Reflections Summer 2014

...recognizing our gifts of time, talent and treasure

Summer 2014

reflections... a newsletter from the Stewardship and Development Office

Teen

Emily Bow lin

We, the Diocese of Austin, through the Word and Eucharist, prayer, formation and education, social ministries and advocacy, embrace diverse cultures throughout the diocese so that together, as the Catholic Church, we may continue the mission of Christ in the world today.

Stewardship and Development Office Diocese of Austin

6225 Highway 290 E. Austin, TX 78723 (512) 949-2400

Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez Bishop of Austin

Scott Whitaker Director of Stewardship and Development

Danielle Madrid Associate Director of Stewardship and Annual Appeal

Jean Bondy Associate Director of Catholic School Development

The Catholic Diocese of Austin

Throughout the Diocese of Austin, ministry for youth and young adults is working to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Through programs, which foster personal and spiritual growth, such as youth groups, Life Teen, Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC), and others, young people are being drawn to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.

Emily Bowlin, 14, is a freshman in high school. She attends Ascension Parish in Bastrop and is homeschooled. She is an active participant in several youth activities at her parish. Below, she recounts her experience with her Life Teen youth group:

My experience with Life Teen has been truly amazing! I first experienced Life Teen at neighboring parish. Although I didn’t know anyone in the group, they were welcoming and open to everyone.

The group was very helpful, and gave us great advice on how to get our own chapter started. Shortly after this visit, we formed a group at Ascension Parish, which rapidly grew.

We meet every Saturday night and we almost always learn something new! Our leaders are super nice and answer all of our questions, even the simple ones. They will gladly answer any question and are willing to explore topics in depth so we can not only get a better understanding of the issue, but {continued on page 2}

Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

1 Tm 4:12 diocese of austin

2014

October 5-8 | Orlando, Florida

Network

Stewards of

The ICSC annual conference is widely recognized as the most valuable opportunity for those involved in Christian stewardship to connect with others who share their commitment to teaching stewardship as a way of life. Many say meeting others with similar experiences is the main reason they attend the ICSC Conference!

Learn

Stewarding Our Families at Home and in the Church

The ICSC annual conference is filled with sessions and forums that provide practical information you can take home and use immediately. You will be exposed not only to topics that offer fundamentals but also new ideas, innovations and strategies!

Grow

{continued from page 1} also be able to explain these issues to others. In addition to our regular meetings and educational opportunities, we also have parties, field trips, and have groups that come and have retreats with us.

In our regular meetings we learn about all types of things, including theological topics and how to pray in order to better ourselves. It’s really wonderful to be able to have opportunities to strengthen ourselves for the future and be equipped with the tools of the Lord. Through the formation I have received in Life Teen, I feel able to stand strong in my faith, and also able to bring others to the Lord. We have also had meetings that focused on how to read the Bible and benefit from it even more. We have discussed the people in the Bible and how we can compare ourselves to them and learn from them.

Many times we have done skits and plays on Bible stories and prayers, such as the Our Father. These skits have delved into the meaning of each text, explaining every line and what it means, bringing Bible scenes to life, and portraying different sins and what we can do to stop committing those sins and try to be better people.

Having the opportunities to have a strong church community and the people to help me understand my faith has really helped me grow as a person, and to be a better daughter of Christ. I am so thankful to be able to have a place to pray and talk with others, have debates, parties, and ultimately grow stronger in my faith.

The ICSC annual conference is a great opportunity to get away from your busy schedule to pray, reflect on your own life of faith, listen to inspiring reflections and participate in invigorating liturgies!

REGISTER TODAY!

Register online at www.catholicstewardship.com or call ICSC toll free at 1.800.352.3452

1.800.352.3452

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International Catholic 1275 K Street NW Suite 880 Stewardship Council Washington DC 20005-4083 2

SUMMER 2014

Growing a Christian Steward Who is a Christian disciple? One who responds to Christ’s call, follows Jesus, and shapes their life in imitation of Christ’s. Who is a Christian steward? One who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord.

Stewardship is part of discipleship. But Christian discipleship begins with vocation, the call to follow Jesus and imitate his way of life. Discipleship and the practice of stewardship constitute a way of life that is both privileged and challenging.

Stewardship as a way of life engages in two human activities that are fundamental to the Christian vocation: collaborating with God in the work of creation and cooperating with God in the work of redemption.

This work is accomplished both by the individual steward and by the community of faith, the People of God, which is formed by the New Covenant in and through Christ. Each member of the Church shares in responsibility for its mission; each is called to practice stewardship of the Church.

Adapted from Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, Copyright 2002, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

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Genesis tells us that God placed the first human beings in a garden to practice stewardship there – “to cultivate and care for it” (Gn 2:15). The world remains a kind of garden entrusted to the care of men and women for God’s glory and the service of humankind. In its simplest yet deepest sense, this is Christian stewardship.

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1271-1336

Elizabeth of Portugal Optional Memorial – July 4

Born into a royal family, St. Elizabeth was married at a very young age to the king of Portugal and had two children. She was a woman of deep piety and had a gift for bringing about reconciliation between opposing factions. She helped bring peace in many situations—between her husband and their rebellious son, between the king of Aragon and his cousin who sought to claim that throne, and between her son, after he became king, and the King of Castile. She also used her position and influence to do good works, founding a hospital, a home for wayward girls, an orphanage, and a monastery for the Poor Clares. Scripture says, “Much will be required of a person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more” (Lk 12:48). This saintly queen had many gifts and used them all—gifts of piety and personality that made her so effective a peacemaker—to serve the Lord.

St. Elizabeth, help us with your prayers to bring God’s peace to our own turbulent times.

Adapted from Sharon Hueckel, Steward Saints for Every Day, Copyright © 1999, the National Catholic Stewardship Council, Inc., Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

sUMMER 2014

Plan Ahead For Charitable Giving Summer is an excellent time to get ahead of your charitable contributions for the year. A little planning throughout the year can go a long way to avoid the last-minute rush of year-end giving. Here are five steps to consider as you pursue your charitable goals over 2014 and beyond:

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Establish automatic plans Some charities allow you to make periodic contributions automatically using a credit card or a bank debit. You may find it easier to make a larger donation when you give a little bit at a time. Check with your favored charities to see if an automatic plan is available so you can implement a regular giving strategy. Not only does this approach make it easier for you, it also helps the charity as they receive systematic donations throughout the year.

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Make a plan Just like other aspects of your financial life, most of your charitable giving should meet specific goals you have in mind. Take some time to assess the causes you would most like to support and determine your giving priorities. You also may want to set aside a percentage that you’d like to donate.

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Understand the tax ramifications The general rule of thumb is that most charitable gifts can only be deducted from your taxes if you itemize deductions. Those who don’t itemize deductions can still save on taxes by gifting appreciated assets to charity. This may be particularly effective for those with higher incomes who would be subject to an accelerated capital gains tax rate of 20 percent.

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Another important tax consideration is a restriction on itemized deductions for higher income individuals known as the Pease Provision. You should check with your tax adviser to learn more about how this rule could affect the tax benefit of your contributions.

Explore the potential for employer-matching donations Some employers provide matching donations (up to a certain amount) of your own contributions to a specific charity.

It multiplies your gift and can make a big difference for charities. Do your homework and make sure you’re taking advantage of this benefit.

Consider the longer term Charitable giving isn’t simply a year-to-year strategy. As you get older, you want to think about how you can effectively manage your estate, while also benefiting your favorite causes. Vehicles such as Charitable Remainder Trusts can help you leave a legacy that will last well beyond your lifetime. Discuss these matters with your financial, legal and tax advisers to see what options might work best for you.

Rey Garza, is a Financial Adviser with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Austin, Texas, specializing in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies. He may be reached at (512) 691-5912.

UPCOMING DIOCESAN EVENTS IS ONLINE! Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device, or visit www.austindiocese.org/reflections to read the latest issue.

diocese of austin

July 19 6th Annual Men’s Mass, St. Mary Cathedral

August 15 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

September 10 Assembly of Catholic Professionals Luncheon Hyatt Regency, Town Lake

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For event information, visit www.austindiocese.org

sUMMER 2014

St. Peter Catholic Student Center Baylor University I would have to keep my faith to myself. Luckily this was not at all the case. During my first semester I only attended St. Peter’s on Sunday mornings and had no idea about the community that I was missing. That all changed in the second semester after attending the Bear Awakening retreat. My eyes were opened to the loving relationship God wanted to have with me and I was able to meet so many other Catholic students pursuing that relationship. I began attending daily Mass and would stay until the center closed to work on homework and spend time with my friends. It was such a blessing to finally have friends to talk to about the Eucharist and confession without being misunderstood. St. Peter’s has given me the opportunity to participate in a number of ministries such as RCIA, Bear Awakening, Liturgical Ministries, and FOCUS. Through these, I have been able to learn about my faith and better understand why we believe what we do. Now that I’m a senior, ready to graduate, one of the things I’m going to miss most about college is St. Peter’s. It is an incredible blessing to have a church with daily Mass and Adoration times that are conducive to a college student’s schedule. I will never forget the friendships I’ve made here and all the memories we shared at the student center.

St. Peter Catholic Student Center at Baylor University serves the almost 3,000 Catholic students on Baylor’s campus, along with students from McLennan County Community College and Texas State Technical College. Students come through the doors of our center during their formative years asking the same questions that all young people ask: “Why are we here? What is our purpose?” What we hope, during their time in college, is that our students will obtain a firm grip of their identity in Jesus Christ. We have been so blessed to have experienced tremendous growth within the past few years; averaging 30 to 40 students for daily Mass and Adoration, more than 200 students involved in Bible study, and more than 500 students attending Sunday Mass. It is not uncommon to hear our students sharing their Catholic faith proudly with their Protestant brothers and sisters on their shared, beloved campus. Our mission is to nurture the spiritual growth of our faith community through worship, education, fellowship, and service within the Catholic tradition. Perhaps one of the best examples of a student who was especially effected by this mission is graduating senior, Emily Glavan: Coming to Baylor as a freshman I was excited for the opportunity to make new friends and start working toward my degree. Being a Catholic at a Baptist university, though, I was not expecting to experience much spiritual growth and thought

Your gift to the Catholic Services Appeal helps support youth, young adults, and college students.

“My eyes were opened to the loving relationship God wanted to have with me and I was able to meet so many other Catholic students pursuing that relationship.”

–Emily Glavan, Baylor student

diocese of austin

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SUMMER 2014

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 1504

Stewardship and Development Office Diocese of Austin 6225 Highway 290 E. Austin, TX 78723

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Leaving a Legacy R e m e m b e r i n g J I M A N D J A N I E C O Y are parishioners at Santa Cruz Parish in Buda, where they are involved in various church ministries and activities. They often joke that they are thinking of selling their house because they spend most of their time at church! Jim and Janie both serve as extraordinary ministers of holy Communion. Jim serves on the Stewardship Council, is an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and was a Grand Knight for nine years. Janie serves on the Greeting Committee and is chair of the Stewardship Council.

Jim is a native of Albuquerque, N.M., and is a retired air traffic controller. Janie grew up in San Antonio, and spent 35 years as a flight attendant for American Airlines. Jim and Janie first met on a picket line at the DFW airport.

Y o u r

C h u rc h

They have been married 31 years and have one married daughter.

Jim and Janie say they have been given the gift of “helping� by the Holy Spirit. To be available and willing to help out is a source of great joy to them. They are grateful to be able to do the work assigned to them, or to see to a task that needs tending. Jim and Janie strive every day to live as disciples of Christ and to practice the art of being a steward of all that God has given them. They believe that living as a steward is a way of life that requires daily commitment and dedication.

Jim and Janie were honored to receive the Lumen Gentium award in 2013. They contribute generously with their time, talent, and treasure to their parish and the Catholic Services Appeal.