As most of you know by now, Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation earlier today. If you have not had the chance to read his resignation letter, the following link from the official Vatican News website is listed here: http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-benedict-xvi-announces-his-resignation-at-end
With Lent set to begin in two days, and given the Pope’s announcement today, I would like to share with you a past Lenten message from Pope Benedict XVI that had a great stewardship focus. The Pope’s message was centered on almsgiving, but he expands on that as he touches on stewardship throughout the message. The following quote is one example: “According to the teaching of the Gospel, we are not owners but rather administrators of the goods we possess: these, then, are not to be considered as our exclusive possession, but means through which the Lord calls each one of us to act as a steward of His providence for our neighbor.”
The link to the full 2008 Lenten message is listed here: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20071030_lent-2008_en.html
All of us at Catholic Stewardship Consultants thank God for the blessing that Pope Benedict XVI has been to the Church. We’re praying for him during this time of transition, and will pray for all of the Cardinals charged with the responsibility to elect our new Pope.