Prologue: 

    This is the third 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 to guide our parishioners in supporting our parish through prayer, service, and sharing.

Chapter Three: Stewardship of Prayer

    Prayer is about our relationship with God. St. Therese of Lisieux speaks of prayer in this way:  “For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy; finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands the soul and unites me to Jesus.”

    Stewards nurture their relationship with God by having a prayer life.  Whether that is two minutes or two hours a day, listening and responding to God is at the core of the disciple’s life.  At times the prayers will be that of thanksgiving.  At other times, the prayer will be that of praise or petition or forgiveness.  Whether private or communal prayer, the purpose is to stay connected to God so as to do the divine will.

    This dimension of stewardship can be measured to some degree.  Of the 168 hours per week, of the 144 daily ten-minute slots, how much time do we use in prayer? And, of course, the most important prayer of all is the Eucharist in which we hear God’s word and receive Jesus in the Eucharist.  Stewards are Eucharistic people.

 (Taken from “Theology of Stewardship” by Bishop Robert Morneau)

    We are invited to prayerfully reflect on our commitment towards stewardship.  On Saturday January 27 and Sunday January 28 after all Masses except 6:00PM, a Ministry Fair will be held in the MFC.  Over 60 parish organizations and ministries will be represented.  1 Peter 4: 10 says “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve another as good stewards of God’s varied graces.”  Consider sharing your gifts with our St. Matthew community.  (To be continued next week….) [Top]