"God opens the door of faith." These words are the theme for our 2013 Diocesan Stewardship. Our goal is set at $129,272 as our share of the common diocesan responsibility. Anything over that goal will be returned to the parish for updating our church. Starting next weekend, we will ask you for your commitment. Currently, 800 families out of 3,400 contribute. If all our parishioners contributed $160, our goal could easily be achieved, and we would have resources to accomplish our parish projects.
Thank you, as always, for your great generosity. Please understand that any gift, large or small, is appreciated. Father Peter Sarnicki, O.F.M., Conv.
Click the arrow above to watch Our 2013 Diocesan Stewardship Video!
The Diocese or Rockford provides those services which are too
large for a single parish to provide. They provide training for
members of the parish in Ministry Formation, for Priest and
Deacon Education and Continuing Education Programs. They
provide Catholic Charities for the needs of the poor. They
provide direction and support for the Education Programs for
our Area Catholic High Schools, our parish School and
Religious Education Programs. It provides for the Retreat
House and the Marriage Programs available to people. It provides
direction for youth development. This is only part of
what the diocese provides.
This is an important Appeal...please give generously.
Stewardship
1.
Parish should create a Stewardship Commission. The commission should be formed by the teachings in the 1992 U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Letter, Stewardship: A Disciple's Response , which makes the connection between the evangelization/conversion process and the people's use of their time, talent and treasure.
2.
Parish should have ongoing educational activities that instruct the parish membership throughout the year in the Church's 'teachings of stewardship. This should include themes from the 1992 Bishops' Pastoral Letter and the readings from the Liturgical cycle.
3.
Within the context of the Church's teachings on stewardship, parish should conduct an annual stewardship of time and talent renewal to encourage parishioners to share their gifts as a faith response and as a way to meet the ministry needs of the parish and local community. Pastoral leaders should empower the laity to discern and contribute their variety of gifts in the service of parish ministries and church vocations.
4.
Within the context of the Church's teachings on stewardship, parish should conduct an annual stewardship of treasure renewal to encourage parishioners to share their material gifts as a faith response and for the support of the parish ministries. The learning objectives for parishioners would include encouraging parishioners to embrace the biblical tithe and to give in a planned and sacrificial way. A current Catholic interpretation of this type of giving is for people to give 5% of their income to the parish, 1% to the diocese and 4% to other charities.
5.
Parish should strive to incrementally move toward the elimination of second collections, special envelopes and special fund-raisers for expenses related to normal parish operating activities and ministries. Annual celebrations or festivals should mainly exist for the purposes of building community, not fundraising.
6.
Parish should contribute a portion of their Sunday offertory collection to poor parishes in the diocese, our own social ministries and worthy community, regional, national and international programs that further the plan of God on earth. The practice will provide an example to the parish community of the type of proportionate giving that the leadership is encouraging its members to assume.
7.
When parish leadership is conducting a campaign for extraordinary capital improvements / repairs, new building project or debt reduction, these types of projects should be presented to the people within the context of the Church's teachings and practices of stewardship. There are excellent examples of how some parishes in our diocese are integrating the teachings and practices of stewardship into these types of projects.
8.
Parish should promote the stewardship of assets and endowment awareness among parishioners for the long-term financial benefit of the Parish, Diocese, and Universal Church. Parish shall establish an endowment account in the Catholic Foundation. Endowment awareness would include education for the stewardship of assets and encouragement for bequests through wills and other planned giving instruments. The creation of an endowment committee is encouraged.
CLICK HERE for a PDF File Charge and Auto Debit Authorization Form you can use for automatic credit card charges and/or check withdrawal.
PLEASE NOTE: Do not complete and send as an email, but please drop off as a hard copy to the Parish Office. Please contact the Parish Financial Office at 847-658-6071 if any questions.
