Stewardship Update
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September 2007
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| Never measure your generosity by what you give, but rather by what you have left. –Bishop Fulton J. Sheen |
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| This month we want to look at the final pillar of stewardship, service. Very often this is the most visible sign of the good steward, and is very intertwined with the other three pillars of hospitality, formation and prayer. It may also be both the easiest and hardest pillar to execute. Adults are ready and willing to donate a cake to a funeral luncheon, but shy away from helping at a homeless shelter. High school students jump at the chance to spend a week in the Caribbean doing mission work, but wouldn’t consider being a hospital volunteer or help at the local boys/girls club the rest of the year. Youngsters love collecting donations for school projects, but sticking up for the ostracized student is usually not on their to-do list. Yes, even the smallest good work is important and very necessary. However, as we become more involved with the stewardship way of life, we need to challenge ourselves. We have been given many gifts and treasures from God. It is our duty to use them for God’s glory and honor. Luckily, we do not have to work alone. As members of the Catholic Church, we are among many stewards. While we may have to overcome our trepidation of going beyond our personal comfort zone, it will be worth the effort. If we are too timid to go it alone, we should not be hesitant to ask a fellow steward to join us. Likewise, if someone asks us to join them, we should accept the invitation. Jesus gave up his life for us on the cross. We may never have to sacrifice that much for others, but couldn’t we do more than we settle for now? BACK TO TOP |
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BILL AND CHERYL PERKINS
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Many parishioners may recognize Bill and Cheryl Perkins as Eucharistic ministers. Bill is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and Cheryl also serves as a lector, helps with the parish nursing program, is a member of the Tri-Parish Council and brings the Eucharist to shut-ins. They have both been intimately involved in the RCIA program, Bill as a participant and Cheryl as a volunteer. Cheryl became involved about ten years ago when Bill had a lot of questions after attending Mass for 30 years. She suggested that he try RCIA to have them answered, but what happened next was not just his conversion but also her “reversion.” “My faith was learned as a child, even though I went to Catholic School for 14 years, I didn’t really know my relationship with God. This opportunity to journey with my husband showed me how much I didn’t know about the Bible, Church Tradition, history , the saints, the Church teachings, Catholic culture..... you get the idea. A child learns the ‘rules’ and ‘punishment.’ As an adult, I learned the Love and Mercy. This process, through the work of the Holy Spirit, opened my eyes and more importantly, my heart to the treasures that were always there just waiting for me to discover and share.” After recovering from a serious illness last year, Cheryl had an opportunity to choose her future plans. “Since the most important thing in my life is to bring Christ to others, I knew getting involved with RCIA was the place, or rather, God’s plan for me.” Bill also was glad to have gone through RCIA. “I feel a part of the parish community. Also I now see how the spirit moves.” Bill also has some advice for other members of Queens, “If you don’t get involved you can’t get the full benefit of being part of the Church community. There are alot of neat people in the parish and the only way to get to know them is by getting active. By getting to know one anther we grow through each others experiences.” BACK TO TOP |
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RCIA TEAM: Front Row – Donna Lear, Beth Wilson, Cheryl Perkins Back Row – Deacon Darwin Kruse, Maureen Kruse, Bonnie Wredt, Bob Boettcher, Father Lazarus Kirigia RCIA is a conversion journey for those interested in learning more about our Catholic faith. These may be people who have not yet been baptized or those who may have been baptized in another faith, but want to know more about Catholicism. This process allows catechumens (those not yet baptized) and candidates (those already baptized) to learn what we as Catholics believe (i.e., Catholic Doctrine, Sacraments, The Creed, Mary & The Saints, Tradition & Scripture, Celebrating the Mass, etc). During this process, they/we hopefully grow closer to God through prayer, by studying and listening to God’s Word, by being able to ask questions and by gradually becoming a member of our Tri-Parish faith community. Weekly meetings each Thursday evening allow us to learn together! In November we will be celebrating the Rite of Acceptance when the catechumens and candidates are formally introduced to our parish community during a weekend liturgy. This Rite of Acceptance is two-fold: they are professing their desire to continue learning while growing in their relationship with the Lord and we (parish community) are letting them know we are here to support them and pray for them as they journey. Each catechumen and candidate is not alone on this journey. Their sponsor (partner) from our Tri-Parish community comes to the Thursday evening meetings too. This person is a ‘bridge’ to our faith community and welcomes and encourages these new members. Their witness and modeling of faith help guide our catechumens and candidates as they journey toward becoming full members at the Easter Vigil. To coordinate these efforts, the RCIA Team works diligently and faithfully throughout this process. Kathy Carlin facilitates this Rite of Initiation process for children. Our tri-parish community can be proud of this RCIA Team. We have a group of dedicated men & women willing to share their faith and help lead our catechumens and candidates to Jesus. What an awesome ministry! And what a gift they are to our tri-parish community! Thanks be to God for them! BACK TO TOP |
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Ideas for stewards this month |
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Volunteer to be an RCIA sponsor Join a parish committee Take communion to a shut-in Serve at a funeral dinner Offer someone a ride to Mass Spend time in prayer Read the Bible with your children Help your neighbor rake leaves Listen to Catholic Radio 88.9 FM E-mail Fr. Chris: reising33@yahoo.com BACK TO TOP |
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My church is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am. Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver. It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I invite and bring them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a church with a noble spirit, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things. Therefore, with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my church to be. 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 |
