• What is Stewardship?
  
  Stewardship is based on the spiritual principles of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus. Where Stewardship has been implemented, both givers’ and receivers’ lives have been changed. It is a way of life. It is a way of thanking God for all his blessings by returning to Him a portion of the time, talent and treasure allotted to us.  Stewardship engenders a spiritually that deepens our relationship with the Lord. Stewardship involves intentional, planned and proportionate giving of time, talent and treasure. In the spirit of the Diocesan Synod, stewardship addresses both parishioners as well as parishes themselves.
  
   
  What difference will stewardship make in my life?
  
  The difference is the motivation for giving. Stewardship is an extension of our spiritual life where we give in gratitude to God for what we have already received. The difference also is in the result of our giving.  Those who practice stewardship find that they grow spiritually and that their faith is deepened.
  
   
  What is meant by giving of one’s time and talent?
  
  Giving of one’s time involves being with God in prayer and worship, sharing our love with family and friends, and volunteering our time in Church and community activities that helps others and promote justice. Sharing our talents arises from the fact that God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well, and we have the responsibility to develop those talents for the good of others.
  
   
  What is meant by intentional, planned and proportionate giving?
  
  Intentional means a deliberate and well thought out decision to live out the Christian life in a certain way. Planned means that, at the beginning of every year, each Catholic household plans and makes stewardship of time and talent a part of their lifestyle and stewardship of treasure a part of its own budget.  Proportionate means a decision is made to give a certain amount of one’s time and talent and one’s income to the church and other community charities.  Am I expected to give all my time, talent and treasure to the Church? No, not at all. Most people give of their time and talent as volunteers to community groups in addition to volunteering in the church.  Many people give money to other community groups in addition to supporting the Church.
  
   
  What portion of time, talent and treasure should I give?
  
  It’s important to think in terms of giving in gratitude to God, of considering how blessed you are, of using your gifts and talents for the good of others.  Give as much as much as you can, as often as you can, from the heart as a faith response because we are generous stewards who want to share our time, talent and treasure with others.
  
   
  Isn’t Stewardship of treasure just another attempt to raise funds for the Church?
  
  No, it is not, although some people mistakenly see it that way.
  Stewardship is based on the Bible, which has many references to stewardship.
  Stewardship is based on the individual’s need to give, not on the Church’s need to receive. Giving of treasure is not limited to the Church.
   
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  Stewardship: “A Way of Life, for a Lifetime”
   
  Stewardship is giving in gratitude to God for all the blessings we have already received.
   
                        Those who practice stewardship grow spiritually.