Stewardship is a way of life for us at St. Francis Xavier. It is the way in which we follow Jesus’ example and give ourselves and our lives for the sake of the Gospel. And our Stewardship Council serves to facilitate the many ways we live the stewardship way of life throughout the year.
“Heeding the call of Jesus to use our earthly gifts for the sake of the reign of God, the Stewardship Council promotes stewardship as a way of life within the parish,” says Tim Trojan, who served as the council chair in 2022. “The council works to educate and inspire parishioners to make commitments of time, talent, and treasure to the parish community.”
Tim has served on the council since 2019 when his wife, Jessie, served as the chair.
“When Jessie was chair of the council, I started to assist,” Tim says. “It was then that I witnessed the importance of living stewardship as a way of life — starting in our family and then in our parish, and then within our greater community. Stewardship provides the coordination of personal and parish efforts that more effectively allow us to fulfill our mission of evangelization.”
Indeed, when Christ ascended into Heaven, he left the disciples with a great commission — “Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). In that same vein, He has entrusted each one of us with individual talents and time and treasure with which to make disciples. It is our responsibility to use those gifts for God’s greater glory.
“Only through conscious choices to live for Jesus can we use those talents to produce meaningful fruits,” Tim says.
On a practical level, the Stewardship Council gathers once a month to discuss the ways in which they can help our parish as a whole and the ministries individually to increase the effectiveness of our efforts to live stewardship. In addition, the council organizes our annual Stewardship Renewal and assists the ministries within the parish to facilitate continual renewal of stewardship.
“Serving on the council is a year-round commitment to stewardship,” Tim says. “It’s easy to see the Stewardship Renewal and to view stewardship as a one-time event, but it is not. Stewardship takes a daily decision to live our lives for Christ. As a part of the council, I have been blessed to help other parishioners recognize that.”
What’s more, Tim says that being on the council has allowed him to meet more parishioners and to personally take greater ownership in the life of our parish.
“Serving on the council has provided me with many opportunities to contemplate how I am daily living the stewardship way of life,” Tim says. “Many of the council members have continually challenged me to step up my life of prayer. It has been such a blessing.”
Every one of us has the responsibility to live this life — to give God back the first fruits of the gifts He has given to us, and it is vital that we daily contemplate how we are doing so and strive to do better.
“Purposeful giving of oneself opens your eyes to the true meaning of life and allows you to reach beyond the self-centered state idolized by the modern world,” Tim says.
How is God calling you to serve? There is a place for you!
If you are interested in serving as a part of the Stewardship Council, contact the parish office at 405-372-6886.