Parish Stewardship
"A Christian Steward is one who receives God's gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord."
~ USCCB Pastoral Letter on Stewardship
Everything is a gift
It is on this premise the foundation of stewardship is build. Our life, our property, our health, our talents, our money — these are all gifts from God. A "way of life" recognized by our faith means that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God. A "way of life" that says "Yes" to what God has entrusted to you.
This is why we are called to gratefully receive gifts, develop them responsibly and share them with others. Doing so is a response to God's generosity and an expression of our discipleship.
Parish stewardship
Your parish is where stewardship starts. You can give your parishioners opportunities through ministries, ongoing education and resources that provide a deeper understanding of stewardship.
You have the opportunity to help them take a step in their faith journey by saying "Yes" to a lifestyle of stewardship. We are here to help you support them with information and resources to help Catholics in Western Washington become better disciples.
What is stewardship?
When it comes to Stewardship, God is more interested in our heart. Click here for Bishop Schuster’s message on the meaning of Stewardship.
Stewardship is the response of a disciple that is rooted in gratitude for all of God's blessings. It cultivates our prayer life, our life of service and how we share our finances.
Thankfulness is a feeling, but true gratitude is an action. It's the action of giving freely and living out that gratitude on a daily basis by recognizing how blessed we are on a daily basis.
The goal of stewardship is to be a more vibrant witness out in the world. It is not promoted to ensure parish needs are met. Stewardship should engage and energize all Catholics for service — starting with the family and extending to the wider world.
"As a good steward of my parish, I will give back to God with a heart full of gratitude, by prayerfully making a pledge."
Stewardship of Treasure
Parish Financial Renewal typically occurs each fall. During this time, parish communities invite parishioners to prayerfully reflect on God’s generosity in their lives. As faithful stewards of God’s gifts, parishioners are encouraged to return a portion of their financial blessings out of gratitude to the Lord, in support of the Church’s mission and ministries.
Stewardship of Talent
During our Parish Talent and Ministry Renewal, we invite each parishioner to prayerfully consider how God is calling them to serve in the coming year. As part of this renewal, parishioners are asked to complete and return a commitment card, offering their time and talents in service to the parish community.
Stewardship of Time
Parish Renewal of Time is an ongoing initiative that takes place throughout the year, with more attention placed during the Lenten season. It emphasizes a deeper connection to an individual’s spiritual life, primarily through prayer. It also encourages active participation in worship, learning and growing in understanding of the faith, and cultivating a spirit of gratitude for the many blessings we have received.
Stewardship Best Practices Throughout the Year
Effective stewardship is a year-round commitment. By implementing best practices throughout the year, a parish can foster greater engagement and trust within the community. The resources below are intended to support effective communication, transparency, and accountability with your parish community and ensure that the message of stewardship is reinforced throughout the year with greater impact.
Contact
Steve Homiack at steve.homiack@seattlearch.org