Stewardship

A good steward gratefully recognizes that every single thing we have comes from God – for the benefit of everyone. Nothing is ours alone – it is ours to care for – and to share.
 
God made us to be generous, because God is generous.  We give because there is a need in us.  We give so God can be alive in us.  In generosity we find the true meaning of what we were created for; “to look just like God”.  Our pastor, Father Daniel Griffith, shares his thoughts in this letter as we launch our 2020 Stewardship Renewal.

Stewardship is ‘managing your house’ - the care and meaning we add to what God has given to us. We are called by God to be conduits for our blessings in order to make a richer life for all. Stewardship of God’s gifts gives us purpose and makes us fully human, and the parish provides the framework and the outlets for this to happen. To begin to live a life from which goodness flows, consider seeing your blessings as truthfully from God, and start with daily prayer, then committing to at least one new ministry or project to help others, and make a plan for beneficial and consistent financial giving.
 
All parishioners are asked to prayerfully examine what they can do for the parish as a sign of their faith and their gratitude to God. There are many opportunities to give of your time and talent to Our Lady of Lourdes and to other charities. We encourage parishioners to explore these opportunities.

“Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God” Romans 15:7

• Stewardship of Prayer: Resolve to strengthen your relationship with the Lord through prayer. Notice how often you pray and what hinders you from praying. If you are a beginner, commit to short, daily prayer times. 
• Stewardship of Participation:  Resolve to be a person of hospitality and mercy. Challenge yourself to perform two spiritual or corporal acts of mercy each month . Make time and space for others who enter your life. Be more aware of those times when a neighbor, co-worker, fellow parishioner or stranger, needs a moment of kindness, a little attention or an affirming gesture on your part. Resolve to serve your faith community in one or our volunteer ministry roles.
• Stewardship of Generosity:  Resolve to be generous with all our gifts (prayer, participation and generosity), not just the ones we choose. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus challenged us to give as it has been given to us.  Aware of our tremendous blessings, we strive to give generously to support the building up of God’s kingdom.  One way to do this is to reprioritize your financial goals to ensure that the Lord comes first in your spending. Learn more about ways to support the parish financially here.

Lourdes Stewardship Prayer

Lord of all creation, We praise and thank You for all the blessings we receive. Everything we have is Your gift to us. Through Your love for us, You gave us the greatest gift of all – Jesus Christ. Filled with Your love, we respond to Your call to be disciples of Your Son. Unite us as a community of missionary disciples. Open our hearts and minds to Your abundant grace so that we might become good stewards of Your gifts. As stewards, teach us to receive Your gifts gratefully, nurture them responsibly, share them selflessly, and return them to You with increase, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Pledge forms are available online and in the Stewardship packets.
More information about our parish financials can be found in this Our Lady of Lourdes Annual Report.