Stewardship is not simply a Catholic buzzword. Stewardship can be summed up by a line of Scripture from First Peter: "As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace" (1 Peter 4:10). As Christian stewards, we are to receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly with others, thus returning these gifts with increase to the Lord. Jesus speaks of the "wise and faithful steward" (Luke 12:42-48). And with the parable of the talents – God expects us to use the gifts he gives us for good – and if we don’t, even what we have may be lost (Matthew 25:14–30).

Stewardship can be considered in three parts: Time, Talent and Treasure.

Time

Time, first and foremost, is about our relationship with God. Every relationship requires time to be given for friendship and trust to grow, so we must give quality time for prayer if we are to grow in love and knowledge of God. Prayer and the Sacraments are the two main ways of receiving God's grace.

Personal Prayer:  The usual way of growing in relationship with God is through daily personal prayer.  For example:

• Make a morning offering
• Pray before and after meals
• Speak to God briefly at moments throughout the day
• Set aside a specific period of time for prayer each day
• Devotions like the rosary or praying with the Scriptures
• Examine your conscience at the end of the day
• Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament

For more on Prayer.

Sacraments:  Jesus instituted the seven Sacraments as moments of specific grace.  Some of the Sacraments are received only once (Baptism, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders), while some are received many times, either in our regular faith practice (Eucharist and Reconciliation) or in times of special need (Anointing).  For example:

• Participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each weekend.  See our Mass Schedule.
• Keep the Lord's Day holy by abstaining from unnecessary work on Sunday
• Confess your sins at least once a year, though more often is encouraged, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation
• Call upon the Holy Spirit for his outpouring of the seven-fold gifts bestowed upon you through Confirmation
• Married couples can ask the Lord for the graces promised to them through Matrimony

For more on the Sacraments.

Talent

God has given each of us unique gifts. These talents are not just for ourselves. They are meant to be used for the good of others.  Prayerfully consider how God might be calling you to give back to him and your neighbor - in our family, parish, and wider community.  We may be called upon to serve in various areas of parish life, parish organizations, or ministries related to our liturgical worship.

There are many different ways to join fellow parishioners in using your talents to serve God and others in Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes.  Find these on the Ministries and Groups page.

The Spirit also has given gifts, called charisms, that are unique to each individual person. Whether we realize it or not, every single one of us has received unique charisms from the Holy Spirit that have been given to us, so that we can give them away. Charisms by their very nature are evangelizing; we are to use them so others may meet Jesus.  Learn more about Charisms.  Learn more about the Evangelizing efforts of Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes and how you can participate.

Treasure

For Christians, money is never our final goal; heaven is our final treasure. Thus, our financial support has spiritual effects, both for the one who gives and for those who benefit from the gift. Sacred Scripture teaches us to tithe. "A tenth of all you produce is the Lord's and it is holy" (Leviticus 27:30). The purpose of tithing is to teach us to always put God first in our life (cf. Deuteronomy 14:23). "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce; Then will your barns be filled with plenty, with new wine your vats will overflow" (Proverbs 3:9-10).

Do we give from whatever extra we may have, after all other needs and wants are taken care of, or do we look at it from the way God calls us to do: to give the first 10%, not the last 10%?  He asks for the first fruits, not the leftovers, of our time, talent, and treasure. That’s how we "repay to God what belongs to God" (Mark 12:17).

Prayerfully consider giving from your first fruits. Our 10% return to God may be divided as follows:

• 5% to charities of your choice.
• 4% to your parish.  Donate Online.
• 1% to your diocese.  Give to the Archbishop's Annual Appeal.

Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes strives to be transparent with your generous financial gifts.  Lay leaders of each parish's Stewardship Council help advise and monitor parish finances, weekly financial updates are published in the bulletin, and an annual report is given in the Fall.

Thank you for your generosity in your time, talent and treasure!