international catholic stewardship council catholic...

6
International Catholic Stewardship Council CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP e-Bulletin • December 2018 A STEWARDSHIP PRAYER for December �Advent�–�A�Season�of�Hope Advent�is�a�time�of�waiting�and�expectation;�a�season�of�quiet� anticipation�and�preparation.�We�are�waiting�for�our�Lord�to� come�into�the�world�as�the�baby�Jesus,�born�of�the�Virgin�Mary� in�Bethlehem.�We�are�also�preparing�for�His�return,�His�second� coming�as�the�shepherd-king,�to�restore�harmony�and�right� relationship�to�all�creation.�Advent�is�a�season�yearning�for�God� to�come�and�set�the�world�right�with�perfect�justice,�truth�and� peace.�It�is�a�season�of�hope. Advent�is�a�time�to�emphasize�preparation�through�prayer.� While�Lent�emphasizes�a�spirit�of�repentance�through�prayer� and�fasting,�Advent’s�prayers�are�prayers�of�humble�devotion�and� commitment,�prayers�for�deliverance,�prayers�of�gladness�and� joyful�expectation,�prayers�that�await�the�light�of�Christ�coming� into�the�world.� We�do�not�shrink�from�those�Advent�scripture�readings�that� reveal�a�strong�prophetic�tone�of�accountability�and�judgment.� Christ’s�disciples�expect�the�Lord�to�hold�them�accountable�for� what�has�been�entrusted�to�them�just�as�a�spouse,�parent,�teacher� or�supervisor�holds�us�accountable.�And�just�as�the�steward�was� found�faithful�in�small�matters�by�the�master,�we�too�are�confident� that�we�will�be�found�faithful�and�will�enter�the�joy�of�the�Master.� We�have�absolute�trust�in�the�Lord’s�countenance. Assuredly,�during�Advent�we�anticipate�the�Lord’s�coming� with�hope.�It�is�that�hope,�however�faint�at�times,�that�keeps�us� from�despair�and�the�darkness�of�sin�and�its�destructiveness.�It�is�a� hope�that�urges�us�to�be�kind,�loving�and�compassionate�toward� one�another.�It�is�a�hope�that�encourages�our�faith�in�a�merciful� God�who�continues�to�pour�His�grace�upon�us.� We�don’t�know�when�Christ�will�come�again�to�bring�human� history�to�its�completion.�But�we�celebrate�with�gladness�the�great� promise�of�Advent�and�we�rekindle�that�positive,�joyful�spirit�within� us�because�we�know,�as�Zechariah�prophesied,�that�the�light�of� Christ�will�shine�on�all�who�sit�in�darkness�and�the�shadow�of� death,�and�He�will�guide�our�feet�into�the�way�of�peace. Lord,� As�we�journey�through�this�Advent�season,� give�us�the�wisdom�to�be�good�stewards� of�this�time�of�grace,�a�time�to�be�more�prayerful,� to�listen�more�intently�to�Your�Word;� a�time�to�allow�our�faith�to�grow�and�mature.� Show�us�how�to�give�witness� to�your�Good�News�more�fervently� among�our�families,�friends� and�those�with�whom�we�worship.� Help�us�be�more�aware� of�those�who�are�poor,�lonely�or�suffering;� and�to�serve�them� as�if�we�were�serving�You. And�fill�our�hearts�with�hope,� so�that�we�may�make�straight�Your�path� with�confidence�and�zeal, and�prepare�for�the�joy�of�Your�coming!� We�pray�this�in�Jesus’�name. Amen

Upload: others

Post on 05-Nov-2019

3 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: International Catholic Stewardship Council CATHOLIC ...catholicstewardship.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ICSC-Parish-E... · the Worker parish in San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan, Father

International Catholic Stewardship Council

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIPe-Bulletin • December 2018

A STEWARDSHIP PRAYER for December

�Advent�–�A�Season�of�HopeAdvent�is�a�time�of�waiting�and�expectation;�a�season�of�quiet�anticipation�and�preparation.�We�are�waiting�for�our�Lord�to�come�into�the�world�as�the�baby�Jesus,�born�of�the�Virgin�Mary�in�Bethlehem.�We�are�also�preparing�for�His�return,�His�second�coming�as�the�shepherd-king,�to�restore�harmony�and�right�relationship�to�all�creation.�Advent�is�a�season�yearning�for�God�to�come�and�set�the�world�right�with�perfect�justice,�truth�and�peace.�It�is�a�season�of�hope.

Advent�is�a�time�to�emphasize�preparation�through�prayer.�While�Lent�emphasizes�a�spirit�of�repentance�through�prayer�and�fasting,�Advent’s�prayers�are�prayers�of�humble�devotion�and�commitment,�prayers�for�deliverance,�prayers�of�gladness�and�joyful�expectation,�prayers�that�await�the�light�of�Christ�coming�into�the�world.�

We�do�not�shrink�from�those�Advent�scripture�readings�that�reveal�a�strong�prophetic�tone�of�accountability�and�judgment.�Christ’s�disciples�expect�the�Lord�to�hold�them�accountable�for�what�has�been�entrusted�to�them�just�as�a�spouse,�parent,�teacher�or�supervisor�holds�us�accountable.�And�just�as�the�steward�was�found�faithful�in�small�matters�by�the�master,�we�too�are�confident�that�we�will�be�found�faithful�and�will�enter�the�joy�of�the�Master.�We�have�absolute�trust�in�the�Lord’s�countenance.

Assuredly,�during�Advent�we�anticipate�the�Lord’s�coming�with�hope.�It�is�that�hope,�however�faint�at�times,�that�keeps�us�from�despair�and�the�darkness�of�sin�and�its�destructiveness.�It�is�a�hope�that�urges�us�to�be�kind,�loving�and�compassionate�toward�one�another.�It�is�a�hope�that�encourages�our�faith�in�a�merciful�God�who�continues�to�pour�His�grace�upon�us.�

We�don’t�know�when�Christ�will�come�again�to�bring�human�history�to�its�completion.�But�we�celebrate�with�gladness�the�great�promise�of�Advent�and�we�rekindle�that�positive,�joyful�spirit�within�us�because�we�know,�as�Zechariah�prophesied,�that�the�light�of�Christ�will�shine�on�all�who�sit�in�darkness�and�the�shadow�of�death,�and�He�will�guide�our�feet�into�the�way�of�peace.

Lord,�

As�we�journey�through�this�Advent�season,�give�us�the�wisdom�to�be�good�stewards�of�this�time�of�grace,�a�time�to�be�more�prayerful,�to�listen�more�intently�to�Your�Word;�a�time�to�allow�our�faith�to�grow�and�mature.�Show�us�how�to�give�witness�to�your�Good�News�more�fervently�among�our�families,�friends�and�those�with�whom�we�worship.�

Help�us�be�more�aware�of�those�who�are�poor,�lonely�or�suffering;�and�to�serve�them�as�if�we�were�serving�You.And�fill�our�hearts�with�hope,�so�that�we�may�make�straight�Your�path�with�confidence�and�zeal,and�prepare�for�the�joy�of�Your�coming!�

We�pray�this�in�Jesus’�name.

Amen

Page 2: International Catholic Stewardship Council CATHOLIC ...catholicstewardship.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ICSC-Parish-E... · the Worker parish in San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan, Father

Saint Stephen The�day�after�Christmas�is�called�“St.�Stephen’s�Day”�to�commemorate�the�first�Christian�martyr.��It�is�also�this�“Feast�of�Stephen”�that�is�mentioned�in�the�English�Christmas�carol,�“Good�King�Wenceslas.”�

Stephen�was�a�Greek-speaking�Jew�living�in�Jerusalem.�He�became�a�follower�of�Jesus�Christ�and�was�one�of�seven�individuals�chosen�by�the�twelve�apostles�to�serve�tables,�look�after�the�distribution�of�the�community�funds�(alms),�especially�to�widows,�and�assist�in�the�ministry�of�preaching.

Stephen�was�also�a�leader�in�the�Christian�group�known�as�the�“Hellenists,”�a�community�that�had�its�own�synagogues�where�the�scriptures�were�read�in�Greek.�The�Hellenist�Christians�maintained�that�the�new�Christian�faith�could�not�grow�unless�it�separated�itself�from�Judaism�and�specifically�the�Temple�and�the�Mosaic�law.�The�Hellenists�also�urged�the�expansion�of�the�Church’s�mission�to�the�Gentiles.

The�elders�in�a�number�of�neighboring�synagogues�opposed�Stephen�and�the�Hellenists�and�charged�him�with�blasphemy�for�saying�that�the�Temple�would�be�destroyed�and�that�Jesus�had�set�aside�the�Mosaic�law�even�though�Stephen�maintained�that�Jesus�came�to�fulfill�the�law,�not�set�it�aside.

When�dragged�before�the�Sanhedrin,�the�supreme�legal�court�of�Jewish�elders,�Stephen�made�an�eloquent�defense�of�the�Hellenist�Christian�teaching.�He�charged�his�accusers�of�trying�to�stifle�the�movement�of�the�Holy�Spirit,�of�persecuting�those�who�spoke�prophetically�and�of�betraying�and�murdering�Jesus.�Then�he�looked�up�to�heaven�and�began�to�describe�a�vision�he�was�having�of�the�recently�executed�Jesus�standing�on�the�right�side�of�God.

The�council�erupted�into�a�furor�and�its�members�began�shouting,�covered�their�ears�and�ordered�Stephen�to�be�dragged�outside�the�city�and�executed.�As�he�was�being�stoned�to�death,�Stephen�asked�God�to�forgive�his�attackers�while�the�witnesses�to�his�martyrdom�placed�their�cloaks�at�the�feet�of�Saul�of�Tarsus�who�consented�to�Stephen’s�death.�Saul�would�later�undergo�a�conversion�experience�and�become�Saint�Paul.

Saint�Stephen�was�one�of�the�most�popular�saints�in�the�Middle�Ages�and�in�many�countries�his�feast�day�of�December�26�is�still�a�public�holiday.�He�is�the�patron�saint�of�deacons�and�his�name�is�included�in�Eucharistic�Prayer�I�of�the�Mass.

STEWARDSHIP�SAINT�for December

The�Blessed�Virgin�Mary:�Our�Model��of�StewardshipDuring�the�Advent�and�Christmas�seasons,�we�have�a�number�of�opportunities�to�reflect�on�and�honor�the�Blessed�Virgin�Mary,�who�is�a�model�of�stewardship�par�excellence.�Mary�teaches�us�the�meaning�of�stewardship�by�her�own�life�witness.

On December 8,�we�celebrate�the�Feast�of�the�Immaculate�Conception,�the�conception�of�Mary�in�her�mother’s�womb�without�the�stain�of�original�sin.�

On December 12,�we�celebrate�Mary�as�Our�Lady�of�Guadalupe.�In�1531�she�appeared�to�Juan�Diego�on�a�hill�outside�Mexico�City.�A�life-size�figure�of�the�Virgin�as�a�young,�dark-skinned�American�Indian�woman�with�the�face�of�a�mestizo�was�imprinted�on�his�cloak.�The�image�gave�the�indigenous�people�of�the�Americas�assurance�that�our�Blessed�Mother�was�loving�and�compassionate�toward�them.

On December 25,�when�we�cel-ebrate�the�Nativity�of�Our�Lord,�we�celebrate�the�birth�of�Jesus�through�his�mother,�Mary.�The�Incarnation�took�place�through�Mary’s�own�flesh,�and�the�infant�Jesus�was�nourished�by�Mary’s�own�body.

On January 1,�Mary�is�honored�as�the�“Mother�of�God,”�the�greatest�of�her�titles.�This�title�is�the�foundation�for�every�other�title�attributed�to�her�as�she�be-came�the�mother�of�God�from�the�instant�Jesus�was�conceived�in�her�womb�by�the�power�of�the�Holy�Spirit.

Page 3: International Catholic Stewardship Council CATHOLIC ...catholicstewardship.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ICSC-Parish-E... · the Worker parish in San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan, Father

International CathoLic Stewardship Council

Special Advent/Christmas Member Savings!REGISTER NOW for the 57th Annual ICSC Conference

$419*to receive the special Advent/Christmas member only conference registration rate of

October 6-9 Sheraton Grand Hotel

Chicago, Illinois

Register by phone at 800-352-3452online by clicking here, oremail at [email protected]

“We Are Stewards of the Church”

*Hurry, this special rate begins December 1, 2018 and ends midnight December 31, 2018!

Growing�Together�as�a�Stewardship�Communityby Leisa Anslinger, Associate Department Director for Pastoral Life, Archdiocese of Cincinnati

In�previous�articles,�we�have�explored�steps�we�may�take�as�parish�stewardship�leaders�to�discern�the�ways�in�which�we�will�form�parishioners�to�embrace�stewardship�as�a�way�of�life.�We�have�established�the�need�to�keep�the�vision�of�the�parish�faithful�living�and�growing�as�stewards�in�community�in�mind,�knowing�that�we�will�never�fully�live�this�vision�—�this�is�a�process�of�lifelong�conversion�in�Christ.�We�have�considered�the�ways�we�listen�to�parishioners�and�learn�from�their�experience,�as�they�take�the�call�to�live�as�stewards�to�heart.�The�next�step�in�this�discernment�process�is�to�align�the�message�with�the�vision�and�the�current�experience�of�the�community:�what�do�these�new�stewards�need�to�hear�at�this�time�in�order�to�grow?�In�other�words,�we�know�where�we�want�to�go�(our�vision);�we�know�where�we�are�(what�

we�have�heard�and�observed�in�the�experience�of�our�community);�now,�we�begin�to�consider�what�steps�we�may�take�in�order�to�move�from�where�we�are�to�where�we�want�to�be.�What�steps�will�we�take�to�help�our�fellow�stewards�accept�the�call�to�discipleship�and�to�grow�as�good�stewards?�

It�is�important�at�this�juncture�to�acknowledge�that�no�two�people�are�exactly�alike�in�the�ways�they�live�and�grow�in�faith.�There�is�no�“one�size�fits�

all.”�Yet,�if�we�listen�carefully�to�parishioners,�we�will�have�a�sense�of�how�our�faith�community�is�growing�in�gratitude�and�responding�by�caring�for�others�and�sharing�their�many�gifts,�at�this�time,�in�this�place.�We�may�hear�common�points�of�misunderstanding;�we�might�become�aware�of�untapped�potential�within�particular�parishioners,�groups,�or�ministries;�we�may�become�aware�of�ways�in�which�people�are�living�and�growing�as�stewards�beyond�the�boundaries�of�parish�or�diocese.�

How�would�you�describe�the�ways�your�faith�community�is�living�as�good�stewards�at�this�time?�What�steps�might�you�take�to�lead�parishioners�closer�to�the�vision�of�living�as�stewards�in�community?

It�is�important�at�this�juncture�to�acknowledge��that�no�two�people�are�exactly�alike�in�the�ways��

they�live�and�grow�in�faith.

Page 4: International Catholic Stewardship Council CATHOLIC ...catholicstewardship.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ICSC-Parish-E... · the Worker parish in San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan, Father

On�September�14,�St.�Peter�Thelmo�Parish,�located�on�the�northernmost�tip�of�the�Philippines,�took�a�direct�hit�from�Super�Typhoon�Mangkhot,�the�Category-5�storm�that�left�a�trail�of�death�and�destruction�on�Guam,�the�Philippines�and�mainland�China.�Undaunted�by�the�storm,�however,�the�members�of�this�parish�community,�led�by�their�pastor,�Reverend�Manuel�Catral,�resolved�to�restore�the�parish�campus�and�its�ministries�through�their�stewardship�efforts.

Although�Father�Catral�was�ordained�to�the�priesthood�in�2001�for�the�Archdiocese�of�Tuguegarao,�he�did�not�learn�about�Christian�stewardship�until�2005�when�he�attended�a�conference�in�Manila�on�the�spirituality�of�stewardship.�His�interest�was�piqued�because�he�was�just�starting�a�new�parish�community,�Holy�Family�Parish�in�Solana,�Cagayan.�The�members�of�the�worshipping�community�were�extremely�poor.�

Father�Catral�initiated�a�series�of�intensive�stewardship�formation�sessions�on�the�spirituality�of�stewardship,�emphasizing�themes�such�as�communion,�co-responsibility�and�accountability.�As�a�result,�the�

An�Asian-Pacific�Stewardship�Conference�Profile:�Reverend�Manuel�CatralAdapted from an article by Mila Glodava, Director of Stewardship and Administration, St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Denver, Colorado.

new�parish�became�alive�with�activity.�Notably,�parishioners�undertook�economic�development�projects�such�as�soap�making,�establishing�a�cooperative�pharmacy,�and�discovering�more�effective�ways�to�farm.�They�were�also�able�to�build�a�church�from�a�portion�of�their�offertory�collection�without�any�large�contributions.

At�his�next�assignment,�St.�Joseph�the�Worker�parish�in�San�Jose,�Baggao,�Cagayan,�Father�Catral�used�the�same�

stewardship�introductory�formula�with�equal�success.�The�parishioners�at�St.�Joseph�built�a�church�there�also�through�increased�giving�to�the�offertory�collection.�

Today,�Father�Catral�is�working�to�replicate�the�stewardship�successes�of�the�first�two�parish�communities�at�St.�Peter�Thelmo.�Because�of�

his�successes,�Father�Catral�has�recently�been�appointed�stewardship�coordinator�for�the�archdiocese.�

Father�Catral�will�make�a�presentation�on�the�prophetic�witness�offered�by�a�parish�practicing�stewardship�at�the�first�Asian-Pacific�stewardship�conference�of�the�International�Catholic�Stewardship�Council�to�be�held�February�4�to�7,�2019,�at�the�St.�Paul�Renewal�Center�

in�Alfonso,�Cavite�in�the�Philippines.�In�cooperation�with�Socio�Pastoral�Institute,�the�purpose�of�the�ICSC�conference�is�to�introduce�Christian�stewardship�in�the�Catholic�tradition�and�Catholic�philanthropy�to�Catholic�dioceses�of�south,�southeast�and�central�Asia�and�countries�of�the�Pacific�Rim.�

The�parish�was�able�to�build�a�church�from�a�portion�of�their�offertory�collection�without�any�large�contributions.

Page 5: International Catholic Stewardship Council CATHOLIC ...catholicstewardship.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ICSC-Parish-E... · the Worker parish in San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan, Father

In�this�new�liturgical�year,�the�Gospel�of�Luke�urges�us�to�be�mindful�of�the�poor�and�suffering�among�us.�There�are�many�things�we�can�do�during�the�Advent�and�Christmas�seasons�to�assist�efforts�to�alleviate�hunger�in�our�communities.�Whether�you�volunteer�individually,�as�a�family�or�as�part�of�a�group�or�parish,�the�possibilities�for�serving�the�poor�are�almost�limitless.�Consider�doing�one�or�more�of�the�10�suggestions�below:

1.�Pray�for�the�poor,�and�ask�God�to�transform�your�own�attitudes�about�those�in�need,�realizing�that�all�of�us�are�poor�in�some�way�before�God’s�grace.

2.�Suggest�that�a�petition�be�added�to�the�Prayers�of�the�Faithful�asking�that�the�members�of�the�parish�community�open�their�hearts�to�the�poor.

3.�Collect�food�items�for�a�food�pantry�in�your�community.

4.�Volunteer�to�assist�a�pantry�for�a�day�of�sorting,�bagging�or�distributing.

5.�Buy�fast�food�gift�certificates�to�give�out�to�people�you�see�who�need�a�meal�or�to�those�who�request�your�aid�on�our�downtown�streets.

6.�Ask�your�pastor�or�church�staff�if�you�could�collect�fast�food�and�other�gift�certificates�to�be�handed�out�to�those�in�need�who�stop�by�the�parish.

7.�Volunteer�at�your�parish�or�neighborhood�soup�kitchen.

8.�Get�your�parish�involved�in�observing�World�Hunger�Sunday�every�year.

9.�Make�your�own�generous�financial�gift�to�an�organization�that�serves��the�poor.

10.�Think�about�ways�to�use�your�professional�skills�in�a�volunteer�capacity�at�your�chosen�anti-hunger�organization.�There�are�many�programs,�including�Supplemental�Nutrition�Assistance�Program�(SNAP)�screening�and�application�assistance�centers,�food�banks,�and�other�anti-hunger�organizations,�that�can�use�your�help�to�make�sure�that�all�eligible�people�have�access�to�nutrition�assistance�and�anti-hunger�programs.

You�will�find�rich�rewards�in�fulfilling�these�stewardships�tasks.�For�Jesus�said�that�whatever�we�do�for�one�of�the�least�of�his�brothers�and�sisters,�we�do�it�for�him�(see�Matthew�25:40).

Ten�Things�You�Can�Do�for�the�Poor�at�Christmas

Whether�you�volunteer�individually,�as�a�family�or�as�part�of�a�group�or�parish,�the�possibilities�for�serving�the�poor�are�almost�limitless.

Page 6: International Catholic Stewardship Council CATHOLIC ...catholicstewardship.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ICSC-Parish-E... · the Worker parish in San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan, Father

First Sunday of AdventWeekend of December 1/2, 2018In�the�Gospel�on�this�first�Sunday�of�Advent,�Jesus�warns�his�disciples�about�the�end-time.�He�urges�them�to�be�vigilant,�spiritually�awake,�to�pray,�and�to�avoid�self-indulgence,�spiritual�malaise�and�a�preoccupation�with�anxiety.��Jesus�advises�against�a�lifestyle�that�embraces�both�earthly�pleasures�and�worry.�These�will�not�matter�when�the�Lord�asks�for�an�account�of�our�stewardship.�Stewards�realize�their�lives�are�not�just�about�the�here�and�now.�They�know�themselves�to�be�reflections�of�God’s�active�presence�in�the�world�and�witnesses�of�the�Lord’s�promises.�As�we�begin�this�season�of�hope,�let�us�reflect�on�what�it�means�to�devote�every�waking�moment�in�our�lives�to�the�Lord.

Second Sunday of AdventWeekend of December 8/9, 2018In�today’s�second�reading,�Saint�Paul�prays�with�joy�and�confidence�for�his�friends�in�the�Christian�community�at�Philippi.�He�is�encouraged�that�the�community�has�partnered�with�him�to�proclaim�the�Gospel.�He�sees�Christ’s�active�presence�and�plan�of�salvation�at�work�in�the�community.�God’s�overarching�plan�is�unclear�to�us.�But�when�we�see�evidence�of�God�working�through�others,�doesn’t�it�give�us�reason�to�hope�that�Christ�is�alive�among�us?�Does�the�witness�of�others�help�our�own�prayer�lives?�Does�it�inspire�us�to�be�partners�with�others�in�promoting�the�Gospel?��Food�for�thought�in�this�second�week�of�Advent.

Third Sunday of AdventWeekend of December 15/16, 2018In�today’s�Gospel�we�hear�the�prophet�John�the�Baptist�being�asked�an�insightful�stewardship�question:�“What should we do?”�Each�group�wants�to�know�the�appropriate�response�to�John’s�call;�each�reply�points�to�how�they�should�treat�others.��John�does�not�simply�say,�“Be�baptized.”�Rather,�he�points�them�to�their�jobs�and�personal�relationships.�John’s�message�is�simple:�judgment�is�near,�and�repentance�includes�treating�others�well.�We�should�be�willing�to�share�what�we�have�with�those�in�need.�To�listen�to�John�the�Baptist�is�to�be�called�to�account.�Do�I�give�only�of�my�excess,�or�am�I�the�good�steward�who�is�willing�to�make�daily�sacrifices�in�order�to�help�others?

A STEWARDSHIP MOMENT December 2018

Fourth Sunday of AdventWeekend of December 22/23, 2018As�we�draw�close�to�the�great�Feast�of�the�Nativity,�we�hear�the�bold�stewardship�proclamation�twice�in�today’s�second�reading�from�the�Letter�to�the�Hebrews:�“Behold,�I�come�to�do�your�will,�O�God!”�Who�is�this�Jesus?�Who�are�we�that�we�should�follow�him?��Many�want�him�as�a�friend,�a�guide,�a�king,�an�advocate.�We�long�to�see�the�face�of�God.�Jesus�reveals�the�nature�of�God,�the�servant�sent�to�give�us�new�life�in�Him.�Take�time�to�ponder:�Do�we�have�the�courage�to�follow�Jesus?�To�show�others�the�face�of�God?�To�say�to�the�Lord:�“Behold,�I�come�to�do�your�will?”�

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day)Tuesday, December 25, 2018In�today’s�Christmas�Mass�at�dawn�we�hear�from�the�Gospel�reading�that�God�has�entered�quietly�into�the�world.�Not�into�the�great�city�of�Jerusalem,�but�into�a�small�village�about�five�miles�south.�Not�into�a�noble�family,�but�to�an�outcast�couple�keeping�the�newborn�in�a�manger.�Not�announced�by�royal�edicts,�but�to�common�shepherds,�the�first�human�heralds�of�Christ’s�birth.�As�Christian�stewards�we�simply�allow�Christ�to�live�in�us�no�matter�what�our�circumstances�happen�to�be.�We�allow�Christ�to�share�his�love�with�us�and�reflect�that�love�out�to�others.�We�now�are�the�heralds�of�Christ’s�Incarnation.�What�an�unimaginable�gift�from�a�generous�Lord.�Good�stewards�rejoice�in�this�gift�and�give�glory�to�God.

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Weekend of December 29/30, 2018The�ultimate�aim�of�Saint�Paul’s�Letter�to�the�Colossians�is�to�teach�the�community�how�to�deepen�its�relationship�with�Christ�Jesus.�His�list�of�virtues�summarizes�the�ideals�of�communal�stewardship:�compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.�For�Paul,�practicing�these�virtues�opens�our�hearts�to�Christ�as�individuals�and�as�a�worshipping�community.�This�is�how�the�Christian�community�ought�to�live.�This�is�how�its�members�should�behave�in�their�dealings�with�others,�particularly�with�fellow�believers.�As�we�approach�a�new�year,�how�might�we�embrace�one�of�these�virtues�more�fully�in�order�to�deepen�our�relationship�with�Jesus?

[email protected](800)�352-3452

International Catholic Stewardship Council

www.catholicstewardship.com