Intentional Discipleship

Taken from the April issue of The Invitation:

At the risk of losing immediate readership, the topic this month is Stewardship. Let’s face it; the mere mention of this word in church vernacular frequently implies to most of us a request for money, participation in a ministry, or satisfying some other parish need. While there is some authenticity to that understanding, Stewardship as a means of discipleship goes much deeper. It is something we should practice in every facet of our daily life. It is a way of life.

One definition of Steward in the New Oxford American Dictionary is “someone who manages or looks after another’s property.” Most of us usually aren’t called upon to be stewards in this sense, managing or looking after another’s property. We have enough problems managing our own possessions. But therein lays the problem. We have lost sight as to who is manager and who is owner. Our culture is one of entitlement and taking ownership of how we lead our lives and attaining and utilizing our possessions. Christian stewardship, on the other hand, recognizes that all is gift from our Creator and that, not only the use of gifts relating to church donations or activities, but the use of all our individual gifts of time, talents and treasures are to be guided by that Creator. To accept and practice this as part of one’s spirituality is no easy task and requires a great amount of prayer.

Recently, several members of our parish attended a presentation at the Cousin Center given by Tracy Welliver from Liturgical Publications, Inc. Mr. Welliver, a gifted speaker and author, gave a heartfelt and thought- provoking presentation on what it means to practice everyday stewardship, a spirituality the archdiocese and our parish will be focusing on this year. This session was taped and is now available for viewing on the archdiocesan website. It is an hour in length but well worth watching.

Watch the Video