2012 Stewardship - Letter from Fr. Joe

Dear Friends,

As people of faith, we are called to share our time, talent and treasure as we express our gratitude to God for blessings we receive. Our Annual Stewardship Campaign provides the opportunity to reflect on our personal role in supporting God’s work through the ministries of our parish home, Saint Thomas More Catholic Community.

The goal of our 2012 campaign, Stewardship: A Way of Life, is to raise the number of pledges we receive to 50 percent of the community. Literally hundreds of people receive spiritual and physical nourishment each year through our parish ministries. Being an urban church with large and varied ministries to our community and neighbors, we rely on and need the support of our members and friends to help us provide for those we serve (see the enclosed Parish Stewardship Accountability Report).  Each ministry has direct expenses for programs. The leadership of our pastoral staff, school staff and basic necessities of light, heat, maintenance and administrative infrastructure are essential to our Community’s ministries. Our staff, administration and building expenses are allocated to each of our programs based on the time and resources those ministries require (see the enclosed Summary Income and Expense Report).

The time, talent and treasure of every individual are essential to the ministries at Saint Thomas More. If you are looking for a place to volunteer for the first time or seeking a new opportunity to share your talents, be sure to visit the Ministry Fair following all the Masses on October 15 and 16. Our ministries depend on the gifts of your time in prayer, your talent, and your financial support.

Your pledge is a prayerful decision made through reflection on the role of Saint Thomas More Catholic Community and its ministries in your life and on your personal and financial priorities. You are here because the ministries of Saint Thomas More make a meaningful difference in your world. Whether you are pledging for the first time or renewing your financial commitment to Saint Thomas More Catholic Community the following are some thoughts to consider: How do I interact with the Church? When I consider my financial situation what is the “fair share” of the abundance I’ve been given? Considering other uses of your money – your daily coffee, gym membership, theater or sporting tickets, winter vacations – where does Saint Thomas More fit into those priorities?

Stewardship begins with an understanding of who we are as Christians – as disciples of our Lord, Jesus. It is the acknowledgement of God as the Creator, Owner of all, and the recognition of our need to serve as stewards of all of God’s gifts. Our gratitude for these many gifts can be expressed through our prayer, worship, offerings and action. Christian Stewardship is actively returning to God a portion of the many gifts – our time in prayer, our talent and our treasure – that we have been given.

Saint Teresa of Avila wrote: “Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he is to go about doing good, yours are the hands with which He is to bless people now…” That is an excellent description of Christian Stewardship!

Today, you and I are privileged through our gifts to make Christ present in the world. I hope that you will be able to renew and even increase your financial stewardship commitment this year. I ask you to join me and your fellow parishioners by returning your completed commitment form  by mail or at Mass on Stewardship Commitment Weekend, October 22 – 23, 2011.

Thank you for the gift of yourself. Together we are the Church and together we will build up God’s kingdom on earth and answer Christ’s call to Stewardship: A Way of Life. May the Lord bless you for generously sharing your gifts.