There is still time to register for the next Msgr. McGread Stewardship Conference, which will be held April 22-23 at the Diocese of Wichita’s Spiritual Life Center in Wichita, Kansas.
For more than 10 years, the McGread Conference has inspired and educated thousands of priests, religious, and lay Catholics looking to transform their parishes through stewardship.
The conference is named for the late Msgr. Thomas McGread, who passed away in April 2013. Msgr. McGread has been called the “Father of Stewardship,” and he was instrumental in the drafting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response. Conference attendees will hear the incredible story of how Msgr. McGread’s stewardship vision transformed his parish — St. Francis of Assisi in Wichita — and how his stewardship model has impacted other parishes across the country. The conference is scheduled during the middle of the week so that all participants can arrive Tuesday evening and depart Thursday afternoon.
Curious if the Msgr. McGread Stewardship Conference is for you or your parish? Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions (and answers) to give you a better idea of what to expect.
What topics will the speakers cover in their presentations?
Each of the pastors and lay leaders invited to speak at this conference will share his or her parish’s stewardship story. Learn about the joys and challenges of implementing stewardship into a parish setting. Additionally, a CSC representative will speak about practical steps for developing stewardship in your parish.
My parish is already a “stewardship parish.” Will I learn anything new at the conference?
Definitely! In addition to the insights and best practices mentioned during each of our presentations, the conference offers attendees the opportunity to network and learn from clergy and laity at other parishes, who may be in different stages along the stewardship journey.
Can I buy merchandise, or take home “freebies” at this conference?
While we do not sell merchandise at our Msgr. McGread Conferences, there will be several free items that each attendee can take home. Those items include the book Grateful and Giving by Dcn. Don McArdle, which explores the beginnings of stewardship at St. Francis of Assisi in Wichita, a DVD presentation of Msgr. McGread speaking about stewardship, and more!
I don’t think “stewardship” will work at my parish. Should I still attend the conference anyway?
First of all, stewardship can work at every parish and in every person’s life! The USCCB, in its pastoral letter Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, states that stewardship and discipleship go hand-in-hand. We are all called to be disciples and, therefore, we are all called to stewardship. Attending the Msgr. McGread Stewardship Conference will offer additional insights on how stewardship can transform your parish community. Additionally, representatives from CSC will be on-hand at the conference to offer further guidance and tips to consider when implementing stewardship at the parish level.
Click here to view the McGread Conference brochure, which includes key details about the event, the lineup of presentations and more. You can also complete your secure online registration at this link. For more information, contact Shari Navarre at 888-822-1847, ext. 3702, or by e-mail at shari@catholicsteward.com.
