STEWARDSHIP “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
Catholic Stewardship Consultants Developing Stewardship in Catholic Parishes
See How We Take Stewardship
TO THE NEXT LEVEL
“By promoting stewardship as a way of life with the support of CSC, we have seen more parishioners making concrete commitments to growth in discipleship, through prayer, parish involvement and in their giving.” Fr. Gary Kastl, Former Pastor of St. Anne, Broken Arrow, OK; Current President, Bishop Kelley High School, Tulsa, OK “Through working with CSC, I have seen a tremendous increase in parish involvement, and I have heard people say that their spiritual life and prayer life have vastly improved in the very first year. I value CSC’s expertise and their guidance. I would encourage any parish to use CSC because they will get and see results in their parish.” Fr. Michael Troha, Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Willoughby, OH “In our first year with CSC, we have seen our ministry commitments increase by 52% and a good portion of this increase comes from parishioners who were not involved in a ministry. Our treasure commitments have grown significantly to almost three times the cost of CSC’s services. I would recommend that all parishes consider using CSC if they are ready to increase stewardship and grow discipleship in their parishes.” Vince Novak, Stewardship Chair, Queen of the Holy Rosary, Overland Park, KS “CSC has a vibrant, knowledgeable team with a proven track record for helping parishes instill stewardship as a way of life. Since working with CSC, we have seen an increase in ministry participation, commitment to increase personal prayer, and an overall willingness from our parishioners to embrace stewardship, with the knowledge that stewardship really is Jesus’ way. The CSC team has been fantastic to work with.” Carmen Sellinger, Parish Manager, Immaculate Conception, North Little Rock, AR “Most parishes do not know where to begin. It takes commitment — on the part of the pastor and on the part of the staff — and CSC knows how to bring a parish from the very beginning, from Ground Zero, to live stewardship as a way of life.” Msgr. Mbinda, Pastor, St. John Apostle and Evangelist, Mililani, HI
“Since working with CSC, I’ve seen a good number of people who have stepped forward to get engaged in ministries who have not done so in the past. I’ve also seen people who are already engaged becoming more engaged, or doing more things. I think there’s a good spirit of energy that has been brought to the parish as a whole.” Fr. Don Blaeser, O.F.M., Pastor, St. Francis Solanus, Quincy, IL
Stewardship and Growing
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST Catholic Stewardship Consultants (CSC) is an organization committed to developing Disciples of Christ through the practice of stewardship. For over 20 years, CSC has helped take stewardship to the next level in hundreds of parishes across the country, doing the heavy-lifting behind the scenes allowing pastors and parish staff the freedom to do what they do best — minister to their parishioners. The practice of stewardship — returning a portion of one’s time, talent and treasure back to God in gratitude for the gifts He has given us — is transforming parishioners’ lives. At CSC, we see stewardship lived every day at the parishes with whom we work, and the results they experience are nothing short of remarkable.
WITH CSC YOUR PARISH WILL EXPERIENCE: • Marked growth in engagement, discipleship and formation • We do the work for you • Increases in prayer, involvement, service and financial giving year after year
“Catholic Stewardship Consultants is the only organization I have found that truly understands the spirituality of Stewardship. In my work with them I have been deeply impressed with their commitment to the Church. We share the same vision of Stewardship – not as a campaign or program, but as a way of life. In their work with parishes, Catholic Stewardship Consultants uses the same approach I used at St. Francis of Assisi.” Msgr. Thomas McGread, the late Stewardship pioneer and Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Wichita, KS
FREQUENTLY ASKED WHAT T YPE OF PARISHES DO YOU WORK WITH? For over 20 years, we have worked with nearly every type of parish – large, small, clustered, inner-city, suburban, multi-lingual, those familiar with the concept of stewardship, those for which it was a radically new concept, and those who have only connected stewardship to finances in the past.
HOW MUCH OF OUR TIME WILL IT TAKE?
“CSC is not helping us do a program. They are helping us live the spirituality of stewardship. As a pastor, that’s what drew me to work with them.” Fr. Dave Zimmer, Pastor, St. Anthony, St. Katherine and St. Paul, Linton, ND
Parishes we work with gain access to our team of experienced professionals who understand what works when implementing stewardship at Catholic parishes. We do the work for you, so that you and your staff can stay focused on your responsibilities.
HOW DO WE GET STARTED?
All that’s needed to get started is a desire to grow disciples of Christ in your parish and a belief that stewardship can help them grow in their relationship with Christ.
WHEN WILL WE SEE RESULTS?
Every parish we work with sees results within the first year.
“In these modern times, I feel the whole Church needs a “shot in the arm,” and I believe that’s what the team at CSC offers. Working with CSC to develop stewardship provides the kind of hope that can reinvigorate parishioners and generate new energy.” Fr. Jeff McGowan, Pastor Emeritus, Queen of Peace Parish, Gainesville, FL
Questions
HOW CAN I JUSTIFY SPENDING MONEY TO FURTHER DEVELOP STEWARDSHIP? As many pastors have told us in the past: when you see how your work in developing stewardship is growing faithful disciples who grow in their Catholic faith and share their gifts, you’ll see that you can’t afford NOT to do it. “CSC provides accountability and focus for the stewardship efforts of our parish, continually moving us forward on our stewardship journey and helping us become better disciples of Christ.” Bill Siebers, St. Peter, Quincy, IL
“Almost all parishes are at the mercy of a very limited staff and resources, CSC does all the heavy lifting so that what is required of staff is minimal. We are able to give opportunities to our parishioners to share their time, talents, treasures so as to live out the Gospel more authentically. When we look at where we were nine years ago when we first began our relationship with CSC, the increase in all areas of parish life is very obvious and impressive. We essentially had the same number of parishioners nine years ago and yet our giving has doubled, our response rate has doubled and our ministry commitments have increased significantly as well. Educating our parishioners on stewardship is life-long, but I think it is very obvious that we are a stewardship parish.” Beth Kathol, Parish Business Manager, Catholic Church of the Ascension, Bismarck, ND
Stewardship
“I regularly recommend CSC to other pastors and parishes, because of the scope of work that can be accomplished for less than a full-time salary. Far more important is the collaborative nature of CSC with the parish, both focused directly on the fundamental work of the Church: supporting the ministry of faithful disciples who grow in faith and share their gifts. Initially, I said, “We can’t afford it.” However, now I see that we couldn’t afford NOT to partner with CSC.” Fr. Godfrey Mullen, Rector, St. Benedict Cathedral, Evansville, IN
Time
Spending Time with God in Prayer
STEWARDSHIP RENEWALS
Talent
Treasure
Using My Talents in Parish Ministries
Making a Consistent Gift to the Offertory
Prayer is the beginning of stewardship. Only You can read about each of the ministries listed when we spend (co time with God in prayer are we below in the Ministry Catalog. When you sign nued) = Curren spiritually preparednti to offer ourselves in service up, the ministry leader will call to explain how tly to Inv others. to get involved. olved Clearly = Interes write the ted in on the = Currently Involved = Interested in Joining first check the circle next Joi ningto your nam line. Please ntinued) of prayer: family = Curren Clearly write the(co commitmentse to first name of family member tlymember Involveon the line. Liturg d = icaL Attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Days Clearly Interes (contin write the ted in ued ForMation Music Joinin ) Attend weekday Mass at least once a weekon the lineFaitH firs t nam Ministr g . e of fam ies ily mem Adult Enrichment Spend 15 minutes a day in personal ber Adu prayer prayer Baptismal Preparation lt Cho ir one hour a month in Eucharistic GuSpend itar Gro Cen Godparent Programs tering ResAdorationup RCIA yer urrect Cha Pra Pray together ion (Fuwith my loved ones rism Chi neral) aticReligious Prayer Formation Program Cho ldre one meal a week Scr with ir my family Choir Sun Haven’s ipture Prep StuSacramental day dy Read Firs Hos the Bible for one hour a week
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A successful Stewardship Renewal is nothing less than an invitation to take a step closer to Christ. When used as a yearly opportunity for parishioner growth, Stewardship Renewals can dramatically increase parishioners’ prayer life, ministry involvement and financial giving.
Talent
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StewardSh renewal
In thanksgiving for God’s gifts, each household at Blessed Sacrament is asked to give a specific percentage of income based on the biblical tithe:
5% to Blessed Sacrament plus 1% to diocese
to other charities Disci4% pleship throug h Stewa rdship% My Offertory pledge to Blessed Sacrament:
Percentage of household income:
Please complete either a a weekly or monthly offertory gift:
pitality t Frid and $ Weekly gift x52 = $ annually yPray the Rosary atUsh least weekly Benedi ay Adoration ers sociaL ctioncare and pastoraL eo or Tec Go to confession every other month activit hni cians ies lessed BeFriender Ministries Fal Monthly gift $ x12 = $ annually l Fest Visiting Homebound Volunt atholicacrament Qu eer iltin Funeral Hospitality Ministries g Group hu rch Wo and Rol Foo men’s Weekly giving based on Pray ls for an increase in vocations Funeral Dinners Spring d Pantry Thing proportion of income. Comm Pray for our priests Hab My Off Cookie Ministry scHoo itmeneach household is asked eringAt Blessed Sacrament itat for L Minis of Tim t Huma tries Par e, Talgiving 5%Ca nity to work toward ofrd their income to ent & ish Nu Tre rseThe the parish. Some families may asuhave LiturgicaL Progra gift of my time, talent Central Par re difficulty Cathol m ish Thr reaching this goal at first. If so, try increasing ic Mid School ift Sto treasure is the right size: and First & Altar dleServers Prim your weekly gift incrementally until you reach /High re Last Nam e Time• When I can no longer make any excuses for Blesse an eamount that you know is right for you. Audio Technicians Group d Sacram ent Pre the size of the gift (large or small). Weekly Giving Chart otHer Children’s Word schoolLiturgy of thePho ne: Ho me and • When I can honestly state that the gift is Volunteer % of Hshld Income: 10% 5% 4% 1% Cell Bu sacrificial as I offer it in thanksgiving to God. Household Income Amount of Weekly Gift Church Decor ilding Email and Gro $30,000 $58 $29 $23 $6 Pra • When I can honestly state that in the giving of und Eucharistic Ministers s yer Gar $50,000 $96 $48 $38 $10 den my gift, I am being honest with God and with Yog $70,000 $135 $67 $54 $14 Lectors myself. a $100,000 $192 $96 $76 $19 Spo Continued on backuse panels : First group & Last Name Cat Spouse holic Dau Phone: Home ghters Kni and Cel ghts of l Colum Spouse Me bus : Email n’s Ear ly Morni ng Gro up Ministr
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PARISH NEWSLETTERS The most effective way for the stewardship message to soak into the minds and hearts of parishioners is through long-term, consistent formation. Parishioners begin to receive more formation on their Catholic faith, and learn about practical ways of applying it to their daily lives.
l Air at St. Ann Schoo Excitement in the for New Academic Year Faculty, Staff and Students
Ready
to a close, there’s an s summer break comes a new air — it might be excitement in the anticishoes. Maybe it’s the backpack or pair of a new teacher, or perhaps pation about meeting friends. to being reunited with it’s looking forward start St. Ann School, the For the children at opportuyear also brings an the of the new school and spiritually, as nity to grow academically help students incorto school fulfills its mission begindaily life. From the porate their faith into they are the final bell rings, ning of the day until knowldeeper, both in their encouraged to go faith. their in and Piledge, — Jesus, Our Rock, This year, our theme of the focus on the first Pillar lars of Faith — will for Catechism, the Creed. — He’s our foundation “Jesus is our Rock have we do, and once you who we are and for what with it,” you can do anything wn. a strong foundation Mrs. Mandy Thronas-Bro says our Principal, with ‘Pillar One: Creed,’ “This year, we’ll start focus on the We’ll beliefs?’ our asking, ‘What are Creed with the students.” 2 Nicene and Apostles’ on page
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ate Immacul ON CONCEPTI
SEP Contents: 2018
New Year’s Resolutions
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JAN/FEB 2019
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7 Friendship Luncheon Week 2019 Ministry at our racias al Ministerio Celebrates parish, de no one will have Almuerzos de AmistadEducation and to go through life without en nuestra parroquia, Our Parish nadie the blessings of tendrá que pasar faith, por la vida fellowship and sin las bendicione fun. From s de la fe, el providing live accordion compañerismo y la diversión. music to hosting Desde proporcion 2019 ar músicaJanuary festive holiday de acordeón hasta meals, organizar this outreach unites comidas festivas, este our parish family une a nuestra familia alcance in a parroquial beautiful way. de una manera hermosa. “The Friendship “El Ministerio del Luncheon Ministry Almuerzo de way for those who la Amistad ofrece gives a aquellos que están are lonesome or un camino para fellowship to get looking for solos o que buscan out and spend para compañeri salir y pasar tiempo smo time with others,” says Trish Curran, Curran, quien coordina con otros,” dijo Trish who coordinate s the ministry along with a number el ministerio junto voluntarios fieles. of faithful volunteers con varios provides good “¡Proporciona buena . “It food, good company, compañía y un comida, buena buen entorno!” surroundings!” and good El Ministerio del Almuerzo de la The Friendship Amistad se reúne mensualm Luncheon Ministry ente en la Catedral Mary’s Cathedral meets at St. on generalmente el de Santa María, segundo martes the second Tuesday a monthly basis, usually on de cada mes. Después de la misa of each month. 11 a.m. Healing Following the de sanación a las Mass, all are welcome son bienvenido s al Salón Parroquial 11 a.m., todos the Parish Hall to come to for a potluck meal. compartida. La para una comida comida a menudo features a holiday The presenta un tema de vacaciones. theme. For example, meal often Por ejemplo, en in honor of Patricio, honor al Día de se preparan una San continued on back deliciosa comida cover de ternera continúa en la contraporta da
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when we time of year es to new his is the commit ourselvlook back traditionally We and goals. things resolutions plans to do and make exercise upon the past or develop a new ing like lose weight the hopes of increasBut in happiness. routine, all we’re health and overall Year’s zeal, ant our in our New sometimes the most import al of forgetting , our spiritu in danger life — namely aspect of new time for a wellbeing. is l,” Year “The New spiritual renewa to include when a time for it’s good e. “So reading beginnings, resolutions, John Wakubthose New Year’s Rosary more, says Fr. , praying the ion.” are making as daily prayeror Eucharistic adorat parishioners for us to as well, such study ant ways spiritual things a parish Bible Fr. John, are import ing our activity or attending says by increas tings of the Bible, al resolutions,as a way of life. And the promp spiritu tune with These to the e stewardship ly become more in to respond of and willing aneous further embrac we simult more aware e parish becom on page 5 the in continued helping us nities. larger commu the Holy Spirit, parish and needs of our
CATHOLIC CHU RCH
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IN THIS ISSUE 2 Stewards hip Hannah, the Good Steward 3 New Year’s Resolution s 4 Our Godparent Program Provides Youth with Mentors in Faith 6 Drawing From the Traditions of Spirituality in Our Catholic Church 7 Blessed Sacrament Thrift Store Taking Donations and Willing Volunteers!
AS WE ENT ER THE NEW YEA R, WE HAV E MAN Y OPP ORT UNIT IES TO
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EMB RAC E STE WA RDS HIP
his is the time of year when need to continue we traditionally doing it for commit another 10 years. ourselves to new But that’s resolutions not always the and goals. We case. Sometime look back upon s we’re being called the past and make to spread new plans our wings and to do things like fly a little. And lose weight that’s only possible or develop a new if we really exercise open ourselves regime, all in the up to the Holy hopes of Spirit, to seek His increasing our overall health guidance on what new opportuni and happiness. Similarly, says ties we’re being called Fr. Marty Egging, to take on the New Year — opportunities is the ideal time for prayer, to reflect anew fellowship and upon our stewardsh service.” ip calling, looking honestly Though we certainly at the say “yes” to everything can’t we’ve given of ourselves ways , an in the important part past and opening of stewardship our hearts is continually discernin to new avenues of growth and g the time, we can each ways we feel called service. do our part to use our by perhaps chewing gifts and treasures “The start of a off a bit for God’s year gives us more this year. glory. After all, a new chance to says Fr. Marty, begin again,” “Maybe you’re we aren’t called Fr. Marty says. going to take to be merely “So often we the bite of learning “bumps on a log” think that just more about because but rather your faith, taking “active, living members” done things a certain we’ve advantage way of of some of our Christ’s Church. for the last 10 Bible studies years, that we And just as or adult faith formation you eat an elephant one bite at opportunities,” Fr. Marty says. continued on back
STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT An effective Stewardship Council is an important component in your parish’s stewardship efforts. CSC will thoroughly train and form the members of this vital team and empower them to lead by example.
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SERVICES PARISH SURVEYS
PARISH RETREATS
A well-administered survey is the best way to find out what parishioners truly think about life in the parish and uncover their needs. Using statistical analysis and insight, we provide you with comprehensive results and recommendations to help you best build disciples.
Our retreats are held on-site at your parish and focus on stewardship and discipleship. Led by our committed team of priests and deacons, the aim of each retreat is to foster personal conversion and help parishioners grow closer to Christ.
St. Vincent de Dear Parishioner
Paul 2018 Paris
h Survey
s,
St. Vincent de Paul is conducting so that we can a survey to understand build the needs and opinions and I want to thank an even more vibrant parish of parishioners community. Your you in advance opinions matter for spending the a great deal, time to complete A wide range of this survey. subjects are covered Your candid and in thoughtful answers this questionnaire. various areas. will help us assess Please to openly communicatake advantage of this opportunity Completing Your Survey te your personal views. • One survey The data from has this to each registered been mailed and we will create survey will be carefully analyzed, a household. report that gives a comprehens Husbands and assessment of our ive complete the survey wives may publish the results parish. In the summer, we will together. in one of the parish you can see the newsletters so input of your fellow • Please return parishioners. your completed survey by July, Thank you for 31, 2018. your continue to bless faithful participation, and may you, your family God • You may either family. and our entire parish envelope provided mail it in the the offertory basket. or drop it in Grace and Peace,
erine & St. Paul St. KathSurvey St. Anthony,2018 Parish Msgr. Robert Tucker Pastor
St. John Before the LatinGate
• Keep in mind that all responses are confidential .
the needs and a survey to understand Your St. Paul are conductingmore vibrant parish community.time to Katherine and build an even for spending the St. Anthony, St. so that we can you in advance I want to thank opinions of parishioners a great deal, and opinions matter Survey complete this survey. Completing Your covered in this of subjects are will has been mailed A wide range thoughtful answers of • One survey Your candid and household. questionnaire. Please take advantage to each registeredwives may various areas. personal assess your e us help Husbands and to openly communicat together. this opportunity complete the survey views. Dear Parishioners , your completed be carefully analyzed, • Please return this survey will 31, 2018. a comprehensive The data from survey by August St. John Before a report that gives will publish the the Latin Gate we and we will create is conducting a parishioners parish. In the fall, thethat so you can see mail it in so survey to assessment of our we can build an • You may either a great in even more vibrant understand the needs and opinions of the parish newsletters deal,itand or drop . I want to thank results in one parish community. of envelope provided you in advance fellow parishioners Your opinions matter for spending the the input of your the offertory basket. time to complete A wide range of , and may God this survey. subjects are covered parish your faithful participation Your in this questionnai responses candid that all and our entire and thoughtful Thank you for re. • Keep in mindvarious you, your family areas. Please take answers will help us assess . continue to bless are confidentialto openly advantage of this Completing Your opportunity communicate your family. Survey personal views. The Christ, • One survey in data Yours from this has and we will create survey will be carefully analyzed, to each registered been mailed a report that gives household. assessment of Husbands and a comprehensive our parish. In wives may the summer, we publish the results complete the survey will in one of the parish together. you can see the newsletters so Fr. David Zimmer input of your fellow • Please return parishioners. Pastor your completed Thank you for survey by April your 8, 2019. continue to bless faithful participation, and may God you, your family family. and our entire parish • You may either envelope provided mail it in the the offertory basket. or drop it in Grace and Peace, ,
Dear Parishioners
2019 Parish Survey
Fr. John O’Neill Pastor
• Keep in mind that all responses are confidential .
STEWARDSHIP CONFERENCES Each year we conduct conferences across the country bringing together pastors and lay leaders to better understand and implement stewardship as a way of life. These conferences focus on best practices and feature pastors and lay leaders from model stewardship parishes to share their stories of success.
SOCIAL MEDIA CSC will develop social media content for you to better educate parishioners via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other online platforms. Our content will engage followers and invite them to become more active in parish life.
THECATHOLICSTEWARD.COM Our blog, TheCatholicSteward.com, is a free resource for parishes to use to help further develop stewardship formation, both for parish leaders and the entire parish.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS Often, it is necessary for parishes to conduct a capital campaign in order to construct new buildings, provide capital improvements, facilitate debt reduction, or raise funds for other reasons. We partner with our clients to incorporate such projects into the overall stewardship development of the parish so everything flows together seamlessly and messages do not conflict.
CSC HAS WORKED WITH PARISH CLIENTS IN THE FOLLOWING
ARCHDIOCESES and DIOCESES
Diocese of Birmingham, AL Diocese of Little Rock, AR Diocese of Phoenix, AZ Diocese of Oakland, CA Diocese of San Jose, CA Diocese of Fresno, CA Archdiocese of Los Angeles, CA Archdiocese of San Fransisco, CA Archdiocese of Denver, CO Diocese of St. Augustine, FL Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, FL Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL Diocese of Orlando, FL Diocese of Palm Beach, FL Archdiocese of Miami, FL Archdiocese of Atlanta, GA Diocese of Savannah, GA Diocese of Honolulu, HI Archdiocese of Dubuque, IA Diocese of Davenport, IA Archdiocese of Chicago, IL Diocese of Joliet, IL Diocese of Peoria, IL Diocese of Rockford, IL Diocese of Springfield, IL Diocese of Evansville, IN Archdiocese of Indianapolis, IN Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS Diocese of Salina, KS Archdiocese of Louisville, KY Diocese of Covington, KY
Archdiocese of New Orleans, LA Diocese of Fall River, MA Archdiocese of Boston, MA Diocese of Worcester, MA Diocese of St. Cloud, MN Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN Diocese of New Ulm, MN Archdiocese of St. Louis, MO Diocese of Charlotte, NC Diocese of Bismarck, ND Diocese of Fargo, ND Diocese of Grand Island, NE Diocese of Lincoln, NE Archdiocese of Omaha, NE Diocese of Buffalo, NY Diocese of Rochester, NY Diocese of Cleveland, OH Archdiocese of Cincinnati, OH Archdiocese of Portland, OR Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, OK Diocese of Tulsa, OK Diocese of Nashville, TN Diocese of Charleston, SC Diocese of Ft. Worth, TX Diocese of Dallas, TX Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, TX Diocese of Arlington, VA Archdiocese of Washington, DC Archdiocese of Seattle, WA Diocese of Madison, WI Diocese of Cheyenne, WY
Catholic Stewardship Consultants Developing Stewardship as a Way of Life
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