Stewardship Bulletin Announcements

Liturgical Cycle A – February 2008
(REVISED NEW AMERICAN BIBLE TRANSLATION)

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (February 3, 2008)

"God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong.... so that no human being might boast before God." I Corinthians 1:28-29

Stewardship entails our hidden as well as our obvious talents. God works through us not only in our assets, but also in our weaknesses. Consider volunteering your time & talent for something you have never tried before.

First Sunday in Lent (February 10, 2008)

"Then Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being." Genesis 2:7

The story of creation reminds us that God is the author of our life. We should not look down on our human activity as something unspiritual. God created us as we are. How we handle the work-a-day world is very much a part of our spiritual life.

Second Sunday in Lent (February 17, 2008)

"The Lord said to Abram . . . 'I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."  Genesis 12:1-2

In Baptism, God says the same thing to each of us. Stewardship is our response to our baptismal call. The stewardship lifestyle can unlock our full potential.

Third Sunday in Lent (February 24, 2008)

"'The Lord answered Moses. . . 'I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it, for the people to drink."' Exodus 17:5-6
God’s gifts to us are often disguised. The rock appears to be an obstacle, but God turns the rock into life-giving water for the people of Israel. Do we trust that God will turn the obstacles in our lives into life-giving opportunities?

Liturgical Cycle A – March 2008
(REVISED NEW AMERICAN BIBLE TRANSLATION)

Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 2, 2008)

"... for God does not as mortals see; they look at the outward appearance but the Lord looks on the heart." I Samuel 16:7

Stewardship is a matter of the heart. As the comedian Bob Hope once said: "If you haven't got charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble."

Fifth Sunday in Lent (March 9, 2008)

"If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit dwelling in you." Romans 8:11

The Spirit of God gives us life to prepare us for a life of service and generosity to others. We are raised from the dead when we are converted from a life of selfishness and indifference.

Passion (Palm) Sunday (March 16, 2008)

"While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, 'Take and eat; this is my body."
Matthew 26:26

Vatican II says of the Eucharist, "if this celebration is to be sincere, it must lead to various works of charity and mutual help, as well as to missionary activity and to different forms of Christian witness." The Eucharist does not end at Mass.

Easter Sunday (March 23, 2008)

"This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead."  Acts 10:40-41

The first disciples were people who witnessed the risen Christ in the flesh. The author of Acts emphasizes that they ate and drank with the risen Christ. How we take care of each other "in this life" is an important part of our spiritual life. Stewardship is not about having pious thoughts, but about making life better for others in the flesh.

Second Sunday of Easter (March 30, 2008)

"All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them all according to each one's need."     
Acts 2:44-45

Liturgical Cycle A – April 2008
(REVISED NEW AMERICAN BIBLE TRANSLATION)

Third Sunday of Easter (April 6, 2008)

"If you invoke as Father the one who judges impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during your time of your exile"  I Peter 1: 17-18

From the stewardship perspective, our consumer society is in need of an exile in a strange land. Stewardship calls us to resist the "me first" values glamorized by our society.

Fourth Sunday of Easter (April 13, 2008)

"I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly."  John: 10,10

An abundant life comes not from gathering or hoarding possessions but in giving of ourselves.

Fifth Sunday of Easter (April 20, 2008)

"... the one who believes in me will do the works that I do, and in fact will do greater ones than these."  John 14:12

Stewardship is a faith response. The good works we perform are the result of our faith, not the cause of our faith. Stewardship flows from a genuine faith conversion.

Sixth Sunday of Easter (April 27, 2008)

"...Sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make a defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you."   I Peter 3:15

Actions speak louder than words. Let your stewardship be your reply. Stewardship involves a change of heart, embodied not just in a single action, nor even a series of actions, but in a way of living.

Liturgical Cycle A – May 2008
(REVISED NEW AMERICAN BIBLE TRANSLATION)

The Ascension of The Lord  (May 4, 2008)

"Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said. . . 'I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do."   John 17:4

Christ fulfilled his vocation by finishing the work God gave him. An important part of our stewardship is the discernment of our unique vocation. Stewardship is not just a matter of doing more volunteer work. It is a response to the personal call God makes to each of us -- to fulfill the unique tasks that God has given to us.

Pentecost (May 11, 2008)

"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit." I Corinthians 12:4-7

Each of us has been given unique talents to share with others. Time and treasure are similar for everyone -- they only differ in amounts. The gifts of our talents are the most personal aspect of our stewardship.

The Holy Trinity (May 18, 2008)

"The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." Exodus 34:6

Stewardship is a response to the goodness of God. We give out of gratitude to a gracious God, not out of fear that God will be vengeful.

The Body and Blood of Christ (May 25, 2008)

"Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread." I Corinthians 10: 17

The U.S. Bishop's teach us (in their pastoral letter on stewardship) that the Eucharistic celebration should lead to works of charity and mutual help. The heart of stewardship is this "Eucharistic stewardship."

Liturgical Cycle A – June 2008
(REVISED NEW AMERICAN BIBLE TRANSLATION)

Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 1, 2008)

"Not everyone who says to me, ’Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." Matthew 7: 21

It is not enough to know God. As the catechism of the Church teaches, we are called to know, love, and serve God in this world if we wish to be with Him in the next. Stewards recognize that in the sharing of our gifts, we come to know, love and serve God.

Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 8, 2008)

"For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than holocausts."  Hosea 6:6

God is love. If we are to enter into a deeper relationship with God, we must understand that what God desires most is our love.

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 15, 2008)

"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers for the harvesting." Matthew 9:37-38

A steward is not a spectator. We are not called to simply cheer on other people as they do good works. All of us are expected to roll up our sleeves and participate in the work of the church.

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 22, 2008)

"Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever does not acknowledge me before others I will not acknowledge before my heavenly Father."  Matthew 10: 32-33.

Acknowledgment of God is recognition of what God has done for us. To fail to recognize that all we have and are is His gift is not to recognize Him.

Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul - Apostles (June 29, 2008)

"And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church…”
 Matthew 16:18

Christ entrusted Peter and the Apostles with the continuation of his ministry on earth. As stewards, we recognize our role to follow in the footsteps of the early church community to ensure that Christ’s ministry and work continues on today.

Liturgical Cycle A – July 2008
(REVISED NEW AMERICAN BIBLE TRANSLATION)

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 6, 2008)

"Come to me, all you who weary and are carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." Matthew 11:28-29

Generosity is not a burden, but a liberating experience. It liberates because the generous person is walking in the yoke with Christ sharing gifts and challenges.

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 13, 2008)

"For as the rain and snow come down from the heaven and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful... so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth. My word shall not return to me empty, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it."  Isaiah 55:10-11

Stewardship is what we do with our lives after we say, "I believe." The word of God is only fulfilled when we act on it. Does our faith bear fruit in our gifts of time, talent, and treasure?

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 20, 2008)

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when fully grown it is the largest of plants." 
Matthew l3:31, 32

You should never be discouraged by a seeming lack of resources. Your smallest gifts and acts of kindness joined with God can have a great impact.

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 27, 2008)

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Matthew 13:44

Many times we conceal treasure within ourselves. To what extent will we go to develop the treasure buried within us?

Liturgical Cycle A – August 2008
(REVISED NEW AMERICAN BIBLE TRANSLATION)

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 3, 2008)

"Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over -- twelve wicker baskets full."   Matthew 14:19-20

If we follow Jesus’ example, there will always be more than enough because others will join us with their generosity. The young man gave his loaves and fishes and no one went without.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 10, 2008)

"After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up to the mountain by himself to pray."  Matthew 14:22-23

The psychologist Carl Jung once said, "Busyness is not of the devil, busyness is the devil!" Stewardship is not about increasing our activities, but about establishing priorities in how we utilize our gifts. One of those priorities is prayer. Do we take time out to be alone with God?

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 17, 2008)

"Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come and my deliverance be revealed.”  Isaiah 56: 1

A steward is keenly aware of the need for justice. It is the Lord’s justice practiced by a steward that delivers the poor.

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 24, 2008)

"Who do people say that I am?"   Matthew 16:13

The answers the disciples gave varied because they recognized some of the attributes of individual prophets in Jesus. Peter saw what the Messiah was supposed to be because Jesus reflected who he was. A steward reflects generosity and this is immediately recognizable to all that he meets.

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 31, 2008)

"Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."  Romans 12:2

The bishops in their pastoral letter on stewardship warn us about conforming to the destructive "isms" at work in our culture -- materialism, individualism, and consumerism. Stewardship calls us to generously share what we have with others. Stewardship focuses on our dependence on God. This focus goes against our culture's focus on independence and individualism.

Liturgical Cycle A – September 2008
(REVISED NEW AMERICAN BIBLE TRANSLATION)

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time  (September 7, 2008)

"The commandments... are summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love your
neighbor as yourself."  Romans 13:9

The challenge of a steward is summed up in the simple question, "what have I done for my neighbor?"

Exaltation of the Cross  (September 14, 2008)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”   John 3:16

Christ became the perfect sacrifice on the cross so that we might have eternal salvation. What sacrifices are we willing to make?

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 21, 2008)

"So when the first came they thought they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner.... 'My friend, 'he said, 'I am doing you no wrong. . . Are you envious because I am generous?”   Matthew 20:9-15

As God's servants, the gifts we receive from God are not a result of the work we do, but a result of God's generosity. Our stewardship should mirror the generosity of the estate owner. Stewards give without questioning what we will get in return.

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 28, 2008)

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to those of others."  Philippians 2:4-5

Stewardship is often confused with volunteering. Stewardship is not primarily an activity, but an attitude – a way of life. Giving of our time, talent, and treasure involves a change of attitude. It is important to think of giving as a sign of how blessed we are and how using our gifts and talents for the good of others demonstrates our gratitude to God.

Liturgical Cycle A – October 2008
(REVISED NEW AMERICAN BIBLE TRANSLATION)

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 5, 2008)

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving; let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

The opposite of Christian stewardship is fear. Giving to God "from the top" and not what is left over requires an inner assurance that God will provide for our needs. This assurance or faith is the solid foundation for the practical exercise of stewardship.

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 12, 2008)

"I know how to have little; I know what it is to have plenty. In any and in all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need."  Philippians 4:12

St. Paul neither craved nor rejected material wealth. He was simply detached from it; he could take it or leave it. A steward is called to "possess lightly." Money is neither good nor evil, but merely reflects the person who possesses it.

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 19, 2008)

"They handed him a Roman coin... He said to them, 'Whose image is this, and whose inscription?' They replied, 'The Caesar’s. 'Then give therefore to Caesar what is the Caesar’s and to God what is God’s."  Matthew 22:19-21

What do you give to the Caesar and what do you give to God? Have you ever considered how much time you spend a week helping in your church or your community? Have you ever taken time to figure out what percentage of your income goes to the church and other charitable causes?
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 26, 2008)

"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself"  Matthew 22:37-39

Stewardship is not just about taking care of others. It involves the first commandment as well. How well do you take care of your relationship with God? How often do you take time to be with God in prayer?

Liturgical Cycle A – November 2008
(REVISED NEW AMERICAN BIBLE TRANSLATION)

All Souls’ Day (November 2, 2008)

"Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love:"   Wisdom 3:9

Stewardship is a life of service. The reward for faithful stewardship is the knowledge of truth and eternal life with God.

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (November 16, 2008)

"He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters I will give you great responsibilities."   Matthew 25:20-21

The stewards in this parable are expected to invest their time, talents, and treasure according to their master's wishes. God expects a return on the gifts that have been given to us. This return is impossible without investing our energies for the benefit of others.

Christ the King  (November 23, 2008)

"Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me."  Matthew 25:34-36

Stewardship is opening our hearts, schedules and hands to others. It means being available and willing to listen and give our time and our love to our neighbors and fellow parishioners. In doing this, we serve Christ.