Dear Parishioners,
I am pleased to present to you our new parish newsletter! This newsletter will help us learn how the stewardship way of life is a disciple’s response to the call to know, love, and follow our Lord Jesus Christ. Every month we will share stories that will help us better understand who we are as Catholics and individual members of God’s family. The upcoming issues will feature activities and events happening within our Phelps County Catholic Community and how these help change hearts, minds, and lives as through them we grow closer to Christ and to each other. In each article, we will see how Christ is at work within us and our community as we more intentionally engage in the stewardship way of life.
I hope that this newsletter will be a meaningful way to continue learning more about our faith. As we learn more about our faith and how our fellow parishioners are living their faith out in our community, it will bear much fruit and inspire you to consider how you can be more involved in the life of our Catholic Community — for some, perhaps this will be an opportunity to try new things.
This newsletter will help increase communication as we feature events that are coming up and share a lot of information with you. But I also want to hear from you! Early next year, we will be conducting a comprehensive parish survey. The survey will be mailed to each home — I ask you to take the time to complete the survey and return it as soon as possible. Your feedback is important to me and will help me and parish leadership better understand your thoughts about our parish. This survey will enable us to pave the way for our future.
Another important step in our stewardship journey will be our Annual Stewardship Renewal that will happen this fall. The Renewal is our annual chance to ask ourselves how we prioritize the way we use God’s gifts in the Church. We will make written commitments to ourselves and to God concerning how we will be more devoted with our use of time (using our time on earth wisely; making time for personal prayer, family prayer, and quality time with friends and loved ones); talent (using our God-given gifts to strengthen the Church through service to parish ministries and other activities), and treasure (the wise and just management of our financial resources; giving a proportionate amount of income to the parish).
As we strive to develop stewardship as a way of life in the Phelps County Catholic Community, the support and involvement of each individual parishioner are necessary to sustain the life of our parish. All of you have a place here, and all of you have a role to fill in the life of the church as we live our lives as disciples of Christ.
May the Holy Spirit renew and refresh all of us as we work together to build our parish family through the use of our time, talent, and treasure.
In Christ,
Fr. Greg Meystrik
Pastor