...a way of imitating the Lord Jesus in His generous self giving. Jesus came to do not His own will but that of His Father's, He came not to be served but to serve, He came to give everything that He had to give on the cross so that we might have life and have it to the full.
Stewardship is a way of holiness, a concrete way of imitating the Lord in our every day lives.
“The Church Engaged” website features today a post that links to an important paper on how parishes can survive these difficult economic times.
I am grateful for the invitation to participate in last weekend’s Conference for Religious Educators of the North Region of the Diocese of Lafayette (Louisiana, USA), held at Our Lady of the Angel’s Catholic Church, Opelousas, Louisiana. Pictured with me is Msgr. Robert Romero, pastor of St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas (center) and the bishop of Lafayette, the Most Rev. Michael Jarrell.
The conference participants were enthusiastic and receptive in learning about the Spirituality of Stewardship, especially in how it relates to the recognition of the gifts of talent that the Lord so generously bestows upon each of us. I discussed with the group the ways in which one can recognize his or her own talents, with a special focus upon the Clifton StrengthsFinder instrument. Many of the participants purchased a copy of the Catholic Edition of Living Your Strengths and told me that they were looking forward to learning more about their God-given talents. (See the bottom of this webpage for more information about Living Your Strengths).
If you are in Acadiana and would like to participate in a similar conference, please mark your calendar for Saturday, February 28, 2009. I will be speaking in Mire, LA at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. You may contact Janeth Harrington for more information: 337-258-0073. The public is welcome, the registration fee is $5.00.
I am enjoying the warm Florida sunshine and the even warmer St. Paul Catholic Church hospitality during my mission in Pensacola. The pastor, Fr. Doug Halsema is shepherding a remarkable parish through an exciting time in its history. On August 28, 2008 the new church building was dedicated, replacing a temporary church that had served the parish for decades. The church is a magnificent work of architecture, incorporating elements both old and new in its gothic-inspired design. Here are a few photos, but they do not do justice to this church.
It is 40 yards from the front door to the tabernacle, evoking the 40 years of pilgrimage through the desert.
The windows in the sanctuary are from the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Oakland, CA. The cathedral was destroyed by the 1989 earthquake.
The ambo depicts Saints Peter and Paul (front) flanked by the 4 evangelists. It is made from mahogany and maple. When you get into this pulpit you better have something to say!
Christ, the Good Shepherd. The window is from Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Philadelphia. The church was closed when the parish clustered with another parish in 2005.
Another window from the cathedral in Oakland: The Institution of the Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of the life of the Church.
Mark Hoggard of St. Therese Catholic Church in Chesapeake, VA and the Marian College Center for Catholic Stewardship are co-sponsoring a “Summit on Engaging Parishioners, Revitalizing Staff and Developing Pastors as Leaders” on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Richmond (Virginia, USA). This Summit is an ideal opportunity to learn more about the stewardship of the human resources of our Church. Parishes that pay attention to the dynamics of engagement find themselves with an abundance of fiscal and human resources. They also experience no small amount of spiritual renewal. If you are in the area please consider attending this important event.
All are welcome to this Summit regardless of denomination or affiliation. Click on this link to see the Summit brochure (PDF). Click here to register.
The Diocese of Rockford (Illinois, USA) has long been a leader in the stewardship movement. Their stewardship website is a great resource for all who are interested in promoting stewardship as a way of life. In particular, you will be interested in the Eight Characteristics of a Stewardship Parish.
Many thanks to Dave Hougan, Bob Pfundstein and Greg Urban for their great work for the Diocese of Rockford and the wider Church.
Please remember in your prayers the soul of Michael Dubriel, Director of the Office of the New Evangelization and Stewardship for the Diocese of Birmingham (Alabama, USA). I have known him since college days and have long admired his commitment to the Catholic faith and dedication to his family. Michael died yesterday quite unexpectedly and is mourned by his wife Amy and two young sons. May he rest in peace.
http://amywelborn.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/michael-dubruiel/
My friend Angel Viloria keeps a lovely blog on her experiences of stewardship. Angel is a talented writer and her insights are always fresh and inspiring. And Angel reminds us that stewardship is a way of life, a practical spirituality that is spreading rapidly around the world. Angel is a leader in the stewardship movement that is gaining ground in the Philippines where she makes her home with her husband Manuel and her children Andre Miguel and Angela Gabrielle.
Enjoy one of her recent posts:
Note: The Book Launch for Mom’s A Stewardess was held last July 9, 2008. Part of the program was a Message from the Author. I had meant to write out my message in full, but due to time constraints, I ended up just scribbling my main points and just speaking spontaneously from there. With this blog entry, I hope to document more completely, what I had intended to say:
Good afternoon everyone. First of all, I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to come to this book launch. I also would like to thank Claretian Publications for publishing the book, for organizing the launch, and to Monsignor Dan Sta. Maria, parish priest of Christ the King for doing the invocation and to Fr. Dan Mahan, for that nice introduction.
We have a captive audience here of individuals who are attending this Stewardship Training organized by Claretian Publications. We likewise have my family members, relatives, and friends who are here to share my joy on this happy occasion.
As Fr. Dan said, by profession, I am a credit person. In terms of activities, though, it is really writing which I enjoy and I will always find ways to write even as I go about my daily duties and responsibilities.
View more photos…This book is about stewardship as a way of life. With stewardship, we recognize that nothing we have is ever really ours. It also talks about the four characteristics of a steward. A steward’s life is marked by gratitude, responsibility, generosity, and giving back to the Lord with increase.
This book is also a year late and 19 years early. You may find that statement pretty strange and confusing but let me explain. Since some years back, I had always told myself that I should be able to write a book by the time I’m 40. It did not happen. Today, I am 41.
When I attended the Spirituality of Stewardship Retreat in Tagaytay in August 2007, Fr. Dan had told me after some sharing that we had during the retreat that I should write down my thoughts. I told him that I did write down my thoughts and that maybe, I will write a book when I’m 60. To that, Fr. Dan replied: “You don’t need to wait until you are 60!” So now I have a book at 41, 19 years early.
I believe that any experience in life teaches us valuable lessons. Writing a book is no different. There were several lessons that I picked up throughout the book writing process but let me single out the three most important ones. And they all begin with the two words DO NOT:
1. Do not underestimate the power of encouragement: Fr. Dan’s words during my 2007 retreat really started the ball rolling in terms of conceptualizing the whole book.
Another person who encouraged me to write (or should I say, coerced me to write) was my mother. Every time we would go on a trip when I was younger, she would force me to bring a notebook and write down and describe everything that we saw or did. I did not like it at that time but after several years, I suddenly discovered that I had already started to enjoy writing. I was no longer doing it because my mom told me so but because I wanted to.
2. Do not underestimate the power of the written word: The written word can enlighten, influence, educate. It also has the power to make things come true and set things in motion. When I took a break from corporate life in 2006, I actually wrote in my other blog that “I wanted to live until 100 so that I could eventually publish a book.” After that, I promptly forgot what I had written but since I probably believed it when I had written it down, the part of publishing a book, finally came true.
It is my hope that through this book, I will get more people to think like stewards and stewardesses. I read Fr. Dan’s book, More Than Silver or Gold and it has changed my own view and understanding of stewardship for the better.
And the last and most important lesson:
3. Do not underestimate the power of God: This book is a clear example of how God can work things out for you if it is according to His will. I have always wanted to write a book but never had any concrete plans of actually accomplishing it. In my 41 years of life, there are things that I planned which did not happen and there are things that happened, which I did not plan. But as I look back and as you will read in the book, you and I can only plan so much. And when things don’t go the way we want them to, we should realize that there is a better way or a lesson to be learned somewhere.
I like to travel. In this book, I liken life to a journey and we know that when we ride a plane, the steward or the stewardess will be on hand to make our trip more comfortable. That is what I mean by being a steward and stewardess. We must be of service to others. We must make their lives more comfortable.
We take many trips through life. Some trips may be as short as a few steps. Other travels may take a lifetime. But the road to Our Father’s house can be just less than three liters of unleaded gasoline away…Read the book, and find out how today.
Thank you very much.
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
Frs. Jaime Hinojos and Jim Beresford studying
Franciscan Center, Tampa Florida. Home of the 2009 ICSC Winter Institute
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.
Since 1996 I have had the privilege of speaking about stewardship throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and the Philippines. I am convinced that stewardship is a way of life and a way of holiness that has great power to renew our hearts, revitalize our parishes and transform the world.
I hope that you enjoy the thoughts and reflections on these pages. Your comments and ideas are most welcome, for we learn from one another on our earthly pilgrimage.
May God bless you always,
Fr. Daniel J. Mahan
Marian University Center for Catholic Stewardship
Indianapolis, IN USA
Here are two great books that will be tremendously helpful in the life of your parish.
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