., that are in place t serve the missin f the parish. This cmmunicatin and reprting prcess shuld include statistics and infrmatin that will be meaningful and reflective f invlvement, vlunteerism and service, sending the message f thanks and appreciatin. Cmmunicate that Gd s lve (grace and giftedness) is ALL-encmpassing Recgnize, practice and be cmfrtable in cmmunicating that Gd s lve (grace and giftedness) is encmpassing f all we are, have and ever will be, and that all are therefre called t return and share in gratitude, generusly, sacrificially and prprtinately ur time, talent and treasure in service t the missin f ur parish, dicese and the wider universal Church. 11
Parish stewardship cuncil members must recgnize their individual Baptismal call t discipleship and be willingly and actively invlved in the prcess f inviting, encuraging and prviding the pprtunities fr all within the parish cmmunity t likewise respnd t their call t discipleship serving the missin f the parish and the wider universal Church. 12
STRUCTURE Selectin prcess Within the structure f the Church all parish related cuncils, cmmittees, ministries, etc., serve under the directin f and in an advisry capacity t the parish pastr. As such, the selectin prcess fr the parish stewardship cuncil must be facilitated as determined by the pastr, keeping the fllwing factrs in mind. Recgnizing the desired characteristics f parish stewardship cuncil members, thse chsen t serve shuld be carefully interviewed, advised f the expectatins and then, if deemed qualified by the pastr and/r selectin cmmittee, given the chice f accepting r rejecting the invitatin t serve. Once they have accepted the invitatin t serve they can be selected by direct pastr appintment and/r then have their names placed in nminatin t be vted upn by the designated selectin cmmittee, electing the number f psitins t be filled. Leadership f the Cuncil At the discretin f the pastr, he may suggest and apprve the prcess f selecting, under his directin, chairpersn(s) and ther fficers f the Cuncil r he may leave that t the discretin f his pastral staff and stewardship staff liaisn. Thse selected shuld be carefully chsen n the basis f their persnal stewardship spirituality frmatin, witness t and general leadership qualities that will assure effective and nging stewardship frmatin and cntinuity within the parish cmmunity. Terms f leadership psitins shuld generally fllw and rtate within the guidelines fr terms f service fr all cuncil members. CHAIRPERSON Basic Respnsibilities First, t prepare agenda and chair all meetings. Secndly, t be key cmmunicatin link with designated parish staff persn. The Chairpersn shuld have a term f service f n lnger than tw years, renewable twice. SECRETARY Basic Respnsibility - T take and distribute ntes fr each meeting that reflect the significant items f business addressed. SELECTION COMMITTEE CHAIR Basic Respnsibilities T slicit and gather names f ptential stewardship cuncil members frm ther cuncil members and parish clergy and staff, and t interview (alng with the cuncil chairpersn and parish stewardship staff) in rder t place names int nminatin t the full cuncil. The Selectin Cmmittee Chairpersn shuld have a term f service f n lnger than tw years, renewable nce. 13
Size f Cuncil The size f the cuncil shuld be cmmensurate with the size and diversity f demgraphics within the parish cmmunity. It shuld be adequate in size t facilitate the annual and nging activities necessary t maintain an active stewardship frmatin and educatin prcess within the parish. The ptimum size shuld take int accunt the imprtance f facilitating invlvement f parishiners, wh thrugh their witness and experience will inspire thers t fllw in their ftsteps. A cuncil f 10-15 members is apprpriate fr a parish f ur size. Terms f Service Thse selected/appinted t the stewardship cuncil shuld be willing t cmmit t a minimum term f ne t three years, with the pprtunity t extend that term, if desired, t ne additinal tw year term. Terms f cuncil membership shuld be staggered s as t assure nging understanding and knwledge f the tasks at hand. Based upn experience, the effectiveness f the parish stewardship cuncil will be cmmensurate with cmmitment f time and frmatin/cnversin n the part f its members. The annual and nging activities necessary t facilitate a successful parish stewardship prcess requires sme nging cntinuity and bnding within the cuncil membership. Frequent turnver and nn-active cuncil members will result in a lack f necessary attentin, cmmitment and fcus n the task at hand t assure that the spirit, language and practice f stewardship is wven int the very fabric f the parish and its parishiners. Meetings The frequency f meetings will be dependent upn the nging/seasnal duties and respnsibilities assigned t the cuncil. An active and cmmitted stewardship cuncil will, very likely, within the scpe f duties including that f a well-rganized annual parish stewardship renewal prcess, find the necessity f regular mnthly meetings. These mnthly meetings must necessarily include nging and prayerful frmatin f cuncil members while als planning, evaluating, designing and carrying ut the duties f the cuncil, as well as the 3 5-year gals as laid ut by the pastr. Organizatinal Accuntability The stewardship cuncil functins as the parish pastral cuncil and als wrks with the finance cuncil, capital campaign cmmittee, ministry leaders and parish staff. The cmmittee shuld cmmunicate regularly, send cpies f meeting ntes and engage the finance cuncil, ministry leaders and parish staff in discussin f prpsed significant prgrams and activities. 14
FORMATION & EDUCATION Spiritual Frmatin The initial and nging frmatin as t the cncept and understanding f The Spirituality f Stewardship is f utmst imprtance. All members f the stewardship cuncil must be willing and cmmitted t attending and participating in a required prcess f stewardship frmatin as prescribed by the pastr and/r dicese. The frmat and agenda fr this frmatinal prcess is under design, but likely will include presentatins, alng with related resurces that will assist in facilitating grup prayer, sng, individual participatin, questins and answers, and related activities. It is imprtant fr this spiritual frmatin t be nging and renewed n sme peridic basis t assure that newly selected cuncil members are apprpriately frmed in The Spirituality f Stewardship. As stewardship cuncil members, it is imprtant t understand that ne cannt teach and frm thers if ne is nt living that which they seek t teach. Interactive Bnding As with any cuncil r cmmittee, the membership cnsists f a variety f persnalities, cultures, talents and pinins. In additin, ne will typically find different levels f spirituality, educatin, and experience. With this ptential and pssible variety f traits and characteristics, it is imperative that the members f the cuncil spend prayerful and quality time seeking t bnd spiritually and scially t becme family in the sense f knwing and understanding each ther, including spuses wh may nt be serving n the cuncil. This manner f bnding will serve t prvide a meaningful wrking relatinship, understanding and appreciatin f ther cuncil members and their sense f cmmitment t the parish. Bnding in this manner will als serve t avid the ptential fr meetings t be nthing mre than a meeting f strangers with n cmmn visin r missin. Cntinuing Educatin Pastrs, parish stewardship staff and stewardship cuncil members shuld avail themselves f all available cntinuing educatin resurces and pprtunities including dicesan, reginal and natinal seminars and/r cnferences n the subject f stewardship. 15
BEST PRACTICES Visin and Missin Every parish, in an nging manner, shuld strive t envisin its future existence in prviding and serving the needs f its parishiners and the cmmunity in which it thrives. In rder t be cntinually fcused n this visin, it is imprtant fr every parish t establish its specific defined missin, that f identifying and respnding t the fundamental, spiritual, scial and particular demgraphic needs f its parish cmmunity. Our missin, as yu knw, is Christian Disciples in Missin. T this end, it is the rle f the parish stewardship cuncil t cllabrate with the staff and ministry leaders t create, facilitate and maintain a vibrant and viable stewardship parish thrugh nging cmmunicatin, cnversatin and practice that will prvide and lead parishiners t a true and lifelng stewardship way-f-life cnversin, respnding t their Baptismal call t discipleship. In general, it shuld therefre be the gal f ur parish, within its visin and missin, t assure that in the hearts, minds and eyes f all parishiners ur parish is and/r seeks t truly becme a place f hspitality, prayer, frmatin and service, where a stewardship way-f-life culture is wven int the very fabric f the parish. Hspitality The parish cmmunity, in a variety f ways, can and des serve as an extensin f the dmestic church (the family) in prviding the desired and necessary spiritual, educatinal and scial needs that therwise may nt be available. This hspitality can, ften times, prvide the substance and glue necessary t keep individuals and families tied clsely t their Cathlic faith. Intentinal and active hspitality cupled with the pprtunity fr invlvement fsters an enhanced sense f vested interest in the parish. The stewardship cuncil shuld seek t be sure that all parishiners, within the brad demgraphics f the parish, sense and recgnize that they are greeted, invited, encuraged and prvided the pprtunity t be invlved, thus feeling welcmed, served and appreciated. Prayer In recgnitin that the textbk f stewardship is the Bible and the schl f stewardship is the Mass, we are therefre prvided with the Wrd and the sacramental grace that serves as the surce and summit f ur Cathlic faith. In the prcess f stewardship frmatin and cnversin, it is imprtant t recgnize the deep cnnectin between the Eucharistic celebratin and stewardship. In ne f the prefaces f the Eucharistic prayers it says: 16
Father, all pwerful and ever-living Gd, we d well always and everywhere t give yu thanks. Yu have n need f ur praise, yet ur desire t thank yu is itself yur gift. Our prayer f thanksgiving adds nthing t yur greatness, but makes us grw in yur grace, thrugh Jesus Christ ur Lrd. Amen. Discerning the Wrd and participating in the sacraments are all essential in ur vcatinal call t hliness, that f respnding t ur Baptismal call t discipleship. The stewardship cuncil shuld seek t instill the pwer and imprtance f prayer in the hearts and minds f all parishiners and t assist parishiners in establishing a rutine f prayer in their daily lives. Thus, it is imprtant t prvide and facilitate a variety f persnal and cmmunal prayer pprtunities and related educatin within the parish. It is als thrugh prayer and living the Mass that we learn t recgnize, receive, accept and share Gd s grace and giftedness in lve f Gd and neighbr. Frmatin As the steward grws in the life f prayer, Gd reveals himself mre intimately in this persnal relatinship. The steward als sees that the gifts received frm Gd are t be shared and nt buried. The steward remains deeply rted in humility, recgnizing that the gifts ne has been given cme nt frm self, but frm Gd. Thse gifts are t be shared with thers. This frmatin f each individual becmes part f the frmatin f the parish cmmunity. As members f the Bdy f Christ, the parish recgnizes that it has a call frm Gd t give and share His giftedness. Inherent within each individual is the need t give t mve frm selfishness t selflessness. This frmatin is a life-lng jurney f cnversin. As ne grws mre deeply in this frmatin in a life f stewardship, the mre deeply ne lves as Gd lves us. This is true fr the individual steward and fr the stewardship parish. (The Pillars f Parish Stewardship Cathlic Dicese f Wichita) Onging prayer, educatin and cmmunicatin are the factrs necessary in fstering and strengthening the stewardship cnversin prcess. This frmatin prcess shuld imprtantly seek t weave the language and practice f stewardship int the very fabric f the parish. Service At the very heart f Christian stewardship is the act f service. Mature disciples make a cnscius, firm decisin, carried ut in actin, t be fllwers f Jesus Christ n matter the cst t themselves. 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 17
time, but in an entire way f life. It means cmmitting ne s self t the Lrd. (Stewardship A Disciple s Respnse, U. S. Bishps Pastral Letter n Stewardship) A stewardship parish seeks t be that cmmn faith cmmunity within which parishiners are invited and have the pprtunity t serve and be served, giving, receiving and sharing their Gd-given giftedness. It is thrugh the pillar f service at the parish r brader cmmunity level that a Christian steward is prvided the pprtunity t respnd, in actin, t his/her call t discipleship individually and/r cllectively. It is therefre the rle f the parish and its stewardship cuncil t be attentive t the needs f parishiners and in turn t prvide the pprtunity fr its parishiners t respnd in gratitude and actin in recgnitin f the gifts they have received. As such, parishiners will be affrded the pprtunity t discver their persnality strengths thrugh Living Yur Strengths and the Cliftn StrengthsFinder assessment. Duties and Respnsibilities The duties and respnsibilities f a stewardship cuncil may vary depending upn size, lcatin and demgraphics f the parish. The fllwing are thse imprtant duties, respnsibilities and related best practices that have prven t be essential in facilitating viable, vibrant and successful stewardship parishes. Educatin and Frmatin Of primary imprtance is the task f using whatever means, resurces and practices that are available t facilitate an nging and life-lng prcess f educatin and frmatin in what it means t be and live as a Christian disciple. This educatin and frmatin must be predicated upn the Bible, the textbk f stewardship, and the Mass, the schl f stewardship. This educatin and frmatin must imprtantly target parish ministry leaders and teachers, fr ne cannt teach r witness what he/she is nt living. Likewise, it is imprtant fr the language and practice f stewardship t becme secnd nature and wven int the very fabric f the parish. Stewardship threaded int hmilies, r hmilies specifically targeting the subject f stewardship, shuld be planned and intentinal. There are few weekly readings r gspels where there is nt sme thread f stewardship wven in. The nging practice f hmilies tuching upn the subject f stewardship r including the language f stewardship will greatly assist in causing the subject t be understd psitively as a respnse t the Baptismal call t discipleship, rather than negatively understd as nly a way t raise funds. Hmilies reflecting upn the spirituality f stewardship als serve t reflect the pastr s understanding and supprt f the imprtance f stewardship in the lives f parishiners and their parishes. 18
During the curse f an annual parish stewardship renewal prcess the general intercessin/prayers f the faithful shuld include prayers directed twards the success f the renewal prcess and the nging stewardship cnversin prcess f parishiners. It is als vitally imprtant t integrate the spirituality and practice f stewardship int the religius educatin curriculums in parish yuth educatin prgrams, Vacatin Bible Schl, Yung Disciples, Catechesis f the Gd Shepherd, Stepping Stnes, the Edge and Life Teen. Resurces and materials t assist in this frmatin are available frm a variety f surces including that f the Dicesan Stewardship Office, the United States Cathlic Cnference f Bishps, the Internatinal Cathlic Stewardship Cuncil and ther excellent web sites and publishers f stewardship materials. Cllabratin With Other Parish Organizatins In the develpment f annual stewardship prgram plans, the stewardship cuncil is encuraged t bth spnsr activities f their wn, as well as wrk with/thrugh varius parish staff members, cmmittees and ministry rganizatins. Key grups might include: Adult & Yuth Faith Frmatin This grup may help with general stewardship educatin and awareness raising prgrams fr the parish. Liturgical Ministries Prayer and wrship are the fcus f this cmmittee and they can help with the resurces and pprtunities fr the parish, husehld and individual faith-filled prayer. Scial Justice Ministries This cmmittee can help prvide vlunteer pprtunities and training fr thse interested in develpment f parish pastral care, as well as vlunteer pprtunities in the parish and utreach t the brader cmmunity. Hspitality and Evangelizatin These will cnnect new parishiners with ministry and service pprtunities and help t educate the new members n the missin f the parish, t establish the themes fr which we stand and t help them t feel ur deep sense f welcme and hspitality. Finance Cuncil This cuncil is the bdy that assists the pastr/pastral directr in managing the tempral gds f the parish as well as fund raising fr specific needs, e.g., Capital Campaign. Wrking with members f this grup t prmte generus material and financial sharing can be very prductive. Cmmunicatin The prcess f educatin and frmatin entails the need fr a variety f nging methds f effective cmmunicatin. 19
Newsletters: A mnthly r ther peridic newsletter can be an effective cmmunicatin tl fr the purpse f keeping parishiners infrmed while als inviting, encuraging and prviding the pprtunity fr all t becme invlved in the activities, ministries and missin f the parish. A well-designed, attractive and frequently published newsletter can greatly enhance the image f a parish. The size and demgraphics f a parish will dictate the verall effrt necessary t publish and distribute a parish newsletter. A peridic newsletter, n matter the size r demgraphics f the parish, is a very imprtant tl in keeping parishiners cnnected with the ministries, activities and parish cmmunity in general. Newsletters als prvide fr the pprtunity t publish articles reflecting hw parishiners are witnesses t thers in the manner in which they are living and practicing the stewardship way f life. Newsletter articles shuld seek t mentin, ver time, as many parishiners as pssible. There are a variety f ways t distribute and/r mail parish newsletters. Parishes that are serius abut stewardship and evangelizatin will seek t be sure that the newsletter is made available t all registered husehlds. The mst desirable distributin prcess is that f mailing the newsletter t all husehlds, the results f which will be cmmensurate with the cst. In the new age f electrnic cmmunicatin, e-newsletters are becming ppular and very cst effective. Newsletters can als be made available n the parish web site. Bulletin Inserts: The nging practice f including stewardship bulletin inserts in the weekly parish bulletin is imprtant t keep the message f stewardship fresh in the minds f parishiners. The bulletin inserts (qutes) will als frequently be tied t scripture which helps in keeping the message f stewardship biblically based. Stewardship Brchures: A variety f stewardship brchures and materials shuld be made available. The publishers f these brchures and materials are identified in the resurce sectin f this handbk. Many parishes have these brchures and materials n display and available fr parishiners t take hme. Parish Ministry Directry/Bklet: The regular publicatin and/r revisin f a Parish Ministry Directry / Bklet can be ne f the mst imprtant methds f cmmunicatin within a parish. This is nt t be cnfused with a parish pictrial directry. A Parish Ministry Directry/Bklet can effectively serve a parish in a variety f ways. It can serve t prvide a brad spectrum f infrmatin and facts abut the parish. As the title f the dcument infers, it shuld specifically identify and 20
describe all f the ministries, activities, grups, their purpse and ther services being prvided t serve the needs f the parish cmmunity. It shuld include the names, phne numbers and perhaps the e-mail addresses f the current leaders / chairpersns f the ministries, etc. It shuld suggest and encurage parishiners t becme invlved as a way f respnding t their Baptismal call t discipleship. The size and frmat f this directry will vary dependent upn the size and demgraphics f the parish. It is extremely imprtant t keep the directry revised and up t date, reflecting current facts and infrmatin abut thse wh are serving as leaders / chairpersns f the varius ministries, etc. Lay Witness Presentatins: One f the mst effective methds f stewardship cmmunicatin, frmatin and cnversin is that f prviding fr and scheduling stewardship lay witness presentatins. A lay witness presentatin is that given by an individual, cuple, family, yuth r yung adult testifying t the impact that stewardship as a way f life has had n their lives, that f their family and perhaps their parish. Witness presentatins can be given at any time during the year. Typically these presentatins are mst effective when given during the parish s annual stewardship renewal prcess. Individuals chsen t give witness presentatins are thse wh are typically knwn fr their example, cmmitment t and active practice f their faith. Lay witness presentatins are mst effective when the presenters are truly speaking frm the heart, reflecting their persnal experience and cnversin. The frmality and style f presentatin will be vershadwed by the sincerity f the presentatin. There are a variety f basic elements t be included in a witness presentatin. Materials and infrmatin t assist in the preparatin and delivery f a witness presentatin are available frm many stewardship resurces. The stewardship cuncil shuld, wrking with the parish stewardship staff, assist in the selectin and training f witness presenters. Welcming Cmmittee: In cperatin with the parish hspitality and evangelizatin staff, the stewardship cuncil shuld encurage and assist in the facilitatin f a new parishiner welcming prcess. It is imprtant that this prcess prvide new and prspective members with brad infrmatin relative t the verall missin, ministries and activities f the parish, apprpriately inviting them t becme and remain actively invlved. This effrt shuld seek t be sure that all parishiners sense and recgnize that they are invited, encuraged and 21
given the pprtunity t be invlved, thus allwing them t feel welcmed, served and appreciated. Experience and research cnfirms that the effrt and the number f nging parish welcming activities will have a prfund and measurable impact n parish life and the resulting generus and sacrificial supprt f its parishiners thrugh the sharing f their time, talent and treasure. The results will be cmmensurate with the effrt put frth t welcme and greet these new parishiners. These upfrnt and nging effrts prvide the pprtunity t nt nly welcme parishiners, but t als invite and encurage their invlvement, while als cmmunicating the expectatins f parishiners in carrying ut the missin f St. Patrick Cathlic Cmmunity. Registering New Parishiners Assist the parish staff in scheduling peridic pprtunities fr new parishiners t register in the parish. These pprtunities culd be scheduled nce a mnth fllwing all weekend Masses with a welcming cmmittee table available in the church gathering space r ther suitable lcatin at the parish. Thse seeking t register wuld be prvided with the parish-designed registratin packet and frm t be cmpleted and returned t the parish. New Parishiner Receptins The scheduling f peridic new parishiner receptins prvides the pprtunity t mre frmally greet and welcme newly-registered parishiners. These events are scheduled generally fr the last Tuesday each mnth. Newly-registered parishiners wuld be frmally invited t attend at which time there wuld be wine, cheese and/r ther fd available while listening t shrt presentatins by the pastr and key parish ministry chairpersns, and, mre imprtantly, spending time getting t knw each ther as new members. This imprtant welcming activity can be rganized and facilitated jintly by the evangelizatin and welcming cmmittee, alng with the stewardship cuncil and ther parish staff, as needed. Welcming Packet At the same time, the welcming cmmittee wuld prvide a welcming packet that might include sme r all f the fllwing: 22
A letter greeting the new parishiners frm the Pastr that might als reflect upn active parishiner expectatins, the parish missin statement and/r ther parish guidelines. A parish ministry/activity bklet reflecting all f the active ministries, activities and grups within the parish alng with a current list f chairpersns and infrmatin n hw t becme invlved. Any special flyers f parish ministries that might be f help r infrmatin fr new parishiners. It wuld be helpful and infrmative t include a current cpy f the parish stewardship and finance cuncil structure, if available. Sme parishes will include a small gift f sme type as an additinal expressin f appreciatin fr their registering and jining the parish. Mass Greeters The use f Mass greeters is a very simple, yet effective, welcming activity. The presence f individuals r families at church entrances t greet thse arriving t attend Mass has been prven t have a prfund impact n parishiners and visitrs. This imprtant welcming activity prvides an added pprtunity t vlunteer ne s time t be present befre Mass t welcme, greet and perhaps answer any questins frm parishiners and/r visitrs. This simple act f hspitality serves t reflect a welcming spirit t the parish while als demnstrating a gentle sense f caring and cmpassin fr every individual wh enters the church t participate in the liturgy and sacrament f the Eucharist. The stewardship cuncil shuld seek t prvide the pprtunity fr parishiners t minister in this imprtant parish welcming activity. Stewardship Sundays/Ministry Fairs: A ministry fair is an annual, r ther peridic, well-planned parish event that can effectively cmmunicate and display, in a festive and scial atmsphere, the variety and brad scpe f ministries, activities and grups serving the needs f parishiners that are available within the parish cmmunity. This event will prvide the pprtunity fr all parish ministries, activities and/ r grups t display and cmmunicate their existence and purpse and give the pprtunity fr thse interested t becme actively invlved thrugh the vlunteering f their time and talent. 23
A parish ministry fair can be very effective when planned and facilitated during an annual parish stewardship renewal prcess. It is during this renewal perid when parishiners are being invited t prayerfully and cnsciusly discern hw they are recgnizing, receiving and sharing their time and talent in service t their parish cmmunity. A parish ministry fair must be well-rganized with specific emphasis n hw t attract individuals and families t the event. A variety f fun events, cntests and children s activities will typically draw parishiners t the fair. The Annual Parish Stewardship Renewal Prcess (Dicese f Wichita example) The verall success f stewardship within the parish cmmunity will be highly dependent upn the annual cmmitment t a parish stewardship renewal prcess. During the seasn f Lent we are all annually called, in a penitential manner thrugh prayer, fasting and almsgiving, t dwell upn ur jurney t hliness develping a deeper faith life. It is in this same prayerful and cnscius fashin that we shuld annually discern the manner in which we are respnding t ur Baptismal call t discipleship. We are reminded f this call and the cnditins f discipleship in Mt 16:24 Whever wishes t cme after me must deny himself, take up his crss, and fllw me. The annual parish stewardship renewal prcess prvides the pprtunity t prayerfully and cnscientiusly cnsider the manner in which we, as individuals, are r are nt respnding t ur call t discipleship. It is thrugh this annual examinatin f cnscience that we are t prayerfully recgnize, receive and accept ur Gd-given giftedness and then determine hw we will generusly and sacrificially share that giftedness in lve f Gd and neighbr. A well-designed/rganized and effective parish stewardship renewal prcess will necessarily entail an rganized three-phase perid f preparatin, call t cmmitment and the everimprtant fllw-up. This three phase prcess can, depending upn the verall planning, preparatin, renewal, fllw-up, evaluatin and desired expectatins, entail an verall perid f up t nine mnths t cmplete, if dne crrectly. This cmmitted perid f time may vary depending upn the size and demgraphics f the parish. The results will be cmmensurate with the time and effrt put frth. This annual renewal prcess in the Dicese f Wichita is designed t begin in June f each year and will be, fr the mst part, cmpleted during the first calendar quarter f the ensuing year. The Preparatin Phase: A calendar (date specific, timeline) shuld be planned and scheduled by the pastr, parish staff and stewardship cuncil. 24
The Preparatin Phase typically begins during the mnth f June each year and is cmpleted and ready fr the Call t Cmmitment Phase (near the end f Octber) that begins fur (4) weeks in advance f Stewardship Respnse Sunday, which is always the Sunday prir t the Thanksgiving hliday. The parish stewardship cuncil, under the directin f the pastr, shuld design, prepare and print time and talent (Call t Cmmitment) frms that are custmized t supprt the missin, ministries and activities f the parish. The time and talent frms shuld be userfriendly, easily understd and recgnized as a means f calling all parishiners t actin in serving the needs f the parish cmmunity, thus respnding t their call t discipleship. The use and cmpletin f treasure cmmitment frms must als be encuraged, prviding the pprtunity fr parishiners (husehlds) t generusly, sacrificially and prprtinately pledge and cmmit their financial resurces. Please refer t the current year Annual Parish Stewardship Renewal Schedule and Guidelines fr assistance and supprt in the printing and supplying f parish custmized time and talent frms, alng with dicesan prvided treasure cmmitment frms and related supplies. During the Preparatin Phase, the parish will want t schedule and plan lay witness presentatins, ministry fairs, bulletin/newsletter articles and what steps may be taken t cmmunicate the stewardship message thrugh hmilies, frmatin prgrams, RCIA, sacramental preparatin classes, etc. The Preparatin Phase is als that perid f time in which the stewardship cuncil will want t plan and design the prcess f preparing, assembling, mailing and/r distributing the time, talent and treasure call t cmmitment frms t parishiners. Cnsideratin shuld be given t using the distributin methd that will maximize distributin t all parish husehlds. The Call t Cmmitment Phase: The Call t Cmmitment Phase will typically begin apprximately fur (4) weeks in advance f Stewardship Respnse Sunday (the Sunday just prir t the Thanksgiving hliday). During this fur-week perid a variety f educatinal and frmatinal activities and events shuld be scheduled. The Bishp f the Dicese and/r pastr will prepare and mail his annual stewardship message t all registered husehlds, inviting and encuraging the laity t prayerfully discern their Gd-given varied grace and giftedness, and t cnsciusly cnsider hw they will, in gratitude, recgnize, receive and share that grace and giftedness in lve f 25
Gd and neighbr, serving the needs f their family, parish, dicese and the wider universal Church. The mailing and/r ther distributin f the parish Call t Cmmitment frms and related materials shuld take place in early Nvember, within ne t tw weeks in advance f Stewardship Respnse Sunday. The pastr shuld plan and deliver his hmilies n the spirituality f stewardship, the brad aspects f stewardship, and the actin f respnding t the individual call t discipleship. Lay witness presentatins will be scheduled during the Call t Cmmitment Phase. These can be in additin t and fllwing the pastr s hmily, r they can be presented at the end f Mass, as determined by the pastr. Stewardship bulletin ntices and newsletter articles n the subject f stewardship can be effective during the Call t Cmmitment Phase. In cnjunctin with hmilies, lay witness presentatins, etc., parishiners shuld be infrmed f the imprtance and purpse f their annual need t prayerfully reflect n their stewardship and cmplete and return their time, talent and treasure Call t Cmmitment frms n Stewardship Respnse Sunday. On Stewardship Respnse Sunday, the pastr shuld sincerely cnvey his thanks and that f the parish t thse wh have cmpleted and returned their Call t Cmmitment frms. At the same time, he shuld invite and encurage thse wh have nt yet cmpleted their frms t please d s as sn as pssible. The Fllw-up Phase: The very imprtant Fllw-up Phase begins immediately fllwing Stewardship Respnse Sunday. As the Call t Cmmitment frms are being received frm parishiners, it is the wrk f the stewardship cuncil t be actively invlved as fllws: All data (names, addresses and cmmitments f time and talent) shuld be dcumented n paper r electrnically in an rganized fashin, s the stewardship cuncil is in a psitin t prmptly send general thank yu ntices t all respndents and t dcument all cmmitments f time and talent by ministry, activity, etc. The dcumentatin f ministry and activity cmmitments is necessary in rder t be able t prmptly prvide all ministry and activity cmmittee chairpersns with the names, addresses, etc., f thse wh have vlunteered. It then becmes the respnsibility f thse chairpersns r designated cmmittee/ activity members t prmptly cmmunicate with the vlunteer ministers t again thank 26