 | 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.
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Stewardship Prayer | | |
Gracious and Loving God
We give you thanks for this time of year; a time of transformation that reveals the awe-inspiring gift of your creation.
Teach us how to be good stewards of all the gifts you have given us; and show us how we may share those gifts generously, especially with those most in need of your loving care.
Give us the strength to be good stewards of the Gospel, to love others as we love ourselves, and to follow in your Son's footsteps, until we find our way home to you.
We pray this through your Son,
Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen
This prayer from ICSC October 2011 e-Bulletin
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| Bulletin Bits Based on Sunday Readings | | |
These bulletin bits are from Sharon Hueckel's book Stewardship by the Bookand are reprinted here with permission. Whether your parish is preparing to launch a formal stewardship "program," nurturing an earlier stewardship effort, trying to increase awareness of the link between discipleship and stewardship, or just trying desperately to keep the parish financially afloat, dropping Stewardship by the Book into the bulletin each week is one fairly painless way to work at stewardship education. Click here for stewardship reflections for the November/December Sunday readings.
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| Prayers of the Faithful | |
We recommend that every week in every parish a stewardship intention should be included in the "Prayers of the Faithful." Click here for November/December prayers. |
| Stewardship Links
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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.
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| Upcoming Webinrs | | |
How to Build an Effective Parish Website
Time: 12-1 p.m. (MST)
Date: Thurs., November 3, 2011
Place: Your desk!
Cost: FREE
Registration Link
Parish Leadership Development
Times: 12-1 p.m. or 5-6 p.m. MST
Date: Tues., November 8, 2011
Cost: FREE
Registration Link
Stewardship and Evangelization
Times: 12-1 p.m. or 5-6 p.m. MST
Date: Tues., December 13, 2011
Cost: FREE Registration Link
(above link active after 10/8/11)
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 Stewardship News & NotesA newsletter for those promoting the gifts of time, talent and treasure
November/December 2011
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Sometimes, the stewardship journey can be overwhelming and we may feel like we need a book on Stewardship for Dummies as Fr. Michael Tropha suggests.
What's on Your Website? Be sure to checkout upcoming webinars for this month and the next beginning with one on Nov. 3rd on parish websites--the growing tool for evangelizing and reaching out to Catholics and those seeking a spiritual home.
We are seeing and hearing about many parishes' wonderful stewardship efforts and you can find more ideas for Celebrating Stewardship Awareness Sunday here.
What are your ideas? Send us creative ways to reach out to our brothers and sisters (mhampton@rcdb.org) and we will try to publish them in this newsletter or on our web pages.
LET US HELP YOU!
Diocesan Stewardship Council:
Chairperson: Val Allen, St. Mark's, Boise
Debbie Gallegos, Holy Spirit Catholic Community, Pocatello
Dan Makley, Our Lady of Rosary, Boise
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
Stewardship and Development Office:
Margaret Hampton, Coordinator of Stewardship and Development, mhampton@rcdb.org
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Stewardship for Dummies
by Fr. Michael Tropha, Copyright 2011, www.thecatholicsteward.com
We are all familiar with the Computers for Dummies type book that you find everywhere. Computers for Dummies was evidently the first in the line of these types of books, because most people were overwhelmed by the technology of a computer when computers first came out. I even picked up Sudoku for Dummies because I wanted to get in all of the fun I saw people having with Sudoku. Unfortunately, I couldn't even solve the easy sample puzzle, and gave up on the book
Sometimes, I think we might feel . . . Read More
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What's On Your Website?
Did you know that the Center for the Study of Church Management has found that 80% of younger Catholis will actually visit a parish website before they visit the parish? If they find a site that is out-of-date, boring, or difficult to navigate, they will be less likely to actually visit the parish. All parishes should take a good look at what is on their websites and what kind of first impression is being made. Remember that your website is not just meant to serve existing parishioners. It can be a wonderful tool for welcoming and evangelizing potential parishioners and Catholics. Read More
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FREE Stewardship Webinars
November 8 - Parish Leadership Development
December 13 - Stewardship and Evangelization
The Development and Stewardship Office purchases a diocesan-wide registration from Our Sunday Visitor that allows any parish staff or volunteers to attend one-hour webinars offered every 2nd Tuesday of the month at no cost. There is no limit on the number of attendees from our diocese or your parish. You may participate from your own personal computer at home or at the office. All you need is an internet connection and a phone. Click here to find out more about these upcoming webinars. |
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For Your Bulletin: What Is Stewardship?
Copyright Archdiocese of St. Louis. Reprinted with permission.
Part 3 of 5
As we strive to live as faithful and generous stewards, it is important that we understand all of the facets of stewardship. Here are just a few key aspects of stewardship. Stewardship is:
- Proportionate Giving - Stewardship calls us to realize that each of us is called to give as God has given to us. We no longer base our giving on what others are giving. We no longer excuse ourselves from giving because we do not see others giving. Rather we give in proportion to all that God has given to us.
- Spending Time with God- Stewardship involves spending time with God. Recognizing that every day is a gift from God, we strive to spend some of each day with God, through prayer, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, scripture reading, quiet, meditation and other spiritual activities.
- Sharing Talent - Stewardship involves sharing talent. Recognizing that God has given each individual unique skills and talents so that together we can do the work of Our Lord, we strive to share our own talents and to encourage and welcome others to also use their talents to carry out the mission and ministry of the Church.
All fifteen of the aspects of stewardship, identified by the St. Louis Archdiocesan Stewardship Education Council, can be found on their stewardship website at www.archstl.org/stewardship. Click on "Stewardship Education" and then "Stewardship Is . . ."
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Celebrating Stewardship Awareness Sunday
This time of year, many parishes conduct a Stewardship Awareness Sunday for their annual stewardship renewal. Greater stewardship is key to the continued growth and vitality of our parishes and our schools. Here are a few ways for you to maximize your parish's stewardship efforts:
- Distribute stewardship brochures, intention cards, and prayer cards to spread the stewardship message into the homes in your parish. Materials can be purchased from a vendor such Our Sunday Visitor (http://www.osvoffertory.com/). Also see sample St. Mark's Stewardship Renewal form at the end of this article.
- Release an Annual Stewardship Report the weekend before Stewardship Sunday. This shows parishioners that your parish has been a good steward of its resources and inspires greater participation.
- Invite a family or individual from the parish to speak about the joys of embracing stewardship as a way of life. A brief lay witness talk such as this could be given after communion. Read more
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