2 Stewardship: What to do With a Windfall?
3 If Not Stewards, Then What Are We?
4 Questions & Answers About Our Annual Stewardship Renewal
6 Join the Ranks and Honor the Dignity of Life in October
7 Join Us for the Masquerade Ball on Oct. 22 and Support Our Parish School
a ministry at Our Lady of the Assumption, and Pat DeBruyn has probably been part of it! A parish ioner here for 65 years, Pat joined the Stewardship Com mittee to represent the senior citizen population at Our Lady of the Assumption.
The Stewardship Committee exists to promote steward ship, and members are to live as good Christian stewards themselves — freely sharing their time, talent and treasure. Pat has that part down, currently serving as a lector, greeter, and member of various groups — the Christian Medita tion group, People Enjoying Retirement Together, Martha & Mary Gathering, and Social Committee. She also helps with funeral luncheons by calling people from a list of volunteers to make sure people are there to set up, serve, and clean up. Each of these ministries is important to Pat. The theme that runs through all of her service and involvement is her commitment to building community at Our Lady of the Assumption.
“Friendships are part of your faith,” Pat says. “That is how we support each other. It’s important to get to know one another.”
A parishioner here for 65 years, Pat DeBruyn recently joined the Stewardship Committee to represent the senior citizen population at Our Lady of the Assumption.
Of all the ministries in which Pat has been involved over the years, her favorite has been the Bereavement Ministry — she enjoyed leading families through the funeral planning process. She reluctantly stepped away because it got to be a bit too much work for her. She also loved bringing Communion to those who are homebound.
“I’ve just never not been involved,” Pat says. “I guess I don’t know any differ ent.”
While not raised Catholic, Pat attended Catholic school. She fell in love with the Catholic Church and asked to become Catholic in sixth grade.
Abusinessman sells some property for a nice profit. A woman retires from a 20-year career at age 43. A high school student discovers he has an exceptional talent for playing the piano. What do they have in common?
Each person has recently received a windfall — an unusu ally large gain of money, time, or talent. Now each must answer a question — what to do with this newfound gain?
The businessman, already somewhat financially successful, finds that the profit from the sale of rental property is unexpectedly large. For the first time, he feels an urge not to save it, but to share it. The next Sunday, even though he already contributes to his par ish, he puts a larger sum in the offertory basket. He also knows of a local charity that supports low-income mothers, and mails them a generous donation.
After her retirement from the Air Force, a woman finds she has a large amount of time during the day. Her husband works full-time and her two children are in high school. She hears a quiet voice asking, “How can you give back for all that you have received?” She calls her pastor and explains that she has the time to play a significant role in a parish ministry. He asks her
to re-invigorate their newcomer’s ministry and visit each new family, to which she happily agrees.
In his high school music class, a 10th-grader discov ers an amazing talent to play piano. After encourage ment from family and friends, he joins the ensemble at the Sunday morning Mass. He even volunteers to play at special functions at the parish when needed.
In all three cases, the businessman, retiree and student have received something of value, and have made deliberate choices to share it with others, particularly within their parish.
Of course, it could have been different. The businessman could have taken an especially extravagant vacation. The woman could have done any number of things with her free time (couldn’t we all?). The young pianist could have used his talent to form a band or make a recording. And the truth is that they can still do all those things. But having received such wonderful gifts, their gratitude compels them to share a portion of them. After all, what do they lose by sharing what was already a gift to them from God?
We’re all gifted and are called to share on a daily basis. But when the big blessings come, let’s pray for the grace to be even more generous than ever.
As a stewardship parish, it is import ant to ask how well we understand the message of stewardship that keeps surfacing in all we do in our personal life and the life of our parish. If not stewards, then what are we? If not disciples of Jesus Christ, then what purpose do we serve as members of His Holy Catholic Church? Aren’t these intriguing questions for any believer? And if not, why aren’t they?
God’s goodness and the gifts given to each of us shouldn’t be taken for granted. Our lives should be motivated by our gratitude for all we have, including every opportunity that gives glory and honor to God. Those opportunities are given at each moment of each day. Wait for them and expect them to become obvious. The idea of being a steward of those gifts and opportunities isn’t new to the realm of believers in the Old Testament or the New Testament. And certainly, the Gos pels of Jesus Christ make it quite clear that our Lord views us to be the stew ards He expects us to be. His stories and parables confirm it. So, if you cannot or
will not see yourself as “that” steward He invites you to be, then what are you? I am curious about those who reject being that steward. I am even more curious about what they believe are the other options.
I am still in awe of the first line in the U.S. Bishops’ pastoral letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, that boldly states: “Once one has decided to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, stewardship is not an option.” They were so convinced that the stewardship way of life is a disciple’s way
of life. And yet, that is what we are and have always been.
“If not stewards, then what?” remains a challenging statement to invite us to reflect on what our Catholic faith is call ing us to experience and participate in for the time we are given on this earth. It challenges us to face our reflection in the mirror of this life given to us by God and see what our Lord sees in us, and then embrace the opportunities being handed to us each day of our lives. Blessings and challenges await us, and no matter what the balance may be from day to day, our God equips us with all we need. He cre ated us and sees us as stewards. Why would we dare resist seeing ourselves in the way our God sees us?
Connecting stewardship and disci pleship is inevitable in my book. For that matter, it is inevitable in the “Good Book,” which we identify and recognize as the Word of God. It matters to our God what we do with the gifts He so gener ously gives to each of us. Why would it not matter to us? I ask you to take some time to refocus, reevaluate and re-com mit yourself to the faithfulness of the life, the time, the talent, and the treasure you have been given.
We are the stewards of those precious gifts. What are we doing with them?
Sincerely yours in Christ, Father Eduino Silveira Pastor
Once again, it’s time for our Annual Stewardship Renewal. You may be asking yourself, “Didn’t we just have a Stewardship Renewal? Aren’t we sufficiently ‘renewed’ by now?” Yes, we had a Stewardship Renewal last year, and we’re going to have one next year, too! This is an annual occurrence — part of the rhythm of parish life at Our Lady of the Assumption. Just as the Church proposes a time of spiritual renewal each Lent, we believe in the importance of a yearly examination of commitment. How is the Lord calling you to use your time, talent, and treasure this year?
My age or physical limitations prevent me from being active in the parish. Should I still turn in a Commit ment Card?
Yes! The first section of the card — Stewardship of Time — is the most important because it allows you to make commitments to prayer . Even if you can’t join a ministry or make it to Mass on Sunday, you can still pray for our parish family. Your spiritual support has tremendous value in the eyes of God.
One time I turned in a card, but no one ever called me when I signed up for a ministry.
If this happened in the past, please forgive us! And don’t give up on filling out your Commitment Card! We have a very good plan to call every person inter ested in joining a new ministry. If for some reason the ministry leader does not call you within four weeks of turning in your card, let the parish office know.
Your Commitment Card allows you to make com mitments to prayer, parish ministries, and offertory giv ing. It is designed to be used by the whole family.
Time Section : Except for the ill and homebound, everyone should be able to check “Come to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days.” Try to check at least a few other items. Daily prayer should be a priority for every person trying to grow closer to God.
Talent Section : You can either sign up for new min istries or re-commit to your current ministries. Be sure to write your first name next to the ministry! This is especially important if the card is being used by more than one person.
Treasure Section : Clearly print how much money you plan to give each week or month to our parish. Try to take a step toward giving five percent of your income to Our Lady of the Assumption.
Your gift is entirely dependent on how much God has given you. At Our Lady of the Assumption, we ask that you give 5 percent of your income to the offertory, and then independently give 4 percent to other char ities and 1 percent to the Diocesan Annual Catholic Appeal. In this way, we entrust our plans and ourselves in a unique way to God and His providence in our lives. Most of all, we give because we believe God comes first in everything, even finances.
What if I can’t fulfill my financial pledge?
While our pledge is not a “contract,” we should all make a good-faith effort to fulfill it. Of course, if your financial circumstances change — if you lose your job, for instance — then the amount of money you give the Church will change, too. Likewise if you get a raise or bonus. The biggest reason many people don’t fulfill
their pledge is that they attend Mass at another par ish when they go on vacation, attend a wedding, etc. If you’re out of town, just make up for the missed Sunday when you write your next check to the par ish. Using your envelopes is a good way to see which Sundays you missed.
I don’t even go to Mass very frequently. Why turn in a Commitment Card?
Because this is your chance to turn over a new leaf! Why not make a commitment to God to come to Mass every Sunday, and then write down that commitment? Even if that’s the only commitment you make, take a step forward. Jesus Himself is wait ing for you!
What happens if I don’t return my Commitment Card?
We will mail you a reminder letter and encour age you to participate. Make every effort you can to return a card. Our Stewardship Renewal is a very important annual event in the life of our parish. You and your family are part of what makes Our Lady of the Assumption a great community! Most impor tantly, your commitments are actually promises to Christ Himself. All of us are called to give back to God a portion of what He has given us.
Every parish family receives a special “Stewardship Package” in the mail that further explains our parish’s vision of stewardship. It includes a booklet that describes every ministry in the parish, as well as your Commitment Card.
AllCatholics are called to action — this month, and beyond. October is Respect Life Month. And as we face the looming culture of death, we are all summoned to action. An apostolic exhortation by Pope St. John Paul II, titled Ecclesia in America, described this culture of death’s effects on the “powerless” within American society:
“I am thinking here of unborn children, helpless victims of abortion; the elderly and the incurably ill, subjected at times to euthanasia; and the many other people relegated to the margins of society by consumerism and material ism. Nor can I fail to mention the unnecessary recourse to the death penalty… Faced with this distressing reality, the Church community intends to commit itself all the more to the defense of the culture of life” (Ecclesia in America, 63).
Respect Life Month is the perfect time to prayerfully exam ine our consciences in light of these critical issues, which directly violate the dignity of the human person. This includes not only the evil of abortion, but also euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, capital punishment, and contraception — all of which are vital contributors to the pervasive culture of death.
So we must individually ask ourselves, “Do I, in my personal, day-to-day choices, respect life? If so, do I boldly proclaim this belief or merely stand idle? Do I exercise my right to vote and support candidates who promote a culture of life? Am I known within my home, family, and/or work place as someone that respects life?”
As with every movement of a Christian heart towards goodness, it is imperative that our efforts begin with a prayerful foundation. The work of the Holy Spirit allows us to receive the zeal necessary to promote the sanctity of human life, even in the face of suffering.
This October, please pray for a revitalization of the cul ture of life. Every night, as a family, meditate on the prayer from John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae. As you pray, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with apostolic bold ness, and ask the Lord to guide your heart towards ways in which you can personally contribute to the culture of life. The call is clear, the stakes are set, and all Catholics are summoned to action. How will you respond?
O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.
— Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae
Pope St. John Paul II’s Prayer for the Revitalization of the Culture of LifeAnyone affiliated with Our Lady of the Assump tion School knows that it’s an extraordinary place providing only the best for its students. The school is a ministry of our parish, through which students have the opportunities to excel academically and grow in faith. But that education comes with a price beyond what fam ilies pay in tuition. Parishioners have a chance to support the school at the annual Masquerade Ball, to be held this year on Oct. 22 at the school.
This event bridges the gap between tuition and the actual cost of education. Fundraisers like this mean that tuition can stay lower. This adults-only event also provides a great opportunity to meet other parents and parishioners — it’s a win-win. The event includes dinner, dancing, and silent and live auctions. There are always travel opportunities, events, and experiences on the live auction. The silent auction includes baskets, items for children, wine, and more. Local businesses also provide generous donations to both auctions.
Kelsey Khov and her husband have three children attending the school. She took over as one of three live auction chairs for this year’s ball.
“I am looking forward to our OLA community com ing together for a fun night, as well as raising money for our school,” Kelsey says. “These donations keep our
tuition down and help provide resources needed for our kids to receive the best education possible.”
Kelsey hopes everyone, especially school parents, will consider attending. Not only does their attendance directly impact the school, but it also makes for a fun night to see old friends and make new ones.
“We are so blessed to have a lot of families give so much of their time to the school,” she says. “It feels good to be a part of that.”
Sara Cook and her husband also have three children attending Our Lady of the Assumption School. They are coming up on their 11th year of having a child at the school, and Sara got involved with the auction to give back in a big way.
“The auction is such an important event to keep tui tion down and allow for new amenities at the school,” Sara says. “It’s a great way to connect with the OLA community and give my time to something that benefits the school.”
With two children at the school, Carla Shults got involved with the auction to lend a hand for a place that means a lot to her and her family. She looks forward to a fun and glamorous evening with friends.
“It is a great way to make a stronger bond with OLA families and our parish community,” Carla says.
sure to visit school.olaparish.net for more information.
5057 Cottage Way Carmichael, CA 95608
(916) 481-5115 | olaparish.net
MASS TIMES:
8:00 a.m. Daily Mass
Monday-Friday and first Saturday
Saturday 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass
Sunday Mass
7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
*See website for diocesan and county guidelines.
The priest told her she was too young to make that decision. She would attend services with her mom at the First Christian Church, then head across the street to attend Catholic Mass. She became Catholic as a senior in high school. Pat’s mother became Catholic later in life.
Having been a parishioner at Our Lady of the Assumption for decades, Pat loves the people here. She truly feels a sense of community.
“There’s something for everyone here,” she says. “There’s all different personalities — some love adoration, Lectio Divina or Bible study, to name a few. There are so many ways to get involved.”
She was especially excited to hear about the relatively new Play and Pray Ministry, which meets at the park after 9 a.m.
Mass. Pat believes it’s a simple ministry that can have a signif icant impact.
“I am really impressed with the young people of this par ish,” she says.
Pat feels blessed to have been involved in so many parish ministries, and she is thankful for all the people she’s met along the way.
“I always want to do something if people ask me, even if I may be reluctant,” Pat says. “I like being social, and I like the feeling of serving.”
Pat’s first husband, Dave, passed away in 1998. She married her current husband, Jerry, in 2004. Pat has four daughters and four grandchildren, one of whom passed away. In her free time, she enjoys puzzles, reading, traveling, and going to the theatre.
“Friendships are part of your faith. That is how we support each other. It’s important to get to know one another.”
