Stewardship…Step #1
In his letter on a New Season of Stewardship, Bishop Paprocki invites us to consider three questions. The first is, “Am I prioritizing my time with God in prayer and attending Holy Mass, in person or on line?” As I ponder the question, what comes to mind for me is how much of this time I spend in prayer and worship is something I truly want to do and how much of it is simply duty. I think of my parents as they were raising our family. How much did they do for us out of duty or obligation? I am sure there were times they felt overwhelmed or stretched to the limit. I am sure some of the “duties” were unpleasant. Yet, a desire to truly be a part of our lives; to make us a unit bound together by love made the undertaking more than just a priority of obligation. It demanded not just their time and treasure. It demanded their heart. The same is true with prioritizing our time with God. If I am simply giving it out of a sense of obligation or duty, there is no chance for stewardship. Why...because stewardship involves a desire to make God truly a part of our lives, bound together by love. Saying my prayers and worshipping at Mass are important elements of this relationship. However, it will not make me a good Christian unless I am willing to invest my heart. That is what belongs to God and that is what he wants us to give. There are times where such a commitment will overwhelm me. There are times when I will be tired and stretched to the limit. There are times when the “duties” will be unpleasant or inconvenient, but if it is part of relationship rather than duty, it has the power to bring much happiness and peace. It is the way that God loves us. He does not simply care for us “out of obligation or duty.” He wishes to be invested in our lives. Prayer and worship will help us discover this, nurture it, and give it back to God. It is truly the first step to becoming good stewards.
Thanks to all who supported or helped with the 51st Annual Blessed Sacrament Auction. Despite all the challenges the pandemic presented, it will go in the books as our most successful yet. A special thanks goes to Megan Peck, this year’s chairperson, and Kim Hoffmann our development director. It was certainly a job well done.
Father Jeff
What's the story behind your rosary?
I have two rosaries that are important to me. The black one in the picture is the rosary that belonged to my mother’s dad, Raymond Vincent Staskiewicz. It's obviously well used as the beads are worn and the chain feels smooth. When I was younger and stayed with them during the summers we would sometimes pray the rosary together (and enjoy the air conditioned St. Mary’s church next door to their house). When Grandpa Ray died in 1990, his rosary came to me. The second rosary was one made by my wife and son, Vince, as a BSS religion project. (Vince was named after Grandpa.) It is made with twine and glazed ceramic beads they picked out together. When we would visit the adoration chapel or when he was alone, this was the rosary that Vince used, until he died in 2013. Now I use both rosaries to bring me closer to the communion of saints and them in particular. It feels like they are praying with me still.
Daren Perrero
Parish Volunteer