Congratulations to my friend and longtime advisor to Catholic Stewardship Consultants, Msgr. Thomas McGread, who will be awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, from Newman University during its Fall 2012 Commencement on Dec. 15.
For the past 15 years, Msgr. McGread has been the model for the work we do at CSC in helping parishes develop stewardship as a way of life. He is also a contributor to this blog, and his story is chronicled in our 2011 book, Grateful and Giving: How Msgr. Thomas McGread’s Stewardship Message Has Impacted Catholic Parishes Throughout the Country.
According to the Newman University alumni magazine’s website, “Monsignor McGread, who was selected as a model of Catholic Identity, has been called the “Father of Catholic Stewardship in the United States” for his work developing the stewardship concept. He served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi parish for more than 31 years, and helped create the stewardship program for the Diocese of Wichita. He also played a key role in drafting the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter “Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response,” and is the subject of a book about his stewardship message. Monsignor McGread served three terms on the Newman Board of Trustees, and has been a generous supporter of student scholarships, projects and programs at Newman University. He is now Director Emeritus of Stewardship for the Diocese of Wichita.”
