Stewardship Is:

• Receiving God’s Gifts Gratefully
  … and recognizing that everything is a gift from God
• Cultivating These Gifts Responsibly
  … cherishing and tending them in a responsible and accountable manner
• Sharing Our Gifts with Others
  … lovingly and in justice
• Returning Our Gifts with Increase to the Lord 
  … gratefully and recognizing that all goodness is a gift from God.  What we “do” with the gift is our ‘gift to God’.

So …

A steward is someone who manages someone else’s house (that is, all of the owner’s possessions).  In relation to God, ultimately, no one owns anything.  God is the owner of everything that exists.  That is the fundamental meaning of stewardship: Everything belongs to God (our family members and friends, our homes, and even the air we breathe.)  We are His caregivers.

                         “The stewardship pastoral letter strongly reflects the core of the Easter message of the earliest Christian community: ‘We Have Seen the Lord!’ (Jn 20:25). Stewardship always starts with the personal experience of the Risen Christ in our midst and in our hearts. It is a vocation to discipleship.  The following of Christ as a disciple entails a personal response, and this call can result in a positive impact on out faith communities.  Discipleship requires the surrender of ourselves through grace and choice to Jesus Christ: ‘Mature disciples make a conscious, firm decision, carried out in action, to be followers of Jesus Christ no matter the cost to themselves.’ A disciple is both a learner and a companion of Jesus Christ, as well as one open to the movement of the Holy Spirit towards a gracious generosity of heart. The authentic disciple regards all he or she is and possesses as gifts and blessings and realizes the need to share those gifts and blessings with others for the sake of the kingdom of God.” -excerpt from Stewardship; A Disciple’s Response. 

STEWARDSHIP AT ST. MARK’S

St. Mark’s Stewardship Mission Statement 2/06:

Provide ongoing education to the parish community to increase awareness and encouraging commitment to the Stewardship of time, talent, and resources while welcoming all with opportunities to serve God.

St. Mark’s Stewardship Vision Statement 8/07:

SMSC exists to lead the people of SM Community to recognize, develop, share and entrust all that we are and have as necessary elements in the intricate pattern of God’s design for His Kingdom.  We seek to help all experience the freedom, peace, and joy born of immersing ourselves in Christ and living the Father’s will.

Time and Talent:

2008/2009 Data on Parish Ministries

St. Mark’s has over 70 ministries.

Over 2090 ministry positions were filled.

125,000 Communion Hosts were distributed.

15 funeral dinners were served by CCW.

Over 8,500 people were served by parish outreach ministries.

427 people attended a minimum of one hour of Eucharistic Adoration.

21,550 Individuals were served by St. Mark’s Food Bank.

235 Thanksgiving baskets were provided by St. Mark’s Parishioners.

9 youth and 13 adults helped with Preschool Religious Education.

70 stewards helped with Vacation Bible School.

There were 136 Baptisms, 99 first communions, 31 confirmations,25 marriages and 33 funerals.

80 children participated in Preschool Religious Education.150 children participated in Vacation Bible School.40 teens participated in St. Mark’s Axiom (Teen) Program, and over 55  youth participated in the Catalyst (Jr. High) Program.325 youth received a Catholic Education at St. Mark’s School

St. Mark’s Rosary Makers donated 2,284 rosaries.  592 went to St. Mark’s visitors and newcomers.  1,573 were sent to missions throughout the world.  119 were donated to other needs.  Our rosary makers have taught several classes to groups and individuals throughout the year.

Approximately 200 Adults participated in Adult Bible Studies.

 Time and talent opportunities:

HOSPITALITY

FORMATION

PRAYER

SERVICE

 

 Stewardship Council Members: 2010

          Val Allen (staff)

          Dan Maloney (staff)

          Fr. Steve Rukavina (staff)

          Pat Rodriguez (secretary)

          Lynne Johnson (secretary) 

Members:

          Chris Privon (chair)

          Keron Privon (co-chair)

          Shannon Russell (co-school representative)

          Kate Aravich (co-school representative)

          Rachel Main (co-youth representative)

          Travis Browne (co-youth representative)

          Ken Becker

          Dave Halter

          Norma Halter

          Becky Echols

          Lucy Hahn

 

          The weekend of April 29/30, 2006 we officially commissioned St. Mark’s Stewardship Council.  I am so grateful to the members of this Council for being generous with their time and talent.  They are going to help lead us into a new era.  I would like to thank John and Alice Hart who first invited the members of the Council to come forward and be leaders in this effort.  I am convinced that the Stewardship model of discipleship is what Jesus had in mind when he challenged his followers to be “leaven in the dough” and “salt for the world.”   Over this coming year we will be articulating a vision of how true stewardship can transform our parish into a dynamic force for positive change in all of our lives, in our community and in our diocese.  St. Mark’s has a reputation for being in the forefront of parish innovation and growth.  This began years ago with the wise and fatherly leadership of Fr. Peplinski of happy memory.  Fr. Donaghue advanced that legacy through his encouragement of those who wanted to bring the Evangelization Retreats and other spiritual opportunities to St. Marks.  Thanks to your faith and efforts and Fr. Donaghue’s support, these retreats have spread throughout the diocese and beyond.  St. Mark’s will again be taking the lead as we bring a stewardship model of discipleship into everything we do here. 

          Some have made the mistake of equating stewardship with fundraising.  This is definitely not true, even though there are financial elements to a comprehensive stewardship way of life.  But these financial elements are much more a by product of stewardship rather than a central focus.  The Easter Season offers each of us an opportunity to be renewed in faith and hope as we experience the power of the Risen Christ in our parish and our lives.  I would like to extend an invitation to each of you to explore the wisdom and value of a stewardship way of life.  I guarantee that the rewards will be extraordinary!

Peace,

Fr. Steve