St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church

Welcome to our Stewardship Page! Stewardship...not just a word, it's a way of life!

Are We Responsible Stewards?

The example of responsible stewardship was initially given by our Lord in the gospel of Matthew. Christ tells the story of a rich man who goes on a journey and entrusts his possessions to his three stewards. The stewards make use of the talents in various ways. The stewards were either rewarded or admonished for their handling of the talents in the absence of their Lord.
Stewardship means that we are not really owners of what God has given us, but only stewards. We have been given many gifts from our Lord to use for ourselves and to further His mission here on earth. Christ expects us to make proper use of these gifts and uses this story just before He teaches the importance of the corporal works of mercy listed below (Matt 25:14-46)
To feed the hungry
To give drink to the thirsty
To clothe the naked
To shelter the homeless
To visit the sick
To visit the imprisoned
We have been given the gifts of mind and body to use for God's glory and to bring His love to others. The spiritual works of mercy should be a part of our lives:
To cousel the doubtful
To instruct the ignorant
To admonish the sinner
To comfort the sorrowful
To forgive injuries
To bear wrong patiently
To pray for the living and dead
We are called to be part of Christ's Church through our time, our talents, and our treasures. As faithful and wise stewards, we must act responsibly with all that we have been entrusted and live inreadiness for our Lord.
"Go out to the whole world and preach the gospel to all creation!" (Mk. 16:15)
Stewards of Talents
We are called to give witness to Christ. As Christians, we are to lead good lives and show example in our faith and works. Each of us has been given different gifts from God. Peter tells us "each one, as a good manager of God's different gifts, must use for the good of others the special gifts he has received from God" (1 Peter 4:11).
The gifts of God are diverse, and freely given to us. Our choice lies in the use we make of our gifts. Through properly using our gifts in Christian service, we build up the body of Christ.
Stewards of Treasure
We are called to be responsible with all we have been given. Early Christians brough food and goods to share with fellow believers. Many sold all their possessions and gave the money to the Apostles (Acts 2). The financial treasures we acquire result from the talents our Lord gave us. We must act faithfully in our stewardship of the gifts we have received.
St. Paul told the Corinthians: "Everyone must give according to what he has inwardly decided; not sadly or grudgingly, for God loves those who give gladly" (2 Cor. 9:7)
Life is God's gift to you...
What you do with your life is your gift to God.
All that we have and are comes from God! This is a belief of our faith and this Stewardship Renewal Program acts as a reminder for us. Stewardship calls each of us to make the best use of our God-given talents and abilities.
God intends that His gifts be used for good and constructive purposes but leaves those decisions to us. We are free to use or not use His gifts. It is hoped that all parishioners freely respond in a spirit of thanksgiving for all their gifts.
Everyone is asked to make a commitment to our parish.
You are asked to consider the stewardship of your talents. Below you will find a link to a parish registry that you may fill out after reflecting on talents you might offer our parish. We need all of you!
You are asked to consider your financial stewardship commitment. A personal commitment is a specific amount promised to the parish for the coming year. The method of payment is up to you. Use of the weekly parish envelope is preferable, but some families find that sending a monthly check is more convenient.
The financial ability of each parishioner is different. Your gift should have some relation to how you live and be proportionate to your abilities and the gifts you've received. To those that have been given much, much more is required!
A financial commitment by all parishioners will allow our parish to forecast with greater accuracy the level of the income and allowable expenses for our parish.
In Closing...
The work of our parish requires your support - active, prayerful and financial - if our parish family is to continue to grow in Christ. You must decide what your response will be.
Please decide your response - in the quiet of your home or in solitude at church.
ALL PARISHIONERS are asked to reflect their decision. You may begin at once to place your increased weekly contribution in each Sunday's envelope. Your indication of support will mean so much to the parish, to those touched by our parish and to you as you are rewarded in seeking the kingdom of the Lord.

Do you know how many hours there are in a week?

168 Hours!

What is meant by stewardship?

Stewardship is based on the spiritual principles of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus. Where it has been implemented, both givers' and receivers' lives have changed. It is a way of life. It is a way of thanking God for all His blessings by returning to Him a portion of the time, talent and treasure allotted to us.

Stewardship engenders a spiritually that deepens our relationship with the Lord. It involves intentional, planned and proportionate giving of our time, talent and treasure.

What is meant by intentional, planned and proportional giving?

Intentional - A well thought out, deliberate decision is made to live out our Christian life in a certain way.

Planned - Each Catholic household would plan and make stewardship of time and talent a part of their lifestyle and stewardship of treasure a part of their budget.

Proportionate - A decision is made to give a certain percentage of one's time and one's income to the Church and other charities.

Do you know how the average American spends his or her leisure time every week?

12 hours watching television
6 hours eating out and socializing
5 hours window shopping
3 hours on hobbies
1 hour on religious activites and volunteering.

Source: Jim Spring, "Seven Days of Play," American Demographics (March 1993).

What difference will stewardship make in my life?

The difference is in the motivation for giving. Stewardship is an extension of our spiritual life where we give in gratitude to God for what we have already received. The difference is also in the result of the giving. Those who practice stewardship find that they grow spiritually and that their faith is deepened.

Am I expected to give all of my time, talent and treasure to the Church?

No. Most people give of their time and talent as volunteers to community groups in addition to volunteering in the Church. Many will give money to other community groups in addition to supporting the Church.

Do you feel time slipping away?

Consider investing a portion of your time in our parish!

What portion of my time, talent and treasure should I give?

What you give is a decision made between you and God. Some Christians choose the biblical norm of giving 10% of their treasure. Some, because of circumstances, give more than that. Others might start at 2, 3 or 4%. Many individuals commit a certain number of hours each week to prayer and charitable acivites.

Isn't stewardship of treasure an attempt to raise funds?

No, it is not, although some people mistakenly see it that way. First, stewarship is based on the Bible, which has many references to stewardship. Second, it is based onthe individual's need to give, not on the Church's need to receive. Third, giving of teasure is not limited to the Church.

Your life is a gift
from God.

What you make
of it is your
Gift
to God!