Stewardship is not simply making donations or taking care of the building and grounds. It is spirituality – hence a way of life – made of four parts:
- Receiving the gifts of God with gratitude
- Cultivating them responsibly
- Sharing them lovingly in justice with others
- Standing before the Lord in a spirit of accountability
It is up to all of us to determine how we will live out this stewardship way of life. We are not alone, however. Millions of fellow Catholics and people of all faiths are traveling together with you.
100% of proceeds from our collections at John Carroll are given to our designated local and global volunteer agencies.
- August and September – Catholic Charities Refugee and Migrant Services
- October – Fatima Family Center
- November and December – Catholic Refugee Services (CRS) and Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS)
- January and February – Immersion Partner – to be determined
- March – medical supplies for Honduras immersion
- April and May – St. Thomas and St. Francis Elementary Schools
Think of God’s gifts in broader terms, not simply the material goods or security you may enjoy:
- Your faith, hope, love, and joy
- The relationships you have with your family and others
- Your intelligence, talents, and skills
- Your imagination, compassion, and vision
- Creation in all its splendor
Our Catholic tradition teaches us that with so many blessings come great challenges. At all times in our lives, we have an opportunity – and a responsibility – to share what we have been given.
It begins with remembering our Baptism, when we became followers of Jesus Christ. From this call flows the commitment to Christ that makes stewardship possible — and deeply rewarding. However, this is a commitment to a lifetime of action, and it requires sacrifice.
Through following Christ, we have the benefit of the role model of sacrifice for the greater good, a model of self-giving and loving service.
Everyone has a calling, which is another way of saying that your walk with God is personal. When you hear the call to gratitude and responsibility—in your friendships and family, in your work, wherever you go—then taking the next step to answer that call is where Catholic stewardship may be clearly seen.
And in our faith, that response happens in a wonderfully rich, vibrant community of diverse and talented individuals. We are all encouraged to consider responding generously to God’s call to a priestly or religious vocation, as well as to the single or married life.
Stewards take care of the world around us, including embracing the social teaching of the Catholic Church or that of other faith traditions.
- We work as partners with God in the redemption of the world.
- We respect human life and dignity.
- We protect the natural environment.
- We share our gifts (time, talents, and treasures) with others.
- We communicate our enthusiasm.
For your own development as a steward, it helps to spend time in prayer and reflection. In recognizing our gifts from God, we can explore how best to use those gifts for the benefit of others – and of course, invite others to discern and share their gifts, too.
Adapted from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc., Washington, D.C.