Prologue:

  This is the twentieth in a series of articles that will be appearing in the Sunday bulletin over the next several weeks. These articles are designed to help our parishioners understand what stewardship is all about and guide our parishioners

  The following is from TO BE A CHRISTIAN STEWARD: SUMMARY OF THE U.S. BISHOPS’ PASTORAL LETTER ON STEWARDSHIP. This summary is found in the last chapter of Stewardship a Disciple’s Response, A Pastoral Letter on Stewardship. First published in 1993, the Pastoral Letter from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops addresses Stewardship in chapters entitled the Call, Jesus’ Way, Living as a Steward, Stewards of the Church, and The Christian Steward.

TO BE A CHRISTIAN STEWARD: SUMMARY OF THE U.S. BISHOPS’ PASTORAL LETTER ON STEWARDSHIP

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Pt 4:10)

   What identifies a steward? Safeguarding material and human resources and using them responsibly are one answer; so is generous giving of time, talent, and treasure. But being a Christian steward means more. As Christian stewards, we receive God’s gift gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others and return them with increase to the Lord.

• Chapter 15: Disciples as Stewards

• Chapter 16: Stewards of Creation

• Chapter 17: Stewards of Vocation

• Chapter 18: Stewards of the Church

• Chapter 19: Obstacles to Stewardship

• Chapter 20: A Steward’s Way

   The life of the Christian steward models the life of Jesus. It is challenging and even difficult in many respects, yet intense joy comes to those who take the risk to live as Christian stewards. Women and men who seek to live as stewards learn that “all things work for good for those who love God” (Rom 8:28).  After Jesus, we look to Mary as an ideal steward. As the Mother of Christ, she lived her ministry in a spirit of fidelity and service; she responded generously to the call.

    We must ask ourselves: Do we wish to be disciples of Jesus Christ and Christian stewards of our world and our Church?

    Central to our human and Christian vocations, as well as to the unique vocation each one of us receives from God, is that we be good stewards of gifts we posses. God gives us this divine-human workshop, this world and Church of ours.

The Spirit shows us the way.

Stewardship is part of that journey – a way of life through prayer, service, and sharing. [Top]