Diocese of Saint Cloud - Stewardship Resources

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Diocese of Saint Cloud - Stewardship Resources

When we speak of God’s gifts, it does not refer only to the monetary provisions God has made for us. Therefore, when we talk about stewardship, it is also not limited to money. Too frequently, people see the word, 'stewardship' and right away are turned off for many reasons. Perhaps they’ve already given or feel they have nothing to give. Just as God does not stop giving to us, we must continue to give back to the Lord.

There are many resources available for parishes and people interested in learning more about stewardship. Please take a look at some of the materials below.

Time

Stewardship of time begins with the time spent in relationship with God, the Giver of all our gifts. This starts with weekly Mass and, when possible, more frequently. Time spent in various forms of prayer such as the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and time spent with the Word of God in the the Bible are ways to spend time in relationship with the Lord.

Talent

Stewardship of Talent means sharing with others out of gratitude to God who is the Giver of all good gifts. We are each given talents, typically referred to as our areas of strength. Giving back by using those talents is very rewarding. Singing in a choir or playing a musical instrument often come to mind when thinking of talent. And while these are special and obvious gifts, many talents are revealed in a less visible way. Some examples may be as simple as a good listening ear, some may be more spiritual such as leading a Bible study. Whatever your gift, take the time to discern how you will use it in service and pledge lovingly to serve God and the Church.

Treasure

Often when we hear the word stewardship, the first thing we think of is money. Though the gift of income is indeed from God, it is just one of the many gifts we have been given. Giving from the gift of treasure is important for the operation of our parish, our diocese and many charitable organizations.

Parish Tool Box

Because we are deeply planted in the concept that stewardship is a way of life, we would like to offer the following tools to assist you in developing or enhancing the stewardship committee in your parish. Our staff will:

Meet with the pastor and/or parish council members to discuss how to start a committee. Training packets are available and free of charge.
Show you how to choose effective members and further train existing members. Finding the right person for the job is an integral part of an effective stewardship team. We're here to help you reach out to these members in your parish that will fulfill this responsibility and let it fulfill them.
Recommend literature to review and discuss. Part of our role is to stay up to date with current practices and teachings. Let us offer some suggestions on literature that is in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Direct members in conducting effective ministry follow-up. Follow-up is a crucial piece in encouraging parishioners to give their time, talent, and treasure. We can offer suggestions to reach out to those in the parish that me be considered untapped resources.
Show members how to emphasize stewardship year-round. Stewardship is more than a once a year event - it's a way of life!
Offer to speak at your parish on Stewardship as a way of life. George Sjogren, Director of Stewardship and Development, has given witness to various parishes his personal experience with stewardship. This is not only an informative presentation, but a way for the diocese to reach out to parishes and offer assistance and support. These talks can be tailored to suit the needs of your parish.