STEWARDSHIP

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church

12704 Foothill Blvd.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739-9764

(909) 899-1049 Fax (909) 899-3229

www.sacredheartrc.org

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STEWARDSHIP

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another

as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (Peter 4:10)

WHAT IS IT?

V Stewardship is a complete lifestyle, a life of total accountability and responsibility acknowledging God as Creator and Owner of all.

V Stewardship is a way of life, a way of thanking God for all His blessings by returning a portion of the time, talent, and treasure allotted to us.

V Stewardship is caring. Stewardship is responsible management of our God-given resources of time, talent, and treasure. It enhances our relationship with God and one another.

V Stewardship, in its simplest terms, asks us to put God’s priorities before our own. Good stewards give the first portion of their gifts of time, talent, and treasure to the Lord’s work in gratitude for His many blessings. This practice of giving of our “first fruits” incorporates the aspect of sacrificial giving. God does not judge us by how much we give, but by how faithful we are in making the gift.

In 1992 the American Bishops issued their pastoral letter, “Stewardship: A Disciples Response.” This letter focused on stewardship as an expression of discipleship, with “the power to change how we understand and live out our lives.” (Stewardship: A Disciples Response, p. 1)

The stewardship message deals with putting God first in our lives, being detached from material possessions and sharing our gifts of time, talent, and treasure with the church in gratitude for all that God has given us. Christian stewardship is not an option for Catholics. It is how we express our membership in the Body of Christ.

In response to the American Bishops call, we are asking every member of our community to begin to practice stewardship in your lives. To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how to practice stewardship, check the bulletin each week for suggestions on ways that you can begin to share your time, talent and treasure.

The life of a Christian steward is challenging and even difficult. Yet intense joy comes to those who take the risk to live as Christian stewards. Ask yourself: Do you wish to be disciples of Jesus Christ and Christian stewards of our world and our Church?

The Spirit shows us the way. Stewardship is part of that journey.