What is a Stewardship Renewal?
Our annual Stewardship Renewal is the time when we ask ourselves to re-prioritize the way we live out our calling as disciples and use God’s gifts in the Church. It is the time we write down how we will support Holy Apostles through our Time, Talent, and Treasure.
Why should I fill out a commitment card?
Your Commitment Card allows you to make commitments to prayer, parish ministries and apostolates, and offertory giving, or what we call “time, talent, and treasure.” There’s a two-fold reason to complete your card. First, it is an excellent opportunity to move forward spiritually and personally. Second, when you fill out a card, our parish is much better able to manage our many volunteers and make budgeting decisions.
How many parish groups are there at Holy Apostles?
Ministry and Apostolates are a general term for any parish group, organization, or regular activity. There are dozens of opportunities in our parish. You can sign up to get involved, or re-commit yourself if you’re already involved.
What if I sign up, but later find I’m not interested?
You are not making a solemn promise to participate in a particular group when you mark it on your commitment card. If you find that the parish group is different than you thought, or simply that their meeting time doesn’t fit your schedule, you can change your mind. There are plenty of other ministries and apostolates to consider.
I’m hesitant to make a firm financial pledge. What if I lose my job?
Your commitment card isn’t a legal contract. If your circumstances change, your gift will change. In Scripture, we are asked to “give according to our means.” So if you lose your job, you may be unable to give at the level you pledged. Likewise, if you get a promotion, you may be able to give more. That is why at Holy Apostles, our standard of giving is based upon a percentage of income.
What happens if I don’t fill out a commitment card?
Returning a card is an important part of being an active member of Holy Apostles. If for some reason you lose your card, we’ll send you a reminder letter with an extra commitment card. It will also be available on the website. Please make every effort to return it!
Stewardship of Time
Our definition of Stewardship of Time: Using my time on earth wisely; making time for personal prayer, family prayer, growing in our faith, and quality time with friends and loved ones.
The bottom line about prayer: Without prayer, we cannot thrive spiritually. As Catholics, it is necessary to spend time each day speaking with and listening to God. This looks different for each person. It could include reading Scripture and praying formal prayers, but most importantly, it should include a heart-to-heart conversation with Jesus. He wants us to bring Him all our fears, longings, needs, and desires.
What kind of Time commitments should I make? Your commitment card lists several suggestions for how to spend time with God in prayer. Review your current prayer life and take a step forward. For instance, start having daily prayers with your children or spouse. Commit to praying the rosary on the way to work or reading Scripture before bed each night.
Stewardship of Talent
Our definition of Stewardship of Talent: Using my God-given abilities to strengthen the Church and help others, especially through parish ministries and activities.
The bottom line about parish involvement:
None of us exists in a vacuum. Scripture makes it clear that we must function within the wider faith community, putting our gifts in the service of others. Our attendance at Sunday Mass is important – but we also need to be active disciples involved in the mission of the Church.
What kind of Talent commitments should I make? If you’re not actively involved in our parish, now is the perfect opportunity to take a step forward. Check out our commitment card for a list of groups. If you’re already involved, re-commit yourself to the important work you do. And if you feel God is calling you forward – sign up for something new!
Stewardship of Treasure
Our definition of Stewardship of Treasure: The wise and just management of my financial resources; giving a proportionate amount of my income to the parish.
The bottom line about financial support: Everything we have comes from God. When we take seriously the Biblical concept of the tithe and start giving based on a percentage of our income, it is an act of trust that He can do more with whatever amount I commit than I can. It’s our responsibility to support the Church with our personal involvement and our financial support.
What kind of Treasure commitments should I make? Our goal at Holy Apostles is to work toward giving 10% of our income to God. Grab a calculator and figure out your target gift based on your total household income. Then make a plan for increasing your gift incrementally to reach 10%. During our Stewardship Renewal, choose a weekly or monthly gift to the parish, and be faithful to it for the next year. When you are discerning how much to give, keep in mind that the parish tithes a certain percentage of the offertory to charitable causes for those in need. Some people choose to tithe 10% to the parish; others give 5% to the parish and designate the rest to other religious organizations. Whatever you are able to give, remember that no one can outgive God!
Time, Talent, and Treasure
Please bring your Commitment Card to Mass on Commitment Sunday, October 14-15. How will you use your time, talent, and treasure in our parish?