Parishes on the Prairie Community Members Attend Renowned Stewardship Conference

When Fr. Greg Paffel invited the parish Stewardship Committee to attend the Msgr. Thomas McGread Stewardship Conference in Wichita, Kan., St. Paul’s Parishioner Sally Ross thought she had emailed to say she could not attend. But the email was in drafts and never sent. Sally took this as a sign she was meant to go, so she attended the conference in August along with Fr. Greg, Adam and Shari Saltmarsh, Charlotte Johnson, and Janet Zenzen, all from Sauk Centre. Several folks from other communities also rode in the two-van caravan.

Sally enjoyed the speakers and time for reflection at the conference. In turn, she learned a lot about practical ways to promote stewardship.

“The purpose of stewardship is to bring people closer to God,” says Sally, who has been on the Stewardship Committee for two years. “And it will become a way of life.”

As Sally points out, we need to give time back to God, as we all have 24 hours in a day. She implores all parishioners to find a way to use their gifts to serve our parishes.

“Be grateful and generous with the gifts God gave us,” she says. “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

Stewardship is personally important to Sally, and she’s thankful to have had the chance to learn more about integrating stewardship in our faith community. She learned about the Pillars of Parish Stewardship — Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service.

“Stewardship gives us the opportunity to do good deeds every day of our life,” she says.

The site of the conference — held at the Diocese of Wichita’s Spiritual Life Center — offered attendees a lot of space for prayer and reflection. Sally especially appreciated the opportunity to walk the grounds, enjoy the Way of the Cross stations and spend time in Eucharistic Adoration.

In addition to serving on the Stewardship Committee, Sally gives of her time as a substitute for Eucharistic Adoration, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, a funeral meal helper, and a Teen Intercessory Prayer (TIP) volunteer.

Since attending the conference, Sally has been spending more time in prayer and has been attending daily Mass more often. Sally and her husband, Randy, have also been attending Sunday Mass early to have time to pray the Rosary. Sally learned that “prayer is the center of the steward’s life.”

Sally is thankful to have had the opportunity to attend the Stewardship Conference. It allowed her to learn more about stewardship and to share her faith with others.

“The more we talk and share our faith with others, the more we grow in our faith,” she says.

Sally Ross with her husband, Randy, and their children and grandchildren

Sally Ross and her husband, Randy