Stewardship Matters: Nurturing Our Faith Community
Dear Parishioners,
You can feel the change in the air; not only as the vibrant tapestry of fall leaves start to change up north and the air starts to cool (except for last week), the general feeling at the parish is changing.
There is new energy - New Opportunities- New life. Call it the ‘Killian Effect’!
It is an excellent time to reflect on the importance of stewardship within our Blessed Sacrament Catholic church community. Stewardship is not just about financial giving; it encompasses the entirety of our responsibilities as caretakers of God's gifts. In this month's newsletter, we will explore the biblical foundations of stewardship and how it plays a crucial role in nurturing our faith community.
Stewardship: A Biblical Perspective
1. Genesis 2:15 "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."
From the very beginning, God placed humans as stewards of His creation. Just as Adam was entrusted with the care of Eden, we are called to be caretakers of the world God has given us. This responsibility extends to all aspects of our lives, including our parish.
2. 1 Peter 4:10 "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
St. Peter reminds us that stewardship isn't limited to our tangible possessions but extends to our talents and the grace we've received from God. Our unique gifts are meant to be shared and used for the betterment of our faith community.
Stewardship in Our Parish
Stewardship at our parish is not only a call to support our financial needs but also a commitment to actively engage and contribute to the spiritual growth of our community. Here are some ways we can live out this calling:
1. Time and Talent: Just as we are called to use our gifts, our time and talents can be of tremendous value to our parish. From participating in various ministries, to volunteering for events and activities your contributions can help foster a stronger, more vibrant faith community.
2. Financial Support: While we acknowledge the importance of time and talent, financial contributions are essential to the sustainability of our parish. Your monetary support enables us to continue our mission and outreach, spreading God's love to those in need.
3. Prayers: Prayer is a powerful form of stewardship. Pray for the needs of our parish, our leaders, and our fellow parishioners. Your prayers strengthen the bonds of our faith community and align us with God's will.
4. Outreach: Engaging with our wider community through acts of charity and service is a testament to our stewardship. Let us strive to be a beacon of hope and love in our neighborhood and a missionary to bring friends to the church, just as Jesus taught us.
So much is happening at our parish in the coming weeks. Saints and Sweets will take place on 10/29 and then come November is our annual food drive benefitting SVdP and other organizations serving vulnerable populations. Our second annual ThanksGifting will also take place where our classrooms will be transformed into a mini shopping experience to provide over 100 bags of essential items to those in our area who are struggling. These programs help so many thanks to your continuous generosity.
December will kick off the start of Advent with our Christmas market. Come enjoy fresh food and music while enjoying our wonderful courtyard that will be filled with beautiful craft boutiques along with a business expo and ministry tables. Come, shop and learn about businesses that are part of our parish as well as the many ministries we have available. Our church will be decorated for Christmas which means our Christmas Angel program will be in full swing. We will have another Healing Mass (date is TBD) and Eric Genius will provide an evening of music for us on 1/25/2024. All this plus donut Sundays and pancake breakfast which will be scattered in between.
Yes, something is definitely in the air. It’s our parish community coming back together stronger and better than ever. Perfect timing too since it is our Jubilee year and we are celebrating 50 years as a parish community. Stay tuned for much more to come on this joyful celebration.
Your involvement, whether through time, talent, or financial support, is vital in continuing to shape our faith community into a welcoming, nurturing, and vibrant place for all.
Here are the links to help with our ThanksGifting event and, if you are interested in showcasing your business at our Christmas market click the link below.
ThanksGifting Outreach Nov 19
Volunteer
Product Donation
World Christmas Market Dec 2 and 3
In God's love and grace,
Your Parish Council
As we continue to walk this faith journey together, let us remember the words of
St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:2:
"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
Let us prove faithful stewards of the gifts God has entrusted us.