Stewardship Update
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June 2007 Contents for this issue HOSPITALITY IN OUR LIVES QUEEN'S STEWARDS OF THE MONTH THE RANEK FAMILY CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION WHAT SHOULD I DO? IDEAS FOR STEWARDS IN JULY STEWARDSHIP PRAYER CONTACT US |
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| “The biggest disease is not leprosy or tuberculosis, But rather the feeling of being unwanted.” --Mother Theresa |
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| How often in our lives do we leave our comfort zone to share ourselves with others? In this time of instant communication, it seems we spend less time face to face with those around us. It is so easy to end a chance meeting in a store with an old friend with “Let’s get together soon.” Of course, so often we don’t follow through, usually due to busy schedules rather than thoughtlessness. We also have been led to believe that our homes should be pristine and our menu exquisite if we plan to entertain, and how many among us can pull that off successfully? When was the last time you were invited to someone’s home when it didn’t involve a special occasion? Perhaps you were walking through your neighborhood and spotted someone doing yardwork. After killing some time outdoors, you went inside for a cool drink. Of course, someone in the house probably apologized for the mess which you most likely hadn’t noticed. Yet even if you did have to move a pile of laundry off your chair, you probably figured it was a small price to pay for the companionship. Stewardship is our individual response to God’s unconditional love for us. Hospitality is the first pillar in building a stewardship parish. Unless people feel welcome, it is difficult to feel a part of our parish family. We all enjoy a “good morning” when we arrive for Mass every weekend. It is also reassuring when we take the chance of attending a parish event solo and have a stranger invite us to squeeze in at his full table. Yes, we all like to be wanted. We also know that Jesus showed his love for us on the cross. Luckily, most of us won’t ever be called to show our love for others in such a drastic way. However, as stewards, we may have to step outside our personal comfort zone to invite others to join us. Think about it; what’s the worst that could happen if we offered a shut-in a ride to Mass? A new friendship? BACK TO TOP |
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 THE RANEK FAMILY Meet the Ranek family, Jim, Jean, Justin, and Jennifer. They moved from Sioux City to Council Bluffs when Jim’s job brought them here. While Jean and the youngsters stayed in Sioux City so Justin could finish his senior year in high school, Jim came to Council Bluffs with his job. When the family reunited, Jennifer chose Lewis Central High School so she could be in the band and show choir. Another priority for the family was to find a Catholic Church to attend. They asked around about all the churches in Council Bluffs. Part of their decision was based on the fact that Jennifer had not yet been confirmed. In Sioux City that happens in high school. In Council Bluffs it happens in 8th grade. Jennifer would miss it in both places as she was between these grades. Inquiries led them to Father Kirby who said there would be no problem. With her Catholic school background she could go through the RCIA process at Queen of Apostles. The Raneks soon became involved with activities at Queen of Apostles. Everyone in the family has an interest in music which led them to join the choir where they have been a welcome addition. Everyone sings, Jennifer plays the flute and Justin has helped recently with some directing. The family has been pleased with their choice to join Queen of Apostles parish because of the welcome they received and the many opportunities to get involved with parish activities. Look for them mostly at 4:00 mass and whenever a choir is assembled for a special occasion. Jennifer appears often at other masses too. Welcome them to our parish family. |
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On Sunday, June10, members of our tri-parish faith community joined in our third annual Corpus Christi Processesion. This year the celebration began with Eucharistic Adoration at Holy Family. The procession then traveled to Queens. Special altars were set up in the yards of parishoners along the route and prayers and songs were offered at each stop honoring the Lord.
In Octuober 2004, Pope John Paul II urged participation in the procession during the “Year of the Eucharist” However, the beginning of this celebration goes back much further. The festival was inspired by the religious experience of St Juliana (1193-1258), a Belgian nun, who dreamed repeatedly of the Church under a full moon with a black spot. According to legend, the dream was interpreted to her in a vision by Christ. The moon, she said, was the Church’s calendar of festivals and the black spot was the lack of a festival to celebrate the holiest element of the Church - the Eucharist. Juliana shared this with her local bishop, who in 1246 issued a decree for such a festival to be celebrated in his territory. The festival was instituted throughout the Church by Pope Urban IV in 1264. Before that there had been no universal festival to mark the sacrament of the Eucharist. This year, participants listened to scripture, prayed and sang along the route. Young people also witnessed their faith by decorating bikes, strollers and other means of transportation. Informational flyers were also offered to those along the route who just wanted to know what was happening in the neighborhood. Diane Crane, who has participated in the procession every year, brought along her grandson, Daniel. When asked why she keeps coming, she replied, “It is very inspirational. I look forward to it every year.” BACK TO TOP |
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Ideas for stewards in July |
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Teach a child to pray Support the Annual Diocesan Appeal Join the choir Befriend a person in need Forgive someone Thank God for the freedoms you enjoy Attend Mass in a different parish while on vacation Share your gardening bounty with others Sweep the sidewalks of your neighboors Write a letter to a friend BACK TO TOP |
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Almighty and ever-faithful Lord, gratefully acknowledging Your mercy and humbly admitting our need, we pledge our trust in You and each other. Filled with desire, we respond to Your call for discipleship by shaping our lives in imitation of Christ. We profess that the call requires us to be stewards of Your gifts. As stewards, we receive Your gifts gratefully, cherish and tend them in a responsible manner, share them in practice and love with others, and return them with increase to the Lord. We pledge to our ongoing formation as stewards and our responsibility to call others to that same endeavor. Almighty and ever-faithful God, it is our fervent hope and prayer that You who have begun this good work in us will bring it to fulfillment in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen BACK TO TOP |
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Would you like to Nominate Someone for Steward of the Month? Do you have suggestions for What Should I Do? Your ideas for future issues are welcome. Contact the stewardship committee: Queensstewardship@cox.net BACK TO TOP |
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