Contents
18-Steps to Establish Parish Stewardship
A Stewardship Prayer
2010 ICSC Conference
Educating Families About the Importance of Giving
Q&A
Free Webinar: Key Elements for Establishing Stewardship as a Way of Life
Mission Statement 
 
To be co-responsible with Jesus Christ in the building of the kingdom of God and to promote discipleship and spiritual growth through hospitality, prayer, formation, and service. 
 
 
Upcoming Events
Free Webinar:
Key Elements for Establishing Stewardship as a Way of Life
May 11, 2010, 12-1 PM or 5-6 PM(MDT)
Presenter:  Leisa Anslinger
For registration link, see article.
 
Making Disciples 
May 17-20, 2010
7 PM Mon. thru 5 PM Thur. at Nazareth Retreat Center, Boise
Register online at www.showmyevent.com/

Diocesan Convocation:  Building Christ-Centered Communities
June 7-10, 2010, at Our Lady of Rosary Church, Boise
Register at www.catholicidaho.org

Annual ICSC Conference
Sept. 19-22, San Diego, CA
Register online
at www.catholicstewardhip.org 
 
Diocesan Stewardship Day
Late October 2010
Speaker:  Scott Bader, Director of Stewardship, Archdiocese of Seattle
Place: TBA
Stewardship Links
 

Below are diocesan and publisher websites that contain resources on stewardship for use in your parish.  Some of these materials can be downloaded, while others must be ordered. 

 
Join Our Mailing List
topStewardship News & Notes
A newsletter for those promoting the gifts of time, talent and treasure
May/June 2010
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Greetings from the Diocesan Stewardship Council!  This publication is our inaugral issue of Stewardship News & Notes.  Initiated by the council, this newsletter is for all those who are actively involved in or trying to create communities dedicated to promoting the gifts of time, talent, and treasure.  You may, at anytime, opt out of receiving this e-newsletter.  If you are not on our e-list but would like to be, please let us know.
 
The purpose of this publication is to share information and resources from parish to parish and parish to diocese that will help your faith communities on their stewardship journey.
 
Do you have material you'd like to submit for inclusion in our next newsletter?  If so, please email it to [email protected].  All submittals are gratefully received, although we cannot promise that all will be published.  We hope you will find this first issue helpful and share with us your stewardship conversion stories and materials.
 
Sincerely yours in Christ,
 
Steward Council:
Chairwoman:  Val Allen, St. Mark's, Boise
Debbie Gallegos, Holy Spirit Catholic Community, Pocatello
Clyde Brinegar , St. Mark's, Boise
Dan Makley, Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Father Jesus Camacho, St. Mary's, Boise
Gail Estes, All Saints Catholic Parish, Lewiston
John Hart, Holy Apostles, Meridian
Deacon Mike Eisenbeiss, Sacred Heart Parish, Boise
18-Steps to Establish Parish Stewardship
 
By Deacon Mike Eisenbeiss, Parish Life Director at Sacred Heart Parish, Boise
1.  Establish a stewardship committee. If there is Catholic School, include representation from school. Pray and study the following documents:  
  • Stewardship:  A Disciple's Response (USCCB at usccb.org);
  • Stewardship: Disciples Respond.  A Practical Guide for Pastoral Leaders (International Catholic Stewardship Council at icsc.com); and
  • The Four Pillars of Parish Stewardship (Dan Loughman:  [email protected])
Around table

2.  Send representatives from stewardship committee and pastor to International Conference on Stewardship and/or regional conference on stewardship (International Catholic Stewardship Council at icsc.com).
 
3. Conduct Parish Survey, if not done in past five years.
 
4. Prepare a Ministry Booklet. Include a description of all the ministries and services in the parish. Include name, telephone number, and e-mail address of contact person for each ministry and service.
 
5.  Select people to give testimonials at the Masses. (Complete two months before the stewardship process begins.)
 
6.  Make annual financial report to the parish. (Complete two weeks before stewardship talks.)
 
7.   Make bulletin and pulpit announcements. Alert your parishioners about their receiving materials regarding the annual stewardship process.
 
8.   Send letter signed by pastor or parish life director to each parishioner
explaining the upcoming time, talent, and treasure process. Include brochure on stewardship and stewardship prayer.
 
9.   Place stewardship prayer in hymnals or other places to be recited during the intercessions at Mass. Begin the recitations two weeks before sending out first stewardship mailing. 
 
10. Contact music director to select hymns with themes of stewardship to be sung at the Masses during the stewardship process.
 
11. Priest/deacon gives short homily on stewardship and then invites person(s) to give testimonial on stewardship at homily time of Mass. These activities take place over two weekends.
   
12. Priest or deacon explains the sign-up process. Baskets are passed with financial commitment card and ministry sign-up sheet and pencils. Congregation signs up right then.   Instrumental music is played. Completed cards, ministry forms, and pencils are brought to basket held by priest or deacon in front of altar to be offered up at the offertory.
 
13. #11 done again the 4th weekend since 30%-40% of the congregation
were not there the first week. Ask those that completed forms last weekend to pray for those completing their forms.
 
14. Put in computer data base (Power Church) those who have made a financial commitment.
 
15. Coordinator records ministry signup information in computer data base and sends names to the coordinators of each ministry to contact.  Needs to be done within two weeks.
 
16. Pastor/PLD sends Thank-you letter to those completing financial and ministry commitment forms.
 
17. Pastor/PLD sends reminder letter to parishioners not completing forms along with a different stewardship brochure, financial commitment form and ministry commitment form.
 
18. Pastor/PLD sends Thank-you letter to those completing forms from 2nd mailing.  
A Stewardship Prayer
Lord God,
    You alone are the source of every good gift, of the vast array of our universe, and the mystery of each human life.  We praise you and thank you for your great power and your tender, faithful love.
   Everything we are and everything we have are your gifts; and after having created us, you have given us into the keeping of your son, Jesus Christ.  Fill our minds with His truth and our hearts with His love.  In His spirit, may we be bonded together into a community of faith, a parish family, a caring people.
   In the name and spirit of Jesus, we commit ourselves to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us, to share our time, our talents, and our material and spiritual gifts as an outward sign of the treasure we hold in Jesus.
   In His holy name we pray
Amen.
2010 ICSC Conference
 
ICSC logoRegister now for the 2010 International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) Conference scheduled for Sept. 19-22, San Diego, CA. It is an international gathering of stewardship practitioners sharing their experience, enthusiasm, energy, and ideas. Call the ICSC office at 800-352-3452 for more information or for payment options that could allow you to register now and pay after July 1, 2010. Register online at www.catholicstewardship.org/
 
Educating Families About the Importance of Giving 
Momandboy
This article used with permission from the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
 
Stewardship should be a regular topic in all parish educational efforts.  A weekly or monthly bulletin column that also addresses family and children's stewardship might be another way to help teach parents and children the importance of good stewardship.  Many good resources are available that can provide your parish with talking points, lesson plans and other ideas about teaching stewardship to children.  These include:
   Learning to Give website:  www.learningtogive.org/.  A wealth of resources for teachers and parents, including quotes, stories and lesson plans all designed to be generous.
   Share Save Spend website:  www.sharesavespend.com/.  A website dedicated to educating young people about wise money management--including saving and giving to charity.  The eColumn provides many helpful thoughts and suggestions.
Q&A
 
This article used with permission from the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
 
Is it a good idea to talk about stewardship in tough economic times?
Absolutely!  Now that we have seen the failure of trusted financial systems and Americans are experiencing the devastating results of greed, many are realizing that real security only comes from placing our trust in God. The answer to so many of our worries can be found in the Stewardship Way of Life.  We find peace and comfort by:
  • Putting God first in our lives.
  • Taking time to thank God for His abundance.
  • Learning to get our priorities in order.
  • Recognizing the difference between what we really need and what we only want because a commercial, materialistic society has convinced us we should always have more.
  • Placing our trust in God.
Additionally, remember that not all families have been negatively impacted by the economy.  Many still have all the financial blessings that they had before the financial troubles started.  Those who have not been impacted are often more inclined to be generous when they clearly understand the need to give and when they are more grateful for their own blessings as they see others experiencing financial difficulties.
Diocese-wide Webinar Presented by Our Sunday Visitor
 
Lisa AKey Elements for Establishing Stewardship as a Way of Life
Date:  Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 12-1 p.m. or 5-6 p.m.(MDT)
Presented by: Leisa Anslinger
Cost:  Covered already by diocesan-wide registration


The US Bishops' Pastoral Letter, "Stewardship: A Disciple's Response," and the experience of pastoral leaders throughout the US acknowledge seven essential elements for establishing and sustaining stewardship as a way of life. Explore these elements and related effective practices, to begin or enhance your stewardship efforts. Come away renewed, refreshed, and equipped to lead your parish to grow as a community of disciples and stewards.
 
The Office of Stewardship and Development has purchased a diocese-wide registration from Our Sunday Visitor, so that anyone from a parish can participate in this web seminar from their location at no cost.  If there are other webinars they offer that interest you, please let us know.
 
Stewardship:  An Important Mission
"The promotion of the practice of stewardship is important for the mission of the Church and for the spiritual well-being of each individual Christian. Everyone benefits from the sacrificial gift one makes of his time, talent, and treasure." (Mt 28: 19-20).
Pope Benedict XVI
Contact Information
Margaret Hampton at [email protected]