A Look Back at Our 2021 Stewardship Renewal: Moving Forward with Great Conviction

As we adapt to these ever-changing times, we must remember to hold fast to what St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans: “…we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

Although parish life may not look the same as it did two years ago, we must move forward with conviction, armed with the confidence that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide our St. Benedict Cathedral community and allow us to persevere despite the challenges we may face.

These 2021 Stewardship Renewal results are a testament to this sense of perseverance and renewal at St. Benedict Cathedral. For our parish community, the Stewardship Renewal was an opportunity to discern how we are using our gifts of time, talent, and treasure in service to the parish and in return to God.

This month, we are happy to share with you some of the highlights of the Stewardship Renewal. As you review these results, 1 Corinthians 12 might come to mind, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord.” The Holy Spirit is working in the hearts of our St. Benedict parishioners as we have committed to giving God our time, talent, and treasure.

• There were 304 commitment cards received from 42 percent of active households.

• There were 2,301 prayer commitments — the stewardship of time — from 90 percent of participating households.

• Some of the prayer commitments included:

▫ “Attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days,” 246 commitments

▫ “Spend 15 minutes a day in personal prayer or more,” 208 commitments

▫ “Pray for the sick of our parish,” 187 commitments

▫ “Pray for our priest(s),” 184 commitments

▫ “Pray for my country daily,” 175 commitments

• There were 1,077 ministry commitments — the stewardship of talent — from 80 percent of participating households. Of these, 215 were new ministry commitments, while 862 were recommitments to parish ministries.

• Some of the ministry commitments included:

▫ Summer Social Volunteer, 132 commitments

▫ Funeral Luncheon Ministry, 87 commitments

▫ Cookie Disciples, 62 commitments

▫ Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, 60 commitments

▫ Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 43 commitments

▫ Prayer Chain, 42 commitments

▫ Lector, 37 commitments

▫ School Volunteer, 37 commitments

▫ Mass Greeters, 33 commitments

▫ Ushers, 32 commitments

• There were 266 offertory commitments — the stewardship of treasure — from 88 percent of participating households. The average pledge was $3,317.

We thank all those who participated in our 2021 Stewardship Renewal here at St. Benedict Cathedral. If you did not have the opportunity to fill out and return a commitment card, we invite you to consider the ways you may share your gifts of time, talent, and treasure with God and the parish community!

If you have any questions about the 2021 Stewardship Renewal, or if you would like more information about stewardship opportunities at St. Benedict Cathedral, please call the parish office at 812-425-3369. Ministry information may also be found on our parish website at www.saintbenedictcathedral.org.