Stewardship Update
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October 2007
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| Learning to count is good. But learning what counts is better. |
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| As any parent can tell you, children want to grow up. They like to talk like the adults they admire, sometimes to our dismay. They want to help us make dinner or help with repairs. Often, free time leads to their own version of the grown - up world. Many parents today want to help their children be successful. A quick look at the educational sections of toy departments assures us that by spending more we can insure our children’s success. If we can only get our children on youth competition teams, they will surely be a shoo-in for a future college scholarship. Yet, how often do we shun our youngsters help because we are too busy to be bothered and we know many tasks would be more easily done by ourselves? Who says that preschoolers can’t join in the fun of a game of “Let’s sort the family’s laundry?” or “How much silverware do we need for dinner?” Children realize they are part of the family and relish the thought that they are an integral part of its success. In the same way, we should remember that children are also a part of our faith family. It may be as simple as lighting a votive candle at church and teaching our children to pray for others. We may also allow them to prepare their children’s tithing envelope at home and then present it alongside ours at the offertory. We may let them help us prepare for parish functions to the best of their abilities. We may also encourage them to become servers, lectors, and Eucharistic Ministers as they mature. We all know practice makes perfect,yet how many of us have resisted the urge to straighten the covers of a bed which has been so proudly made by a toddler? We also delight when our youngster begins to share toys with others. Of course, every parent has experienced the great love of a spontaneous hug. Yes, children want to give. They want to help. It is part of being a member. They are inately stewards. Children are also one of our greatest treasures from God. As adult stewards, we should not forget to nourish them so they do not become discouraged and help them to develop into stewards for life. BACK TO TOP |
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JACOB GEIER
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When you think about what an eighth grade male enjoys as a pasttime, football, basketball, track or baseball comes to mind. While Jacob Geier does participate in all these things, he doesn’t stop there. A lifelong member of Queens, Jacob has been an altar server for a few years. When asked why he joined this ministry, the down to earth young man admitted, “My mom signed me up.” He then added that he is happy that she did since “ you get to participate a lot more in Mass, not just standing and sitting down.” However, Jacob is also known for his creative talent of making rosaries. He credits his fourth grade teacher for introducing him to the craft when his class made rosaries as a project. When he showed it to his mother, she was impressed and he discovered a calling. He started by making them for his family as Christmas gifts. His aunt began to spread the word and Jacob figures he has made about fifty rosaries so far. Some of the rosaries have been given to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Micah House and were included in their fundraising auctions. Jacob was pleased when they often sold for about $150 each, but was surprised with one going for $500 after he was introduced as the designer. While helping these organizations is important, Jacob stressed that there are three rosaries which meant a great deal to him personally. One was given to a fellow student who was going into the hospital. A second went to a karate teacher. The third was given to his father. All three recipients were battling cancer at the time, and he is happy to report that all three are still alive today. This honor roll student also participated in the city-wide Leadership Academy. He is looking forward to helping with service projects with this group as well as taking part in Confirmation preparation. Jacob understands the importance of stewardship and heartily recommends other young people to step up, get involved and make a difference. BACK TO TOP |
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The Children’s Liturgy is an important part of our faith formation at Queen of Apostles. Laura Carley and Ray Eischeid exemplify the meaning of Stewardship through their service by offering time to teach our young children the Word of God. Ray and his wife Julie have been members of our parish for over 30 years. Besides the work Ray does currently with the Children’s Liturgy, he is also a member of the Knights of Columbus. In the past, Ray has acted as the Treasurer for the Regional Pastoral Council. Laura has attended Mass at Queen of Apostles for as long as she can remember. Laura and her husband Rob have been married for 12 years and have three children Emily, Megan, and Jack. Rob joined our parish and was part of the RCIA program. Ray and Laura have been helping with the Children’s Liturgy for the past 3 years. Laura appreciates helping with the faith formation because she feels extremely rewarded working to help develop the children’s understanding of our religious faith. She wants the children’s religious educational experience to be a memorable one. She also enjoys working with her father in teaching about the readings. Ray has been inspirational in her religious learning. Laura takes something away from her Stewardship, she learns more about our faith by helping others. Laura is also involved in teaching religious education in our community. She looks forward to helping others understand our faith. Ray likes assisting with the Children’s Liturgy because he believes the children’s religious learning should start out at an early age. He feels that teaching the children makes him focus on the readings which strengthen the impact of the message. He also loves the time he gets to spend with his daughter and grandchildren. Stewardship provides a sense of completeness to Ray by helping him understand his faith. The Children’s Liturgy is Sunday at the 11 AM Mass. Please take an opportunity to thank Laura and Ray for their service with this ministry. BACK TO TOP |
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Ideas for stewards this month |
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Share Halloween candy with Fr. Dan & Fr. Lazarus Watch Veggie Tales with your family Say a family rosary Read about your patron saint Encourage youth to attend CYC camp Join the children’s choir Pray for deceased loved ones Help with Thanksgiving baskets Do family chores without complaining Pray for our parish in your evening prayers 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 |
