Many thanks to Mr. Joe Citro of the Diocese of St. Petersburg (Florida, USA) for launching a new website focusing upon the virtue of gratitude to God for blessings received.  Joe tells me that this website is a work in progress, so be sure to check back to see how it grows.   www.gratefulforlife.com

Please follow the link below to learn about my next parish mission, to be held at St. Paul Catholic Church, 3131 Hyde Park Road, Pensacola, FL  32503.

All are welcome to attend.  There is no admission charge.

http://www.stpaulcatholic.net/church/mission.htm

 Here is a little bit of information about the Marian College Center for Catholic Stewardship.  I am honored to serve as its Executive Director.

 Founded in July 2006 through a grant from the Our Sunday Visitor Foundation, the Marian College Center for Catholic Stewardship (MCCCS) seeks to enhance the campus-wide understanding of the value of responsible stewardship, which, along with the dignity of the individual, peace and justice, and reconciliation is one of the four core values of Marian College. 

All programs hosted by and sponsored by the Center are founded upon the vision of stewardship articulated by the US Bishops in their pastoral letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response. 

• “The Christian vocation is…a call to be a disciple of Jesus…[who] calls people to him and also forms them and sends them out in his service.”   
• Stewardship is our response to that call.  It is an expression of discipleship-a way of life, a way of holiness, deeply rooted in the person of Jesus Christ. 
• A good steward is one who is one receives God’s gifts with gratitude; cherishes those gifts with responsibility; shares those gifts generously; and makes return to the Lord, with increase. 

The dominant secular culture presents serious obstacles to the individual and community – both on campus and off-who are committed to a life of Catholic stewardship.  It is essential that those who seek to live such a commitment have an authentic understanding of stewardship and the support to live their commitment. 

Through the Center, the only such center in the world,  we teach stewardship as a way of life to students, faculty, staff, and pastoral leaders both on campus and in the world environment; the Center forms leaders for and is a leader within the international Catholic stewardship movement.

My travels will take me to Tampa, Florida this coming week for the annual Winter Institute of the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC).  Every year since 1997 the ICSC has hosted a Winter Institute, gathering together between 25 – 35 participants.  The purpose of the Institute is to communicate stewardship as a spirituality and a way of life, and to equip participants with the knowledge and tools they need to teach and promote stewardship within their parishes and dioceses.

While it is probably too late to make plans to head to Tampa this week, you are most welcome to participate in the Summer Institute this July in Danville, California.  Details are on the ICSC website

I will give updates on this week’s activities and try to post a few pictures while I am at it.