Stewardship Tip September 2008

What is your parish doing to promote vocations? And how do you define “vocation”? Often, as Catholics, we think first of vocations “to the priesthood or religious life,” particularly in these times when there seem to too few ordained priests to go around. But the bishops’ pastoral letter on stewardship offers a much broader definition: “Christians are called to be good stewards of the personal vocations they receive. Each of us must discern, accept, and live out joyfully and generously the commitments, responsibilities, and roles to which God calls him or her… Refracted through the prisms of countless individual vocations, [discipleship] embodies and expresses the one mission of Christ: to do God’s will, to proclaim the good news of salvation, to heal the afflicted, to care for one’s brothers and sisters, to give life – life to the full – as Jesus did… Being a disciple is not just something else to do, alongside many other things suitable for Christians, it is a total way of life and requires continuing conversion.”

So what is your parish doing to encourage and support this “ongoing conversion?

Do you provide consistent, well-planned liturgies in which the gifts and talents of the whole community come together in praise and thanksgiving to God?
Are there faith formation programs and events for parishioners of all ages?
Do you offer spiritual direction and provide opportunities for gifts discernment, especially for teens, confirmation candidates and young adults?
Are there readily available times and places for private prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and other devotional practices?
Do you encourage a wide variety of outreach efforts and a consistent call to Christian service?
Do you regularly invite parishioners to assess and deepen their commitment to stewardship?
Do you use the language of gifts and gratitude, service and sacrifice, in your bulletin, newsletter, and Prayers of the Faithful?
Does the parish itself give generously – setting aside a percentage of its offertory income to meet the needs of others?
And are you celebrating the vocations of all – rejoicing in the diversity of God’s gifts and being actively grateful for the presence and participation of all who consider themselves part of your parish family?
Discipleship and good stewardship are contagious. “Preach the gospel,” St. Francis said, “and if necessary, use words.” A parish which demonstrates good stewardship and provides opportunities for ongoing conversion will be a place of grace and blessing where people can readily discern and actively live out their personal vocations for the good of the whole church and the glory of God!

Stewardship Tip September 2008

So what is your parish doing to encourage and support this “ongoing conversion?

Do you provide consistent, well-planned liturgies in which the gifts and talents of the whole community come together in praise and thanksgiving to God?
Are there faith formation programs and events for parishioners of all ages?
Do you offer spiritual direction and provide opportunities for gifts discernment, especially for teens, confirmation candidates and young adults?
Are there readily available times and places for private prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and other devotional practices?
Do you encourage a wide variety of outreach efforts and a consistent call to Christian service?
Do you regularly invite parishioners to assess and deepen their commitment to stewardship?
Do you use the language of gifts and gratitude, service and sacrifice, in your bulletin, newsletter, and Prayers of the Faithful?
Does the parish itself give generously – setting aside a percentage of its offertory income to meet the needs of others?
And are you celebrating the vocations of all – rejoicing in the diversity of God’s gifts and being actively grateful for the presence and participation of all who consider themselves part of your parish family?
Discipleship and good stewardship are contagious. “Preach the gospel,” St. Francis said, “and if necessary, use words.” A parish which demonstrates good stewardship and provides opportunities for ongoing conversion will be a place of grace and blessing where people can readily discern and actively live out their personal vocations for the good of the whole church and the glory of God!