Ways To Get Involved
While we usually only hear of stewardship in terms of Time, Talent and Treasure, the truth is that stewardship involves all of life – body, mind and spirit, our material possessions, friendships, etc. All we are and have is a gift from our Creator for us to use wisely to build up God’s kingdom here on earth.
Stewardship of Time
Most people admit that it’s difficult to find a quiet moment to spend with God. Family and work responsibilities sometimes seem to take up every spare second. Unless we’re good stewards of our time, prayer just doesn’t happen.
To become a more prayerful person, take inventory of how you spend the 168 hours in the week to find which things may be less important than regular prayer.
Participate in Mass during the week whenever this is possible, set aside periods of time for family prayer, personal prayer, reading of Scripture, and visiting the Blessed Sacrament.
Stewardship of Talent
Are you serving in a ministry at St. Peter Parish? With hectic work schedules and family life, we all need time to relax and exercise — but we also need to rejuvenate ourselves through service. Reaching out in love to others, while sometimes difficult, is nonetheless spiritually enriching. In fact, it is a necessary part of our Catholic life.
Perhaps you could become a sacristan, a Eucharistic Minister, or simply serve coffee and donuts at a parish reception. No matter how big or small your contribution, our parish just isn’t the same without you! The best part is, when we serve together, we not only form friendships with one another, but we also deepen our relationship with God Himself. Now that’s stewardship!
Join with other parishioners who are learning to rearrange their schedule to make “first things first” and participate in Liturgy Ministries, Outreach Ministries, and committees and groups. Stay connected, find more information, and get updates about group happenings by finding ministries, committees, and groups that best suit your talent.
All of us have been blessed with various talents, whether we are aware of it or not, or whether we have developed our talents or not. Of course, it is usually not possible to develop all of our talents. But, ideally, we can and should develop some of them and use them wisely to bless the communities we belong to.
Stewardship of Treasure
Have you ever created a family budget? At the top of most people’s list of expenses are big items like the mortgage, car payments and tuition.
Other expenses are food, credit card payments and entertainment. But how about the Church? Does St. Peter Parish have a place in your family’s budget? Throughout Scripture, we are taught to give to God our “first fruits” or the “choicest portion.” In modern speech, we might say that the first “line item” in the family budget should be returning a portion of our income to God. Both symbolically and in actuality, this is a powerful expression of God’s place in your life.
When it comes to financial support of our church family, the biblical ideal is a tithe—or 10%—of one’s income. Our Catholic Church leaders suggest giving 5% to church and 5% to charity. Most Catholics who tithe reach this ideal gradually. In this area of stewardship, one of the most important steps to consider is to become an ‘intentional giver’—as opposed to a ‘loose change giver.’ An intentional giver is one who has the willing diligence to ‘do the math,’ that is, to look at his/her annual income and then prayerfully and intentionally decide what percentage should be set aside for the support of the church and for charity.
Getting To Know Others
Are you struggling to feel a part of the parish? Do you walk into Mass only feeling like your fellow parishioners are passing acquaintances? Tried different activities with no luck? Here are surefire tips to help you feel at home:
Get Active and Involved
The first step is on you; you have to make the effort and be willing to keep trying until you find the right thing. Don’t give up after your first activity or two or three or four are not a success. Keep on, keepin’ on! Showing up at Mass is NOT enough to get to know others.
Choose Small Group Activities
You are not likely to get to know people well by attending big events like concerts, Mass or even being involved in a ministry. While these are all wonderful — and Mass, critical — things to participate in, they are not necessarily the activities that lend themselves to making friends. Select intimate book groups, small committees, small group outings, discussion groups and Bible studies.
Look For Activities That Require Interactivity
Can you help with food prep where you’ll interact with others in the kitchen, go on a volunteer outing to the local food pantry, or participate in a group that requires discussion? This is how you’ll start to become more than just a face to fellow parishioners.
Go On Retreat
Go on retreat or any other outing that brings a group together outside of the parish. If you hear of a retreat you would like to attend, DO IT! And give an invitation for other parishioners to join! Over a retreat, where you spend many hours with the same folks, you’ll develop a rapport and special camaraderie with some of the attendees. Father puts together special functions such as a recent tour of the Cathedral. He is a great source for giving you a place to start looking for retreats and other Catholic functions. Keep an eye on our calendar for other functions to attend.
Learn People’s Names
Once you meet someone, make an effort to commit their name to memory. Whenever you see them or give them peace at Mass, USE THEIR NAME. Make a point to ask them how they are doing, or how the weather is treating them, or how their kids are getting along in school. Continue to break the ice until it’s broken! Plus, everyone likes to hear their own name (that’s an old Dale Carnegie trick).
Finding Your Connection
Please know it’s OK to realize something just doesn’t work and move on to something else. You will hit upon the right thing eventually and the dividends will be marvelous! The Parish Family works the same as a Family Tree, with many, many branches. The important thing is that you look for where you feel connected, where you feel your time and talent is best benefited, and where you feel God is calling you. And He is calling you, just now He called you when you read this!
Stewardship Prayer
Generous and loving God, You call us to be disciples of your Son Jesus and good stewards of your many gifts. Open our minds and hearts to a greater awareness and deeper appreciation of your countless blessings. Transform us through the power of your Spirit to nurture a stewardship way of life marked by faith-filled prayer, service to our neighbor, and generous sharing. Teach us to be faithful servants of your gifts. With Mary’s help, may we return ten-fold the gifts entrusted to us. We pray thorough Christ our Lord. Amen.