What Is Stewardship

"Give and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment. For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you."(Luke 6:38)”

Stewardship is a concept as old as the Bible. It was reborn in the early 1960s and now has the potential of changing the way Catholics live, and give, in the world of today. We know from the Bible that everything we have is a gift from God. We are stewards, managers of the many gifts God has given to us. As Christian stewards, we recognize that all we are and all we have belongs to God, and that we are accountable to Him for the use of all things. Therefore, we must live and give as Christians, generously sharing our God-given gifts of time, talent and treasure.

"Stewardship calls us to reflect on the many ways in which we have been blessed as individuals and as a Church community. As followers of Christ, we are called to place our gifts and talents in His service, continuing His mission of ministry and service. "National Catholic Stewardship Council (Summer, 1994)”.

The idea of cooperation and collaboration of diocese and parish, staff and parishioners, all working together. Stewardship efforts benefit all of us. As companions on the journey of a lifetime, we are called to be good stewards. Participation in the campaign is an act of faith that will allow both the parish and the diocese to continue to provide the services and facilities necessary to meet the needs of some 200,000 Catholics across our four counties.

Over the years, the faithful of this diocese have demonstrated a deep understanding of our call to be good stewards. In each of the last two years, the effort has exceeded its goal. These are statistics of which we can all be proud. We congratulate all those who have answered the call to be good stewards. We urge everyone to prayerfully reflect on how they can be a part of this campaign in 1999. We are indeed companions on a journey, and by working together as good stewards, we can ensure that the journey's path is a fruitful one.

The Archdiocese of Hartford has instituted a three-year Parish Stewardship Initiative that started in September 1998 with a letter from Archbishop Cronin to each archdiocesan priest.

Mark & Dawn Czepiel, Vince & Jan Jennetta, Ron & Pam Messier, Gary & Gayle Parent, Lillian Thomas, Joann Volpe, and Fr. Joe Kurnath have volunteered to serve on St. Anthony’s Stewardship Committee.

The Committee has been meeting monthly since February to learn about Stewardship.

As a practical matter for the Archdiocese, stewardship is a way to increase revenue. As it relates to St. Anthony’s Parish and our vision for Stewardship, it is a way for all parishioners to learn how to give their time, talent, and resources in service to Christ.

St. Anthony’s Parish has a vast network of ministry and volunteerism that is strongly established. Our committee will use the Archdiocesan resources of the Stewardship initiative to improve communication among the various ministries and promote even greater involvement in these various ministries.

God, I resolve to put You first in my life.
I recognize that You have blessed me with all that I have
and all that I am.

I commit to giving back to You the first portion of my blessings. Doing so may seem scary at times, but I hear
Your reassurance in Scripture: "Do not worry anymore," and know that I can depend on You. I resolve to sacrifice when necessary but always to do so out of a spirit of sincere love, just as Your Son, Jesus did for me.

I humbly accept the challenge to share from my means
rather than from my excess. I recognize that being a good steward is nothing more than being truly Christian.

From my heart, I thank You Lord for blessing me and I
trust in Your love.

Dear God, I resolve to be generous with my time, talent and resources, giving in proportion to the gifts I have received. At times I may fail, but I pledge to keep trying. In so doing, I will confidently live each day with a spirit of true peace and joy.