Introducing the stewardship way of life to your parish community begins with education. No "perfect" plan exists. Parishes are encouraged to use the Stewardship Manual as a guide and to tailor the information provided to best suit your parish community. The Stewardship Manual explores several educational methods as well as shares suggestions on how to navigate your parish’s stewardship journey.
The Stewardship and Development Office is available to assist at any point during your journey. Through a series of meetings, a representative from our office will visit your parish to discuss stewardship and its benefit for the parish. At the initial meeting, the pastor, as well as a few parish representatives, are in attendance. The basics of stewardship and the benefits that occur as a result are revealed. During this informational meeting, the core stewardship committee will be asked to develop a list of 5 - 10 potential committee members and select a date to hold a meeting to bring them together.
With a core stewardship committee in place at the second meeting, a discussion will include an introduction to the theological meaning of stewardship as well as an introduction to The Bishop's 1992 Pastoral Letter. Committee members will be asked to read the Pastoral Letter and prepare for a group discussion at the next meeting.
At the third meeting, the stewardship committee will discuss the Pastoral Letter at length along with the diocesan representative. Equipped with this knowledge, a date will be selected for the next meeting where educational strategies will be discussed.
Methods of education will be the focal point of the fourth meeting. At this meeting, the committee should decide on the main objectives of the parish and begin to develop a parish plan. "Stewardship Weekend" should be at the culmination of the initial timeline while small events can be planned in the interim to introduce the community to the Stewardship Committee and their purpose. A list of leaders of other parish ministries will be compiled so that they can be invited to sit in on the next meeting. The pastor, the diocesan representative and the committee should all be in attendance. From the committee members, one or two individuals will be chosen to assume the leadership position(s).
The committee chairperson chosen at the last meeting will facilitate the fifth meeting. Leaders from other parish ministries are invited to learn more about the work of the Stewardship Committee thus far and hear of future plans. This meeting will be a good opportunity to open dialogue between the committee and the other parish leaders. If the parish purpose is clear to everyone, it creates a receptive environment for stewardship. The complete list of available parish ministries will be finalized as well as a "wish list" of potential ministries that will enhance parish life.
Your parish will begin to embark on a stewardship journey. From this point on, it is the responsibility of the parish Stewardship Committee to ensure that the education, implementation and renewal of stewardship are woven into the fabric of parish life. Please be assured that the Office of Stewardship & Development is ready to assist in applying the principles of stewardship as a way of life in your particular parish community.
