TIME

Talent

Treasure

TIME
Stewardship encourages us to use our time to grow in our relationship with God and one another.

TALENT
Stewardship encourages us to use our talents, which are gifts come from God, and to share them generously and joyfully with one another.

TREASURE
Stewardship encourages us to take ownership of our parish, to understand and address its needs.

God's Love Unites Us

A Message from Our Pastor

A year ago I asked the parish to consider entering into our Stewardship Program, “The Joy of Sharing the Gospel.” Your response was incredible. I want to thank you but I would also like to share with you what happened since then.

We recall that stewardship is “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.” It is also about ownership and it is about building a sustainable future.

We began our stewardship campaign focusing on treasure because the parish was financially stretched even before Covid, which made it worse. Your response to our special Christmas Collections and bequests helped us avoid deficit spending. I asked the parish to consider increasing its weekly donation by 13% so we could cover our operating expenses without any special collections. On the other side of this insert, you will see that our donations increased 19%. That is a great response! Thank you!!

About 27% of our registered parishioners returned a Commitment Card last year. Part of that 27% was one-time gifts totaling $53,515. Because of your generosity we should, for the first time in a while, end the fiscal year [July 1, 2023- June 30, 2024] with a positive balance without any special collections. That is quite the accomplishment, and for that I sincerely thank you!!

Stewardship, however, is much more than the financial state of our parish community. The three-fold structure of stewardship must include the sharing of our Talent and an awareness of how we use our Time. Brochures on Time and Talent can be found at the doors of the church. Our approach to Time is personal. Ultimately, we, as individuals, have to account for ourselves before God. Only we can judge the quality of time we dedicate to seeking God and becoming who God is calling us to be.

Talent, the third leg of stewardship, is as important as Treasure and Time. Contributing our treasure is important, “that keeps the lights on” as they say, but the contribution of our talent enlivens our community. We all have talents – yes, everyone – how do we share them? Between the Parish and the Center we have close to 1000 volunteers who are indeed committed stewards of this parish.That is an amazing number. However, we still need more volunteers, especially Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, and Choir members.

This Sunday I am asking you to recommit yourselves, or for those who have not already done so to commit yourselves to being a Steward of St. Francis of Assisi Parish by sharing your Time, and/or Talent, and/or Treasure. Please fill out the commitment/recommitment card on the reverse side and place it in the collection basket next weekend, Stewardship Commitment Sunday, or any Sunday you worship with us.

I thank you for your generous spirit. May we all be blessed 1000 fold.

Peace and All Good.

Fr. Francis Di Spigno, OFM

Pastor