Good stewardship begins with our loving God. Everything that we have is a gift from God – our life and natural talents, our family and relationships, our health and energy, our emotions and ability to reason, our material goods. God has provided abundantly for all our needs. Jesus said: “I came that they might have life, and have it to the fullest” (John 10:10).

Gratitude

We are good stewards when we praise and thank the Lord for the many gifts we have been given. “If the only prayer you said in your whole life was ‘thank you’ that would be enough” is a famous insight of Meister Eckhart (1260-1327). What a blessing it is when a gift is received in gratitude and used to the fullest! And the best way to show our gratitude is to cultivate those gifts and celebrate the best in us.

Generosity

Scripture encourages us to trust in God’s providence and be assured that our own needs will be met if we are generous. In fact, we have been promised blessings of every kind – the “hundredfold” of the Gospel. We are taught to share our gifts with others as we live out the mission of Jesus in true discipleship. Together, as a community of faith, we collaborate with God in bringing about the Kingdom of hope and love, peace and justice, comfort and joy.

What is Stewardship?

A life-long journey that brings us closer to Jesus Christ,
following the path he laid out for us through his example of self-giving

Understanding that everything we have is a gift from God
of which we are absolutely the best caretakers (stewards)

Having the heart to give back out of love a portion of
every gift that has been entrusted to us by God

Living our life with the understanding that someday God
will ask each one of us what we did with his varied gifts

A way of life with rewards that last an eternity

Stewardship Message...

"As each one has received a gift,
use it to serve one another as good stewards
of God's varied grace"
1 Peter 4:10.

What are you looking for from your parish? To grow closer to God? to meet fellow parishioners? To know that you belong here? To have an opportunity to make a difference? Our parish stewardship program offers you a chance to do all of this and much more. Stewardship is all about how we show our love and gratitude to God - how we deepen our relationship with Our Lord and with one another. Each of us is called to offer our gifts to support God's work here on hearth. There is work for all of us:

+ Spend more time in prayer, Mass attendance or other spiritual activities
+ Volunteer and get involved in any of our many parish activities and ministries
+ Share your financial gifts to support God's work that happens in our parish

Today, we ask you to respond with a grateful and loving heart and be a part of that work. A written commitment to share your time, talent, and treasure with your parish is a sign of your gratitude and trust in God. Please bring your 2013 pledge card to Mass the weekend of Nov. 17-18 and place it in the basket before the altar. If you indicate an interest in learning more about a particular parish ministry, you will be contacted in the coming weeks by a leader of that ministry. (View/Print plege card and list of ministries)

Thank you for completing a Stewardship Renewal pledge card for 2013! Cards may also be found in the vestibule of the church or at the parish office. We need your time, talent and treasure to carry on the Lord's work in this place. Together we can do so much more than any of us could do alone.

The OLA Stewardship Committee

Read our Pastor's Message for Stewardship Renewal

The Stewardship Committee

The OLA Stewardship Committee is seeking parishioners to promote the practice of Stewardship through year-round activities, education, emphasis in liturgy, and liaison with parish ministries and organizations. Prosepctive members should be baptized, practicing Catholics who are registered and active in the parish. They should also demonstrate a commitment to Stewardship with their generous contribution of time, talent and treasure, and be willing to witness to the Stewardship way of life. The committee also provides ongoing education and development in the understanding of Stewardship principles for its members.

Individuals with an interest in the following areas are encouraged to contact Mary Jean Neault for more information about the Stewardship Committee.

Stewardship Education and Formation

This area includes preparation of the Annual Stewardship Renewal materials that are mailed to every parish household in November. Other related areas are leadership training and the cultivation of lay witness speakers. There is an opportunity to build new Stewardship programs for children and teens in our regular Faith Formation curriculum.

Ministry Recognition and Awareness

This area includes preparation of a Parish Ministry Handbook, the annual Parish Life Expo, and planning regular bulletin updates on ministry opportunities. Another area not yet implemented at OLA might be ministry recognition events.

Communications

This area includes the regular Stewardship articles in the parish bulletin and on the parish website, as well as the annual Stewardship report to the parish. Another possibility is building a roster for e-mail blasts to parishioners.

Volunteer Coordinating

This is the area of assisting parishioners with the discernment of their individual gifts and following-up with parish ministries on new membership. There is an opportunity for using reports from our parish database to create a "time and talent" inventory.

Hospitality and Welcome

This area include creating a Welcome Packet for newcomers to the parish, and sponsoring Welcome events. There an opportunity for setting up home visits to new families and "mentor families" to guide them.

Our 2013 Stewardship Theme is "Trust in the Lord, and do good."

Grace