Engaging Parishioners Through the Spirituality of Stewardship
Thank You Father Peter Martinez and St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Clergy and YOU!
Who is Hear & Why are We Here Today? Pastors, Deacons, Religious, Staff Members & Lay Leadership Will everything I learn today directly help my ministry or job? Our hope is we can give every person here some tools to implement Stewardship as a Way of Life in your parish, ministry or job. Specifically You Will Learn Stewardship Principles Commitment Weekend Financial/Pastoral Management in the Parish Stewardship of Treasure Process Websites Online Giving Social Media
We love Pirfection From Our: Families Friends Employers/Colleagues Volunteers Providers Clergy, Religious and Laity and We like to focus on Imperfection, rather than the bigger picture.
It s Not About Me! So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17
Saint John the Baptist: He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
How we think is How We Live and how we project our feelings, opinions and thoughts onto other people. Be careful how you you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Proverbs 4:23
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7 See Jesus in Who We Serve
How do we connect with people?
What Does this Have to do with Stewardship? Attitude & Perspective Communication Engagement Quality of Relationships Effectiveness in Evangelization Baptizing Teaching all He has commanded Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20
Stewardship Three Convictions of the USCCB First Conviction Mature disciples make a conscious, firm decision, carried out in action, to be followers of Jesus Christ no matter the cost to themselves
Stewardship Second Conviction Beginning in conversion, change of mind and heart, this commitment is expressed not in a single action, nor even in a number of actions over a period of time, but in an entire way of life. It means committing one s very self to the Lord.
Stewardship Three Convictions of the USCCB Third Conviction Stewardship is an expression of discipleship, with the power to change how we understand and live out our lives. Disciples who practice stewardship recognize God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all they have and are and will be. They are deeply aware of the truth that The Lord s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it (Ps 24:1). They know themselves to be recipients and caretakers of God s many gifts. They are grateful for what they have received and eager to cultivate their gifts out of love for God and one another
Stewardship Engages Parishioners, by committing us to the Mission, Go Make Disciples We can measure our progress Helps us identify our strengths and opportunities I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. - 2 Timothy 4:7-8 Gives us a Sense of Purpose We connect God to every action we take in our lives We see others as a gift in our life; and our life as a gift to others. We can relate to Stewardship, regardless of our level of catechesis I believe in God, and I believe in human decency. But I firmly believe that any man's finest hour -- his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear -- is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious." - Coach Vincent T. Lombardi
Stewardship Through the Year January March April Stewardship of Prayer Stewardship of Vocations Stewardship of Earth Stewardship of Time & Talent Stewardship of Faith Stewardship of Treasure May August November Teaching Ownership Creating Patterns in our lives Practice Renewal, Renewal, Renewal
Why Commitment Weekends?
Stewardship of Prayer The Pastor Emphasize how we are connected through prayer Be Creative Encourage Committing to a Prayer Schedule Staff/Stewardship Team Help the Pastor with a letter in the bulletin Religious Education -- talk about it in CCD Help the pastor with a personal letter to parishioners Help with logistics for the cards in the pews
The Pastor Pray for ALL Vocations, with the Parish Speak to young men and women Called by name Staff/Stewardship Team Host a Dinner Send a letter to parishioners Birthday cards to parishioners Work with the Office of Family Life and the Director of Vocations Stewardship of Vocations
The Pastor Speak about taking ownership of our community and environment Sponsor a project that needs help & ask the parish to help Staff/Stewardship Team Promote Earth Day through the bulletin Involve the Religious Education kids in a church grounds clean up, garden or plant a tree Coordinate the special project for the pastor Stewardship of the Earth
The Pastor Identify the needs of the parish in ministry Meet with all the ministries and share the vision Identify parish ministry leadership Staff/Stewardship Team Send a letter to parishioners inviting them to participate Develop a ministry brochure that has Leadership Name, Phone Numbers/Email and Meeting times Ensure website is current Stewardship of Time & Talent
The Pastor Work with the DRE to develop a Catechesis Plan Give a short instruction before or after the homily Consider a parish Bible Study Small Faith Sharing Groups Staff/Stewardship Team Insert a short lesson on the faith in the bulletin, for example: Why do we genuflect? Organize a Mass Class Organize a Mission with Pastor Stewardship of Faith
The Pastor Begin a daily prayer thanking God for donors by their name Consider sharing your own struggles with tithing Challenge Parishioners Speak about the need to give rather than giving to a need Staff/Stewardship Team Lay Witness State of the Parish Bulletin Updates Promoting Online Giving & Envelopes Stewardship of Treasure
The Pastor How are you communicating? What segment are you reaching? Delegate a communication group Write a note a day for someone. Staff/Stewardship Team Help the pastor reach the churched, lapsed Catholics and the Catholics Newsletter, Websites, social media -- pictures & information Promote the church as a family Keep in mind RELATIONSHIPS! Communications
Stewardship Meets People Where they Are Renews our commitment to love one another Teaches Us to think like Owners We see life through a new Lens We become more aware of our choices We can relate to Stewardship, regardless of our level of catechesis
Male 29 Please pray for my 4 girls Let s Practice Stewardship of Prayer
Additional Resources Thank You
Stewardship of Treasure
What is Stewardship of Treasure? Teaching the Need to Give rather than giving to a Need Tithing Commitment Accountability to the Parish Encouraging Ownership Practicing gratitude for the Gifts we have received -- Pastor, Staff, Ministries and
The Big Picture Option 1 Stewardship of Treasuree Weekend Mailing in November Mailing in December 4 Page Colored State of the parish Report Ask Letter 2 Sided Commitment Card # 9 Return Envelope #10 Mailing Envelope Acknowledgem ent Letter to all Parishioners #10 Mailing Envelope Projected Cost 1.65 Per Family (plus Postage) Option 2 Engagement Letter about Stewardship Mailing in December Projected Cost.70 Per Family (plus Postage) Thank You Letter To All Parishioners for being a parish member Acknowledge & Encourage their Time, Talent & treasure Reaffirm Stewardship with Included Brochure Give Christmas mass Schedule
Option 1 Stewardship of Treasure Weekend State of the Parish Report Communication Report to the Parish Report on the Ministries and their function invitation for parishioners to join the ministries phone numbers and contact information of ministry leaders sacramental, census and financial reporting
Option 1 Stewardship of Treasure Weekend Ask Letter & Commitment Cards Promotes a Family Discussion on Tithing Allows The Pastor To Personally Reach Out to Families Private & Discreet Displays Families Giving Potential proportionate to their income
Option 1 Stewardship of Treasure Weekend Acknowledgement Letter Acknowledges all families;those who made pledges and those who have given anonymously Wishes Families a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year Reaches out to all parishioners a second time Gives the Schedule of Masses & Confessions
Ideas For Stewardship Weekend Have Extra state of the Parish reports at mass and in the office Order Extra Cards to have in the pews Pray The Stewardship Prayer Together as a Parish Consider an altar call...invite Parishioners to Come Up And Give Their Commitment in the Basket Offer the Mass Intentions Up for All Parishioner who Are giving to the Parish Ask Children and Teens to Participate (Have A Jar or basket for them) And Keep this collection Separately Implement A Stewardship Prayer to Pray Weekly
Option 1 Stewardship of Treasure Weekend TimeLine September 12, 2014 Diocese Provides Materials, State of the Parish Report, Ask Le?er, Parish Envelope, Return Envelope, Pledge Card, and Thank You Le?er September 25, 2014 OSV Provides Proofs to Diocese September 26, 2014 Diocese Approves Pieces October 1, 2014 Data File Due to OSV October 21, 2014 OSV Mails (Depending on Stewardship Weekend) October 27, 2014 Materials Arrive in Home this Week (Depending on Stewardship Weekend) November 26, 2014 Acknowledgment Data File Due December 9, 2014 OSV Mails Acknowledgments this Week December 15, 2014 Materials Arrive in Homes
Option 2 Engagement Letter about Stewardship Pastors who have recently moved Start the Process for the following Year Communicati on Prior to the Feast of Christmas Acknowledge all Parishioners
Option 2 Engagement Letter about Stewardship TimeLine October 30, 2014 Diocese Provides Materials, Le?er & Parish Envelope November 7, 2014 OSV Provides Proofs to Diocese November 13, 2014 Diocese Approves Pieces November 17, 2014 Data File Due to OSV December 9, 2014 OSV Mails December 15, 2014 Materials Arrive in Homes
What Does The Parish Need To Do? Step 1 Option 1 Sign Up For Stewardship of Treasure, Option 1 or 2 Option 2 Step 2 Choose A Template For the State of The Parish Report & Begin Gathering Digital Pictures and Short articles from ministry Leaders/Staff Step 3 Work with Glen on Retrieving Data Step 4 Submit Pastor s Signature, Letter Head, Mailing Envelope To Office Of Parish Stewardship & Development Step 5 Approve All Materials Step 2 Submit Pastor s Signature, Letter Head, Mailing Envelope To Office Of Parish Stewardship & Development Step 3 Work with Glen on Retrieving Data Step 4 Approve All Materials Step 6 (Optional) Input Pledges Into Logos Step 7 Submit New List For Acknowledgements
We Can Help! Support In Person, Through the Web and Phone Cande de Leon Sandra Castellanos Julie Rokhol Glenn goldapp Letters, Timelines, State of the Parish, Order Fulfillment Letterheads, signatures, Envelope design, Timelines and State of the Parish Letterheads, signatures, Envelope design, State of the Parish Data Mining, Submission, Formatting and Deadlines