Stewardship Prayer

Prayer can be used for parish meetings or other occasions when a prayer is needed.

Stewardship Prayer

Almighty and every faithful Lord, gratefully acknowledging Your mercy and humbly admitting our need, we pledge our trust in You and each other.

Filled with desire, we respond to Your call for discipleship by shaping our lives in imitation of Christ. We profess the call requires us to be stewards of Your gifts. As stewards, we receive Your gifts gratefully, Cherish and tend them in a responsible manner, Share them in practice and love with others And return them with increase to the Lord.

We pledge to our ongoing formation as stewards and our responsibility to call others to that same endeavor. Almighty and ever faithful God, it is our fervent hope and prayer that You who have begun this good work in us will bring it to fulfillment in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Source: The Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs

Family Time: Teaching Stewardship to Children

Making Candy Stew

Many people are familiar with the story of “Stone Soup.” In the story a man creates a delicious soup for all his neighbors by starting with a stone in a pot. Each person who comes along volunteers to add another ingredient until a wonderful blend of vegetables, spices and meats is simmering for all to share and enjoy.

The lesson, of course, is that when each of us contributes our humble gift we can make something wonderful. You can teach the same lesson by gathering a group of children and asking each one to bring in a small sandwich bag of different kinds of wrapped candy — like caramels, butterscotch drops, Hershey kisses, etc. Talk about whether each person has enough in their bag to share with everyone (probably not). Also discuss whether it would be more fun to eat all of one kind of candy or to try lots of different kinds. Then provide a large bowl where all the bags can be emptied and stirred together. Now you have CANDY STEW!

While they enjoy the great variety that happens when everyone shares his/her gifts — THAT’S STEWARDSHIP! — you may want to read and discuss St. Paul’s thoughts on different gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 or the story of the Loaves and Fishes in John 6:1-15.

Returning Some of the Candy

God calls each of us to return a portion of our gifts to Him. You can demonstrate this principal by distributing small handfuls of wrapped candy to the children in your group. Do not let them touch the candy until everyone has a share. Purposely give more than enough candy to some children so that you arrange to “run out” before you get to the last ones. Then ask them to reflect on this situation. Is it fair that some get no candy while others have lots? Pass a bowl around and ask the children to return a fair portion to share with those who have none. Compare this to our Offertory. Discuss how sharing can make us feel. Explain that throughout life we will always have more than someone else. Therefore, God asks us to share, or return, some of what He gives us so that we can help others.

"Teaching the Concept of “First Fruits”

Throughout the Old Testament, God calls us to bring Him the “first fruits.” (i.e. Deuteronomy 26:1-4) What exactly does that mean to a child? You can demonstrate the concept with 10 apples. Explain that God asks us to give the first and the best of 10 to Him. That means for every 10 apples, one very nice apple should be given to God. Let the children help pick out the best apple for God. Another way to demonstrate the concept of “first fruits” is to core an apple. Then cut the main fruit of the apple into ten slices. Lay the core and the ten slices out in front of the children. Ask them which piece of the apple they would give to Jesus if He came to share a snack with them. Would they give Him the core? Explain that all God asks for is one of the ten slices. That’s not too much to give Him, is it? Talk about how we give Jesus the core when we don’t give our best or don’t share.

Source – Adapted from Archdiocese of St. Louis Office of Stewardship and Development and the Diocese of Austin, Stewardship and Development Office.

Cultivating a Stewarding Community

Cultivating a stewarding community involves the ongoing formation of attitudes and expectations, practices and habits that offer a redemptive alternative to today’s cultural economy of scarcity.

In contrast to the cultural economy, God's economy is one of shared abundance, ruled by the promise of full and plentiful life lived in community. A church with vision, leadership, and practices reflected in a community of gratitude and generosity offers both Good News and a challenge to the world as it is.

Christian stewardship involves cultivating a church that is shaped by God's economy, and that lives according to God's abundance. Such change requires not a quick fix, but long-term vision. Not a one-time program, but a congregation-wide formation process.

Source: Center for Parish Development

Raising Charitable Children

Stewardship is a life long journey that can begin at any age. It is also essential that parents teach their children to be good stewards of the gifts they have received from an early age. A few resources can help parents share this journey with their children:

"The Giving Book - Open the door to a lifetime of giving," by Ellen Sabin, Watering Can Press, 2004,

This colorful and playful book provides a hands on approach to teaching children about being charitable. Filled with illustrations, projects and approachable activities, parents and children can share, think and experience the foundation of what it means to share with others. The workbook helps make philanthropy fun and understandable for young children and is a wonderful way to bring the important message of stewardship home to families.

"Brother Juniper…the most generous of the brothers" by Diane Gibfried, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2006

Brother Juniper is an excellent choice to open a discussion about generosity. Father Francis of Assisi and his followers are famous for their piety and generosity; but Brother Juniper, who is beloved because he is simple, is the most generous of all. He literally gives someone the robe off his back, even though he is naked underneath (the amusing watercolor illustrations include two images of rear nudity).

One day, he is left alone at the church. When a poor man arrives asking for help, Brother Juniper gives him candlesticks. He offers the golden chalice to a hungry woman with eight children. By the time the brothers return, he has given away the entire church, from the furniture to the walls themselves. The others are so angry that he hides himself in shame. The following Sunday, however, as the friars congregate for prayers, they are amazed….

Raising Charitable Children, by Carol Weisman, F.E. Robbins & Sons Press, 2006

An easy reading how-to guide for introducing children of all ages to charity and volunteering, Raising Charitable Children is packed with practical advice and inspirational, real-life stories of friends and family who have made philanthropy a fun, rewarding part of a child's life.

For more information about these and other resources for families, please contact us.

What is Stewardship? A Diocesan Model

What follows is a model of stewardship from the Diocese of Colorado Springs. Could this model serve as a guide to us of what stewardship could/should look like in the Diocese of Tucson?

Stewardship in the Diocese of Colorado Springs

What does it mean to be a steward?
"God wishes human beings to be his collaborators in the work of creation, redemption, and sanctification; and such collaboration involves stewardship in its most profound sense." (Stewardship: A Disciple's Response, Pastoral Letter on Stewardship United State Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Because we are created in God's image we have the ability to collaborate in the work of creation, redemption and sanctification. This collaboration first took place in the Garden of Eden when God asked Adam to name the animals, tend the Garden, and to partner with Eve. This collaboration continues to this day through Christian Stewardship. Just as Adam and Eve stewarded God's gifts to humanity, we are called to do the same.

As Catholics we are stewards of our Christian Faith. This is a rich and vibrant faith, the deposit of which has been passed down through hundreds of generations and spread throughout the world. Martyrs died for our faith and billions have flocked to it. Through the Eucharist we are united in our call to love and serve.

As men and women, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, we are stewards of the relationships God has given us. Fathers and mothers are stewards of their children who rely upon them for love, education, food, shelter, and faith formation. Husbands and wives are stewards of each other, responsible for each other's salvation. Being a good spouse is being a good steward of God's gift.

As workers we are stewards of the talents God has given to us. Whether you are a computer engineer or a doctor, a lawyer or gas station attendant, God has gifted humanity with the dignity of work. Our daily work contributes to His work of creation and is an echo of his command to Adam to name the animals in the Garden.

As wage earners we are stewards of the treasure God gives us. Responsibility with money is good stewardship, because "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) This is especially important for the times in which we live. We are locked into cell phone contracts, cable bills, and internet service, encumbrances unknown a generation ago. Do we spend more on cell phone contracts than we give back to God?

As members of the community, we are stewards of God's creation. Are we using natural resources responsibly? Are we making our planet a more desirable place for future generations? A responsible sense of the environment is stewardship of God's creation. Are we taking care of each other? Improvement of the community starts with involvement.

What is Stewardship in the Diocese of Colorado Springs? The Diocese of Colorado Springs is a unique place. We are the smallest Diocese in the state but we are very diverse. There are rural and urban communities, rich and poor, young and old, and mountains and plains parishes. Our brothers and sisters speak Vietnamese, Korean, and Spanish, among other languages.

Stewardship in Colorado Springs means that we are united in our call to love and serve. It means that the northern parishes in Douglas County, the rural parishes in Stratton, Kiowa, or Leadville and the diverse parishes in Colorado Springs are united through the Eucharist and share a common mission to love and serve.What opportunities are there for Stewardship within the Diocese?Within the Diocese of Colorado Springs, there are many opportunities to grow as stewards:

Enjoy a vibrant and faith-filled life at your parish
Be a good steward of the relationships God has given to you.
Demonstrate good Stewardship in the workplace
Plant a tree, turn out a light, clean up trash on a hiking trail
Volunteer at your local parish, a local nonprofit, or the Marian House Soup Kitchen

Parish Offertory: There is no better way to support your local parish community than by participating in its offertory. The offertory provides the basic resources needed to operate and serve those within the parish boundaries

Returning God's Gifts Appeal: There is no better way to support the Diocese's mission than participating in the Annual Returning God's Gifts Appeal

Copyright © Diocese of Colorado Springs, All rights reserved.

Question for reflection: What might you do to promote a broader view of stewardship at your parish and the diocese?

Stewardship Observations

Seeking to know, understand and

implement good parish stewardship practices

will result in the long-term, life-long willingness of

parishioners to participate in and to support the mission

and ministries of their church.

Source: The Diocese of Wichita

Quote of the Day

For Where Your Treasure is,
there your Heart will be also,

-- Matthew 6:21

Stewardship Prayer: Serving God from the Heart

O God, I resolve to put You first in my life.
I recognize that You have blessed me
with all that I have and all that I am.

I commit to giving back to You the first portion
of my blessings. Doing so may seem scary at times,
but I hear Your reassurance in Scripture: Do not worry any more,"
and know that I can depend on You.

I resolve to sacrifice when neccessary but always
to do so out of a spirit of sincere love, just as your Son, Jesus did for me.

I humbly accept the challenge to share from my means rather than my excess.
I recognize that being a good steward is nothing more than being
truly Christian. I thank You Lord for blessing me and I trust Your love.

Dear God, I resolve to be generous with my time, talent and treasure,
giving in proportion to the gifts I have received. At times I may fail,
but I pledge to keep trying. In so doing I will confidently live each day
Serving You from the heart.

Source: Diocese of Wichita

Perspectives on Stewardship and Development

Stewardship is a grateful response to God's love. Based in Scripture, all that we are and all that we have flows from God as gift. In turn, we serve as stewards of our spiritual and material gifts and we share these gifts in love of God and neighbor.

Development is the management strategy, within this spiritual relationship, that allows Catholic parishes and institutions to attain their goals through a means of conversion, visioning, planning, public relations and charitable giving concepts.


Source: Diocese of Wichita

Stewardship and Health Care

Follow the link below to an interesting article from O'Meara, Ferguson, Whelan & Conway:

http://www.osvenvelopes.com/portals/0/tgs.html

The article by Dan Conway presents a perspective on stewardship that includes the health of the body as well as the soul.

Evangelization and Stewardship

In various ways, stewardship of the Church leads people to share
in the work of evangelization or proclaiming the good news,
in the work of catechesis or transmitting and strengthening the
faith, and in works of justice and mercy on behalf of persons in
need. Stewardship requires support of the Church’s institutions
and programs for these purposes. But, according to their opportunities
and circumstances, members of the Church also should
engage in such activities personally and on their own initiative.

Source: Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, a Pastoral Letter on Stewardship

Quote of the Day

Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)

Quote of the Day

As a community of people involved in different ministries, do we dare to try to find ways to challenge people to be disciples of Jesus, people of faith, people who will share their gifts with us? Could we not make this the primary commitment in all our ministries by preaching the challenge of faith?

-Archbishop Thomas Murphy

Resources for Parish Bulletins - September 2009

A Stewardship Moment

English Version:

For the weekend of September 5/6, 2009
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. James teaches that those who are poor in the eyes of society
are the ones who have been chosen to inherit the Kingdom
of God. Indeed, we are saved because of our poverty; we are
redeemed out of our need; not because of our material wealth
or achievements that the world finds praiseworthy. St. James
also suggests that we are stewards of others, especially the
poor; and it is how we respond to the poor and needy that will
define our relationship with the Lord. How do we respond to
the less fortunate right within our own parish?

For the weekend of September 12/13, 2009
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. James asks what our love for Jesus Christ can possibly mean
if it does not result in action on behalf of our neighbor. He
suggests that that faith is demonstrated most acutely in care for
the needy, the suffering, and the underprivileged. Stewardship
includes proclaiming the Good News by putting our faith into
action on behalf of others. In what ways have we been willing
to make sacrifices and renunciations for the sake of Jesus
Christ and our neighbor?

For the weekend of September 19/20, 2009
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues to turn society’s idea of greatness
upside down. He teaches that true greatness lies in being
a servant to others; a good steward of our relationships. We
want success, but Jesus defines success differently than we do.
Jesus redefines our notion of greatness and success. How do
we define success? Is our notion of success the same as what
Jesus teaches?

For the weekend of September 26/27, 2009
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. James warns against accepting the standards of the world
and assuming that what is normative in society needs no countercultural
challenge. The temptation to hoard riches and make
sharp bargains at the expense of the powerless is pervasive
because these things are generally done and look respectable
enough. St. James points to God’s judgment on these attitudes
and actions of amassing wealth and comfort at the expense of
others. How might we better stewards of the material blessings
we have been given?

Spanish Version:

Para el fin de semana del 5/6 de septiembre de 2009
Vigésimo Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
Santiago enseña que aquellos que son pobres a los ojos de
la sociedad, son quienes han sido elegidos para heredar el
Reino de Dios. Ciertamente, somos salvados por nuestra
pobreza; somos redimidos de nuestra necesidad; no
por nuestra riqueza material o los logros que el mundo
encuentra laudables. Santiago sugiere también que somos
corresponsables de otros, especialmente del pobre, y es la
forma en la que respondemos al pobre y al necesitado la que
define nuestra relación con el Señor. ¿Cómo respondemos al
menos afortunado dentro de nuestra parroquia?

Para el fin de semana del 12/13 de septiembre de 2009
Vigésimo Cuarto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
Santiago pregunta qué puede significar nuestro amor
por Jesucristo si no resulta en acción y en beneficio de
nuestro prójimo. Él sugiere que la fe es demostrada más
profundamente en el cuidado por el necesitado, el que
sufre y el menos privilegiado. La corresponsabilidad
incluye proclamar las Buenas Nuevas poniendo nuestra
fe en acción en beneficio de otros. ¿En qué formas hemos
estado dispuestos a hacer sacrificios y a renunciar a nuestro
confort en el nombre de Jesucristo y para beneficio de
nuestro prójimo?

Para el fin de semana del 19/20 de septiembre de 2009
Vigésimo Quinto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús continúa revirtiendo la idea de
la sociedad acerca de la grandeza. Él enseña que la verdadera
grandeza está en servir a otros; ser un buen corresponsable de
nuestras relaciones. Nosotros deseamos el éxito, sin embargo,
Jesús define el éxito en una forma diferente de nosotros.
Jesús redefine nuestra noción de grandeza y de éxito. ¿Cómo
definimos nosotros el éxito? ¿Nuestra noción de éxito, es la
misma que Jesús enseña?

Para el fin de semana del 26/27 de septiembre de 2009
Vigésimo Sexto Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
Santiago advierte acerca de aceptar los estándares del
mundo, y pretender que lo que es normativo en la sociedad
no necesita un desafío contracultural. La tentación de
acumular riquezas y hacer regateos ingeniosos a costa del más
débil es persuasiva, ya que estas cosas se hacen y parecen
suficientemente respetables. Santiago señala el juicio de
Dios acerca de esas actitudes y acciones de acumular riqueza
y confort a costa de otros. ¿Cómo podríamos ser mejores
corresponsables de las bendiciones materiales que nos han
sido dadas?

Source: International Catholic Stewardship Council