"We have realized that we are in the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other.”
Pope Francis stresses that the coronavirus has put everyone “in the same boat” urging the world to see the crisis as a test of solidarity and a reminder of basic values to comfort and help others as they struggle during this difficult time.
Throughout this pandemic I have seen our parish grow stronger. I have seen so many acts of compassion and kindness. Although we all have not always been able to physically be a family of faith, I have seen our parish family continue to be a spiritual family of faith in any number of ways. Parishioners, staff, and clergy have stepped up to take care of our own during these trying times. It was the support of you, our parishioners that kept our parish running during this challenging time. Thank you!
Now more than ever we need your help. 2022 will be crucial in engaging our parish family. Therefore, with the support of the Finance Committee and the Parish Council I have decided to begin a Stewardship Program here at St. Edward the Confessor. If the pandemic has taught us anything it is that our world is unpredictable. We need to be able to plan for our future while working to bring our parish back together as a family. This Stewardship Program is a more formal process of the good work we have been doing here at St. Edward Church for years. It will help our parish be able to meet the challenges of the new year head-on, creating a stronger St. Edward Church community moving forward.
May good St. Edward bless you, yours, and our parish.
Monsignor Paul P. Enke
Pastor
Stewardship Program:
Time, Talent and Treasure
What is Stewardship?
Stewardship, in its simplest terms, is the act of putting God’s priorities before our own. Good stewards give the first portion of their gifts of time, talent, and treasure to the Lord’s work in gratitude for his many blessings. This practice of giving our “first fruits” incorporates the aspect of sacrificial giving. Jesus Christ is God’s greatest gift to us. Stewardship tells us to share a portion of our time, talent, and treasure so that God’s Gift, Jesus Christ, may be given to those who do not know Him.
Time
A true understanding of stewardship begins with taking care of and sharing the gift of time. We are only given so much time. Planning a careful schedule in order to have the time to work, to rest, to play and to pray is vital in the stewardship of our physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual lives.
Talent
If stewardship means taking care of and sharing God’s gifts, then stewardship of the gift of talent means nurturing, developing, and using the God-given abilities and characteristics that help to define who we are as individuals. Our talents are special blessings that we receive from God. When we volunteer to help others by sharing our talents, we give something more precious than our time or our money.
Every member of St. Edward possesses unique skills and abilities, and these are of utmost value to our community. Our ministries and committees are always in need of the wealth of resources our parishioners can provide. Please consider how you can be involved. How you choose to give of your time and talent is ultimately connected to the reasons for being in this world – we are given time and talent, not only for our good, but for the good of others.
Treasure
We have hundreds of parishioners who give regularly to our church — thank you for your continued support. Our treasure — both money and all the other things we possess — are gifts from God that we are asked to care for and generously share for our own benefit and for the good of others. Our stewardship program is not an additional request for more money, it is merely a more systematic approach to handling the Sunday offertory donations. We are looking to involve more families giving more consistently. The monies which are pledged to the parish during this stewardship program are responsible for the operation of the parish, its ministries, the upkeep of the buildings and grounds and major maintenance plans for the future. A predictable giving rate is critical for the Finance Committee to create a realistic annual budget, to plan for the future growth of the parish, and to maintain the ministries and programs that are vital to our community of faith. This is why we are asking you to make a pledge.
How can I donate – what are my giving options?
To make things convenient for our parishioners we offer several giving options that are flexible and meet their individual needs. St. Edward Church offers the traditional Sunday envelopes, a billing option that provides personal reminders on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. We also offer the opportunity to donate a one-time gift, use stock, or a donor advised fund. But the most convenient and fastest growing method is Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) which allows for donations using your bank accounts or a credit/debit card.
Why should I use Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)?
By using EFT, you can simplify your life and help cut costs at St. Edwards. You can make regular automatic contributions to St. Edward Church using your credit/debit card or bank account, the same process that you use to take care of your most important commitments like your mortgage, utilities, or car payment. St. Edward Church is your home, and it is always your home even when you are away.
We are always here for you. We learned during the pandemic that it is not always possible to be physically in the church. But St. Edward Church needs your support now more than ever. Your electronic donations benefit the parish by providing a predictable cashflow that the parish can count on to pay employees, vendors, fund normal maintenance, and pay for any unexpected needs that may arise.
Electronic giving also saves the parish office time and money. The parish has spent up to $6,000 a year printing and mailing the weekly envelopes. Hundreds of hours are spent processing weekly envelopes. Electronic donations are easily managed and downloaded into your parish record.
When is the Stewardship Program?
The time is now! We decided as a parish it was important to kick-off this program in the beginning of the New Year. This program will run for the next four weeks. This newsletter is the first of many informational materials you will be receiving. Next week in the mail you will receive a letter, a parish guide, an offertory card, and a volunteer card. The parish guide will detail all the various volunteer opportunities. How can you use your talents? St. Edward Church has many ways for you and your family to become part of our spiritual community. Once you have decided how you will share your talents, please indicate this on the volunteer form. Return it in the mail, to the parish office, or in the offertory basket. You will be contacted by the committees/ministries you indicated with additional information about how to become involved. The mailing will also include an offertory commitment card. Please consider what St. Edward Church means to you and your family. Where does it fall into your priority of giving? Please fill out the offertory card, make a pledge and
choose a method of payment. This will enable the parish Finance Committee
to be able to predict a realistic budget for the upcoming year.
We really hope you will consider the Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) method.
EFT allows us to continue to receive your support on a consistent basis
regardless of Mass attendance. So please consider contributing by EFT.
You will hear more information from the pulpit at Mass, by email, in the
bulletin and on the website. Please take these next few weeks to focus
on your parish family by joining us in this important process.
