St. Gregory’s continues its journey to become a Steward Parish. Once again we will spend the next few weeks reading and talking about stewardship on an introductory level. In November, speakers will help us focus on being good stewards of the church. Finally, we’ll have short stewardship readings in the weekly bulletins to help us all incorporate stewardship into our daily lives.
The word “stewardship” refers to the Catholic approach to the gifts that God has bestowed upon us.
• Stewardship is living out a commitment to be Christ-centered rather than self-centered.
• Profound gratitude, justice and love become the fundamental motives for giving back to God.
• Everything that God has given to us is intended to serve the divine plan.
• Therefore, our life is to be lived in gratitude toward God.
In a variety of ways, we as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, share our time, talent and treasure to build up the Church and make our world a better place.
Many understand stewardship as only financial giving to the Church, but as members of our Catholic community it is so much more. While our church facilities can’t function properly without your financial gifts, stewardship is a Christian lifestyle choice.
Three convictions in particular underlie our understanding of stewardship:
1. Mature disciples make a conscious firm decision, carried out in action, to be followers of Jesus
Christ no matter the cost to themselves.
2. 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.
3. 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” (Psalm 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.