According to British author Oscar Wilde, “the only difference between saints and sinners is that every saint has a past while every sinner has a future.” As stewards, we all are sinners, and we all have a future. We are called by God to strive to become saints, and we can only reach that distinction […]
Eric McArdle: Service with a Smile
We all love excellent customer service. When we go to a fast food restaurant and the person who takes our order tells us, “It’s our pleasure,” we feel like we are treated politely. When we order a product online and it doesn’t work and the company immediately sends us a free replacement with no questions […]
Ed Laughlin: Eight Signs of a Stewardship Parish
People often ask, “What is a stewardship parish?” The answers to that question can be varied and subject to endless debate. The following represents eight key areas where parishes need to ask themselves how they are doing. Prayer: The authentic steward must be rooted in the sanctifying presence of Christ through prayer and sacraments that […]
Stewardship Reflection on Lectionary Readings: January 27, 2013
January 27, 2013 – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Neh 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10; Ps 19:8-10, 15; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21 One of the challenges in today’s society is the belief that faith is a very personal thing, something between oneself and God. Even among those who consider themselves Catholic many maintain that they […]
Stewardship Bulletin Reflection: January 27, 2013
January 27, 2013 – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Neh 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10; Ps 19:8-10, 15; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21 One of the challenges in today’s society is the belief that faith is a very personal thing, something between oneself and God. Even among those who consider themselves Catholic many maintain that they […]
Eric McArdle: Parental Pride
Have you ever noticed what happens when someone compliments a mother or father on a child’s accomplishments? Instinctively, the parent responds proudly with “thank you.” Although it’s probably just a polite reflex, it’s almost as if we as parents believe we are responsible for our child’s gifts. As if they wouldn’t be intelligent, athletic, musically […]
Register Now for the Msgr. McGread Stewardship Conference
The next Msgr. Thomas McGread Stewardship Conference is fast approaching. There are limited spaces remaining, so we would like to extend an invitation to attend this one-of-a-kind event to followers of The Catholic Steward blog. The next conference will be held March 6-7. If you’re interested and would like to reserve your space at the […]
Ed Laughlin: The Stewardship of Time
A steward is one who manages and administrates what has been entrusted to her or him by another. For us, we are stewards of what God has given us, which is everything. Therefore, stewardship is the careful and responsible management of all that God has entrusted to our care. The three traditional legs on the […]
Stewardship Reflection on Lectionary Readings: January 20, 2013
January 20, 2013 – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 62:1-5; Ps 96:1-3, 7-10; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Jn 2:1-11 Although last Sunday was the First Sunday in Ordinary Time, it was also the Holy Baptism of the Lord, so this Sunday is the first time in the Church year we actually see the term “ordinary […]
Stewardship Bulletin Reflection: January 20, 2013
January 20, 2013 – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 62:1-5; Ps 96:1-3, 7-10; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Jn 2:1-11 Today’s Gospel from John includes the story of the Miracle at the Wedding Feast in Cana. The wedding feast in Cana is always the Gospel reading for this Sunday because it is there that Christ is […]
