What else do I take for granted? Honestly, there is so much I assume will be available for me, as always: good health, true-blue friends, a vibrant, faithfilled Catholic parish, a country of principled liberty and justice for all. I have assumed so much, and all too often, I have forgotten to give thanks to the Giver of all gifts. How are we to remember all of our blessings?
When y’all hear me mention stewardship, some of you, in knee-jerk fashion, begin to feel around for your wallet! In the minds of all too many Roman Catholics, stewardship = they’re lookin’ for more of my money. NO! It’s not about opening up your wallets, but about opening up our minds and our hearts to the life of God at SJN… in the here and now.
Stewardship is a way of life for the disciple of Jesus. Knowing that we have been given every good gift, we are called by the Giver of those gifts to manage them well, to steward the gifts in gratitude and in faithfulness. To steward, to manage the gifts of God… what does this mean?
Everything that you have been given and everything that you have endeavored to work for… comes from above…from beyond your limited sense of control. This is the message of the Lord Jesus. Our response to this message? First, we are to give thanks (and not assume the gift as “natural”). Then, after giving thanks, we are called to give back...according to the plan of God…to give back generously, as we have received prodigally. Give back a portion of each day, in the time you share with another. Give back, in the way you share the talents you have with those in need of those specific talents. Give back from the first fruits of your labor, in the treasure you offer for the work of God.
Please follow me in giving the first 5% of your income to our parish, then the next 1% of your income to the 2008 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, then the next 4% to our renewed Capital Campaign, as we begin Building a Legacy of Faith…for us and for all that will follow us: paying for and constructing a new worship space, a hall for fellowship, and meeting rooms for sharing our faith, our hearts.
In faith-filled discipleship: 5 + 1 + 4, all for the greater glory of God (AMDG).
Msgr. David
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St. John Neumann Preschool is currently registering students for the 2012-2013 school year. Children need to be two or three by September 1, 2012. If you would like your child to be in a loving and caring Catholic environment that provides a fun and enriching hands-on program, please contact Marti McLeer at 770-833-0404.