“How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?” - Psalm 116:12
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” - 1 Peter 4:10
We aren’t “owners” of anything, we are merely “stewards” of the gifts that God has given us.
Stewardship isn’t a process, or a campaign, or an accounting of our gifts. Rather, it is a lifestyle rooted in gratitude and generosity.
The whole point of stewardship is to help each other strengthen our relationship with God and get to Heaven!
The foundation of stewardship is prayer – talking and listening to God every day, throughout the day.
Stewardship means putting complete trust in God, in all things.
Stewardship means sharing all of our gifts, especially that one that means the most to you.
By sharing all of our gifts, it helps us keep God first in everything. It helps us live “God-centered” lives and not “self-centered” lives.
Of all the gifts that God gives us, the one he wants the most is our heart. He wants us to share out of love, not out of obligation.
When we align our thoughts and actions with God’s plan and use our gifts in the way God intended, our lives become transformed with Joy, Love, Mercy and Peace!
Each year in January, on Stewardship of Treasure Commitment Weekend, we ask each family to prayerfully review their financial situation and commit to a weekly financial donation to the parish.
In keeping with the biblical meaning of stewardship, we give proportionately from our first fruits – our substance, not just what is left over. As Catholics, we consider the minimum 10% biblical tithe to be: 5% to your parish, 1% to the diocese, and 4% to other charitable causes. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, these financial gifts are multiplied to accomplish countless good works in our parish and community.
Stewardship of Treasure Commitment Cards are provided to all registered families. Your gift of treasure can be made weekly in your parish envelope, or by using Our Sunday Visitor Online Giving, our electronic contribution provider. Annual tax statements detailing all gifts are provided to all registered parishioners.
To sign up for online giving, click here.
Just as important to our Parish is the stewardship of time and talent. Recognizing the busy lives that our parishioners lead, we are especially grateful to those who give generously of their time and talents to further the work of the church. In the fall, on Ministry Fair weekend, we will celebrate the many ways that parishioners use their time and talent to serve the parish and community in the more than 30 active ministries at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. At the Ministry Fair, parishioners can ask questions of ministry volunteers and sign up to serve in a ministry.
To learn more about the many ways that parishioners can give their time and talents, click here for the Parish Ministries page.
Heavenly Father
You call us to be a believing, hoping loving and serving community through the Heart of Jesus, Your Son. Make us stewards of Your gift of life; help us to be life-giving for one another and for all those we serve. Make us stewards of Your gift of faith; help us to be true and vibrant witnesses of Your Good News.
Make us stewards of Your gift of peace; help us model compassion for all to see.
Make us stewards of Your gift of talents; help us recognize and nurture all the gifts we have been given.
Make us stewards of Your gift of time; help us to use our time wisely and well in Your service.
Make us stewards of Your gift of love; help our hearts burn with love for others as does the Heart of Jesus, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever.
Amen
