Stewardship Commission

Presider: Pastor

Staff Contact: Joan Kopil or Patricia Jannuzzi (Co-Animators) at 908-725-1112 ext. 1124
[email protected]

Members are: Delia Alacon, Lillian Burgos, Ted Ellis and Judy Hancock.

The Stewardship Commission will help to plan parish stewardship initiatives which include the yearly stewardship renewal of time, talent and treasure, the yearly thank you event for stewards, the preparation and recording of witness talks, the bi-yearly ministry fair, and the ministry description booklet. Furthermore, this commission will help to launch and assist ministries focused on vocational, pastoral and parish life.

STEWARDSHIP IS A WAY OF LIFE!

Pope Benedict reflects on the sacrificial path of following Christ as a way of life.   This path is exemplified by the sacrificial giving of our Bishops and Priests.  Our Bishops and Priests are called to adopt Christ’s position and to think and act from his elevated position.  In doing so they might lead us to find true happiness and life.

STEWARDSHIP IS A DISCIPLE’S RESPONSE!!

“ONCE WE CHOOSE TO BECOME A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST, STEWARDSHIP IS NOT AN OPTION.” Bishop John J. McRaith

Who is a Christian Steward? “One who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with all, and returns them with increase to the Lord.”

STEWARDSHIP IS  OUR GRATITUDE TO OUR LOVING FATHER!

IN THE WORDS OF ST. PAUL TO THE PHILLIPIANS:

“I GIVE THANKS TO MY GOD AT EVERY REMEMBRANCE OF YOU, PRAYING ALWAYS WITH JOY IN MY EVERY PRAYER FOR ALL OF YOU, BECAUSE OF YOUR PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOSPEL FROM THE FIRST DAY UNTIL NOW.  I AM CONFIDENT OF THIS, THAT THE ONE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CONTINUE TO COMPLETE IT UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS.”
(PHIL 1:3-6)

“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.”
 His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

Examples of works, services and ministries of the good steward enumerated in the US Bishops Pastoral Letter “Stewardship a Disciple’s Response” are:
1.  Evangelization and witness to the Gospel
2.  Catechesis and faith formation
3.  Parent Stewardship of the Domestic Church
4.  Stewardship of the simplicity of life
5.  Stewardship of the ecology of the globe
6.  Lay witness in the market place and institutions
7.  Financial accountability in personal and parochial affairs
8.  Stewardship of collegiality and collaboration in parish life
and ministries
9.  Stewardship of social justice and the work for peace.

“The pastoral letter recognizes the importance of church support, including the sharing of time, talent and treasure.  But it situates church support in a much broader context-what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  ‘This way of life has its center and source of strength in the Eucharist.'” (pg. 2 and 3).

“WE ALL ARE STEWARDS OF THE CHURCH.  AS ‘TO EACH INDIVIDUAL THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN FOR SOME BENEFIT” (COR 12:7), SO STEWARDSHIP IN AN ECCLESIAL SETTING MEANS CHERISHING AND FOSTERING THE GIFTS OF ALL, WHILE USING ONE’S OWN GIFTS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY OF FAITH.  THE RICH TRADITION OF TITHING SET FORTH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IS AN EXPRESSION OF THIS.(SEE, FOR EXAMPLE, DT. 14:22; LV 27:30)  THOSE WHO SET THEIR HEARTS UPON SPIRITUAL GIFTS MUST’  SEEK TO HAVE AN ABUNDANCE FOR BUILDING THE CHURCH” (1 COR 14:12)

STEWARDSHIP OF THE ENVIRONMENT