Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

May the Peace of the Lord be with you.

One of the most significant breakthroughs into a promising direction for our faith community is the reality of Christian Stewardship as a lifestyle for our parish. Stewardship is the idea from the Holy Scripture that everything in this world belongs to God, including ourselves. Yet God, Who is the Owner and Lord of all, has given to us the mastership and management of all our time, ability, and money. The entire universe is God's, yet He tells us in the Gospel of Luke, "All that I have is yours." The challenge and opportunity is that as stewards of God's gifts, we must recognize our role in the PERSONAL CARE of our Parish community, our Diocese, and our community.

As stewards, our Christian life today must transform each one of us from a receiver to a giver, from consumer to contributor. As stewards, there is an urgent need within us to give of ourselves. As stewards, we are trustees of God's gift to be used in serving one another. We must render an accounting of this inheritance.  At times, though in this day and age, we might be afraid of commitment, involvement, or personal investment. But we can not let pass what ONLY WE can contribute. To let something pass because of fear is TO BURY, like the steward of one token in the Gospel. When we realize that a significant portion of our time, ability, and money goes to serve another, we become personally involved.

I really think that Stewardship could be one of the greatest personal directions our Parish has yet to see. St. Mary Parish could be the great outpouring and avenue of expression of ourselves personally on the level that means the most meaningful management of our Time, Talent, and Treasure.

This coming Sunday, April 28, is the Diocesan Stewardship Sunday announcement. A video will be shown every mass on this weekend presenting the many life-changing ministries and services that our Diocese is offering that benefit all parishes including ours. As you learn more about the good works of our Diocese, I ask you to prayerfully consider participating by being good stewards, who for the love of God share their gifts time, talent and treasure with God's Church.

This year, our portion of the Diocesan budget is $115,060. This amount is easily achievable if most of us will give even just a little from the heart. When we are unable to fully meet our goal, the parish budget needs to make up for the difference. Yet any amount we may be able to collect that is above and beyond our goal will be returned to us for our own special use. I pray that our Parish will be generous with the coming Diocesan Appeal and that there will be an extra amount for the Parish to use to help fund the hiring of a music director and to improve our music ministry.

May the Lord in His love and mercy bless you for your generosity.

Sincerely Yours In Christ,

Fr. Burt Absalon,

Pastor