Stewardship assists needy

Those words are often heard from pulpits during annual collections, such as the Bishop's Appeal, or in relation to weekly Mass offerings.

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, in his 1988 pastoral letter titled "We Are God's Priestly People," suggested that Catholics view stewardship and sacrificial giving as "a commitment in faith, a call to work with and through each other to build the kingdom of God here on earth."

Generosity

He was referring, in particular, to the annual Bishop's Appeal and the Capital Campaign 2000, during which $58 million was pledged by Catholics for long-range programs in education, charities and other needs.

"We consider all parishes in our Diocese to be stewardship parishes," he said, adding that they follow the Bishop's directives by calling for a stewardship that includes the donation of time, talent and treasure.

Changes in giving

According to the then-pastor Rev. Frank Gilchrist, as a result of the sacrificial giving program, St. Madeleine Sophie's realized an increased income of 76 percent.

"It was amazing," he said. "When we realized how much money we had, we decided to reach out to the larger community" by donating to non-profit organizations in need.

Pledges

Once the program was established, St. Madeleine Sophie's was giving other groups "about $3,500 quarterly," Father Gilchrist said. The groups included overseas missions as well as organizations that provide food, clothing, shelter and education.

"Implementing the sacrificial sharing program allowed us to assist groups that really needed help," said Father Gilchrist.

Called as stewards

"We all have a call to stewardship," he said. "This call includes giving sacrificially to support your parish, your Diocese and its programs. As Christians, we have the quintessential role model to follow: Jesus. He gave 100 percent of His time, talent and treasures. We are asking that people consider sacrificial giving as an important priority in their lives -- and stewardship as a continuing sacrificial call."

In his pastoral, Bishop Hubbard noted: "What [Jesus] asks His followers [to do] is to become involved and to share of themselves totally, not only with their financial assets, but equally important, with their time and the special gifts or talents they have received from God. Stewardship is not about money; it is about faith."

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