Stewardship as a way of life.
That sounds hard.At St. Hilary, on a daily basis it's not hard. In fact I can think of 5 examples of how Stewardship has been a way of parish life TODAY alone.
5 Stewardship Examples from Today
1. Card Party Wednesdays: Wait, playing cards is a part of Stewardship? Matthew 25 calls us to welcome and care for others. In this ministry, a lot of fun is sure to be had by all. Attend a gathering of the card players every Wednesday between 1:30-3:00 and see the camaraderie and ability for each person to find comfort in being together with a group of fun Catholics.
2. Girl Scouts Making Cookies: Serving God and Neighbor is a tall order, but the Girl Scouts were baking for their neighbors today. I didn't see them sneak even one cookie for themselves! The girls are being taught by their troop leaders to care for others and to work with a ministry within our parish. The cookies they make are being donated to the Cookie Ministry, whose members will bag the cookies and deliver them to the bagged lunch program at St. Bernard's in Akron.
3. Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays are a day of constant visitors to the parish between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm. Anyone is welcome to stop in to visit with Jesus in the Reservation Chapel at the back of the church. Time is a big part of Stewardship--time spent in prayer. These prayerful individuals are giving their time to God each week through prayer and reflection. The first Wednesday in February will begin our parish initiative to increase Eucharistic Adoration. Parishioners will be asked to prayerfully consider giving an hour during this perpetual time (beginning after Wednesday's 9:30 am Mass and ending with Thursdays 7:00 am Mass). Will you or a ministry you are involved give an hour each month?
4. Mass: The students from the St. Hilary Day School participate fully in the Wednesday 9:30 am Mass each week. This time is such a great example of Stewardship because every child is actively engaged in the Mass and many of the children are also involved as lectors and singers during Mass.
5. Team work: Staff members working together. Students leaning from each other. Volunteers helping each other with their tasks. Phone calls being taken while someone is away from their desk. Messages being delivered. St. Hilary would crumble without the teamwork that exists each day.
Consider how Stewardship can be more of a part of your daily life!
