Stewardship Update

When your brother is troubled
You got to reach out your one hand for him
‘Cause that’s what it’s there for
And when your heart is troubled
You got to reach out your other hand
Reach it out to the man up there
‘Cause that’s what he’s there for
~~Neil Diamond~~

In February Queen of Apostles held its second annual Stewardship Fair. Participants found new and exciting ways to participate in parish and city-wide activities. Questions were answered, programs explained, and volunteers enlisted. Organizations are in the process of acquainting new members, and our parish is richer as a whole.
As we settle into our responsibilities, it is time to look forward to how we would like to grow this year. The seeds of stewardship were planted at the fair and now we need to nourish them to bring forward fruit. . There are marvelous opportunities for folks to get involved at Queens, however, sometimes people feel detached or unsure if they are truly welcome at events. Therefore, this year the stewardship committee would like everyone to consider the stewardship pillar of hospitality as we go through 2008
If you did not attend the big band dance in March, just ask around and you will realize that the band was not too loud to stifle conversation, people danced and switched partners so that even those who didn’t come as a couple weren’t left out, and no one cared if you had two left feet! Most stayed until the end of the evening, and even then, people didn’t rush out. New friendships were made and we left with a greater feeling of community.
Soon we will have our Christ Renews His Parish weekends for adults. Plans are already in the works for the Family Fun Day in June. We also love to join together for the Parish Auction and Lenten Fish Fries. However, let’s not limit ourselves to these big events when considering how we relate to the parish community.
Let’s think about giving a hand to Queens. We already are used to giving our neighbors our hand to shake at the Sign of Peace during Mass. If you encounter an unfamiliar handshake, perhaps this is the year that you become familiar with its owner. If you notice that a handshake that you are used to embracing is missing from Mass, maybe you could take the time to see that all is well with its owner. We all know people who no longer participate in the parish: while some have grave concerns, others may just feel that no one even notices that they are missing. A phone call, a card or even a smile and a handshake may be all that is needed.
Yes, we see many smiles as we look around Queens. The opportunities for fellowship are numerous. If you haven’t joined in yet, know that you are welcome. If you are active, personally invite others to join you. Our parish is on the road to bigger and better things and deserves a big hand from everyone.

Lois O'Gara

by Deacon Jean Plourde



As you and I prepared for the Season of Lent, we reflected on ways to reach out to God’s people. On ways to grow into witnessing to Jesus...The answer comes by our personally encountering Christ in prayer and opening ourselves to recognize him in our own and others’ good works. We cannot know someone whom we have never encountered. Christ is present to us in many ways. Gospel living means that we too live so others can see the fruit of our good works. In this way Christ becomes incarnate in the world, each and every day. At GABRIEL’S CORNER CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER, located in the MIDST OF OUR COMMUNITY... women experiencing unexpected pregnancies are given HOPE. With gentle hands and warm hearts, our counselors recognize the importance of this theological virtue, and so often bring HOPE, to those who have no hope, to those in despair...,who often feel helpless, alone, unsure of their future. Lent is a time for giving HOPE.
Pope Benedict in his recent encyclical, “SPE SALVI”, which means “SAVED BY HOPE”, reminds us all, that we have indeed been saved by hope, and that each of us share the responsibility of bringing this hope to others. In this encyclical, the Pope critiques modern Christianity for its “selfish search for salvation”.

The Pope writes:
“How could the idea have developed that Jesus’s message is narrowly individualistic and aimed only at each person singly?
How did we arrive at this interpretation of the “salvation of the soul” as a flight from responsibility for the whole, and
How did we come to conceive the Christian project as a selfish search for salvation which rejects the idea of serving others?”

The Pope goes on to say that our relationship with God, through Jesus draws us into “being for all”, and commits us to Live for others... In support of the Pope and his encyclical, in support of Gospel Living, and in particular, in support of the Gospel of Life, our HOPE at Gabriel’s Corner is that more people will recognize the value in serving others, and in the on going need of supporting this very important ministry, of service to pregnant moms, and their unborn children. We at Gabriel’s Corner are committed to changing this current “Culture of Death” with its crisis of hope, into a “Culture of Life”. We firmly believe that Jesus’ ministry is made concrete and visible in what he actually accomplishes through us, here at Gabriel’s Corner, one person at a time. I take this opportunity to invite more people to exercise their Stewardship, by giving of their time, talent, and treasure, in support of this ministry. It is my fervor that as a Catholic Community, we will be unified in embracing the teachings of the Church on the values of life, love, and sexuality, rejecting abortion, contraception, and other methods endorsed by secular agencies that contribute to the moral decadence of our society. It is my HOPE that as we persevere through the discipline of Lent, and enter into the joy of Easter...we may continue to work toward unity, among ourselves, and with like-minded brothers and sisters, of other faiths, who are unwavering in affirming life. May we aspire to serve Him... who is the Resurrection and the Life... the HOPE for all people....
For more information check out
Gabriel's Corner

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