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Stewardship -

          Putting Our Faith Into Action - Doing What "We Believe"

"Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours. Yours are the eyes through which He is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which He is to bless people now." ~ St. Teresa of Avila

Words From Our Pastor I received in the mail recently a "story" about cooperation that spoke to me about Stewardship. Charles Osgood told the story of two ladies who lived in a convalescent center. Each had suffered an incapacitating stroke. Margaret's stroke left her left side restricted, while Ruth's stroke damaged her right side. Both of these ladies were accomplished pianists but had given up hope of ever playing again. The director of the center sat them down at a piano and encouraged them to play solo pieces together. They did, and a beautiful friendship developed. What a picture of the church's need to work together! What one member cannot do alone, perhaps two or more could do together--in harmony. (http://www.higherpraise.com/illustrations/7_cooperation.htm) I was very much surprised when I read this story of cooperation. First of all, I am a fan of Charles Osgood. Secondly, I was happy to make the tie to Stewardship as a Way of Life. This article basically tells us that God calls all of us to ministry. It may be that God has called you to one specific job within the Church. Or, maybe God has called you to a variety of ministries. Whether you are a greeter, PSR teacher, Adorer of the Blessed Sacrament, lector or visitor of those who are sick, do it all for the glory of God as a precious member of the Church. Time - The Gift of Our Action "One of the greatest gifts God gives us is the twenty-four hours of each day. The idea of giving up some of our precious moments can be much more difficult than making a monetary contribution." Woodeene Koenig-Bricker ~ Living Catholic Stewardship Talent - The Gift of Our Ability "For every skill you possess, there is a need somewhere in your family, your parish, your city...if you aren't sure where your talents lie, prayerfully contemplate the corporal and spiritual works of mercy." Woodeene Koenig-Bricker ~ Living Catholic Stewardship Treasure - The Gift of Our Abundance "Make it a point to evaluate your situation and giving...at all times keeping a spirit of gratitude at the fore." Woodeene Koenig-Bricker ~ Living Catholic Stewardship In striving to live out our belief in "the Lord, the giver of life", it may help to keep in mind each of the three main areas of Stewardship: Time, Talent, and Treasure. My hope, as Pastor, is that each of the three areas will allow us to recognize how God has blessed each of us with Time, Talent & Treasure… and how we are called to use those blessings to make our spiritual community strong and vibrant. I encourage each of us as individuals and as families to take the opportunity to assess what we have been given and how we want to give back to others during the coming weeks and months. This giving back to others will formally show to God how we want to live our lives in trust. This will include all the areas of Time, Talent & Treasure… not just a commitment to Treasure. Stewardship is ―A Way of Life and it calls each of us to a deeper level of trust with God. Thank you for your love of God and love of our Church here at Our Lady of the Lake! May our Blessed Mother continue to shower each of us with the abundant blessings of grace which come from her Son, Jesus! May Mary, the first Steward, be an example for all us. May Mary‘s response be our response…† Much Peace, Reverend Rick L. Jones Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake
A Stewardship Prayer Lord, source of all gifts, You call us to be disciples of your Son, to be stewards of all creation. May the hours and the days you give us be filled with faith, with hope, and with love. May the talents, gifts, and graces you give us be spent for growth of self and of church. Help us make the choices that will renew the face of the earth, and will bring us to see you face to face. We ask this through Christ the Lord.   Adapted from the Catholic Diocese of Wichita		Corporal Works of Mercy Feed the hungry Give drink to the thirsty Clothe the naked Visit the imprisoned Shelter the homeless Visit the sick Bury the dead Spiritual Works of Mercy Counsel the doubtful Instruct the ignorant Admonish sinners Comfort the afflicted Forgive offenses Bear wrongs patiently Pray for the living and the dead

 

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