Our Pastor Welcomes you! The Very Rev. Alberto Avella y Martinez, VF

Father Avella, Father Keller & Deacon Lujan attend stewardship conference in Wichita, Kansas. Couples from the parish are invited to join and form a stewardship committee. Stewardship committee studies the USCCB document “Stewardship, A Disciples Response.” Pastoral letter on stewardship. Stewardship committee attends diocesan stewardship training. Various initiatives to encourage stewardship formation over the years. Parish workshop on stewardship, Cande and Rosemary De Leon. Parish mission on stewardship, 2015.

 Form a Stewardship Committee  Report to the Parish Council  Evaluate all current ministries  Identify people that make them happen  Give them credit

 Starts with the Parish Priest  Bring in the Parish Council / leaders  Recognize all current ministries and efforts  Teach the basics to the congregation  A deep understanding is a long term goal

 People feel “needed”  People have needs “fulfilled”  They become “stakeholders” of the Parish  “Gaps” appear and people fill them

In some ways it may be harder to be a Christian steward today than at any time in the past…

Jesus’ invitation to follow him is addressed to people of every time and condition. Here and now it is addressed to us – Catholic citizens of a wealthy, powerful nation facing many questions about its identity and role.. Blessed with many human and material resources yet often uncertain about how to use and sustain them.

Jesus not only calls people to him but also forms them and sends them out. “What are you looking for?” “Where are you staying?” “Come and you will see.”

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock…. Everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand” (Mt 7:24,26).

 We must find our vocation, talent, “calling”  Apply our talents  Give due time to the task  Pay attention to your guide, the Holy Spirit

Being with Jesus refers to a manner of thinking, of acting, of loving, of relating to others, of viewing the world. It is a way of talking about our willingness to follow Jesus, to be drawn by his example, to learn from him and to have our loyalties corrected and shaped by his… (William Reiser, SJ).

Although it would be a mistake to think that stewardship by itself includes the whole of Christian Life, in probing the Christian meaning of stewardship one confronts an astonishing fact: God wishes human beings to be his collaborators in the work of creation, redemption, and sanctification.

You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. (Mt 5:13-16)

 A Christian Steward is one who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsibly and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord. “National Conference of Catholic Bishops”; Stewardship A Disciples Response

 Where do I fit in the needs of my Church?  What ministries need me?  What ministries do I need?  Where is the Holy Spirit trying to lead me?  Am I a doer or a leader?  What am I doing in my community?  Where, What and Why! Why! Why!