International Catholic Stewardship Council
CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP
e-Bulletin • January 2014
A STEWARDSHIP PRAYER
for the New Year
Exercising Stewardship of God’s
Gifts in the New Year
Lord of new life,
Thank you for the gift of a new year.
You have entrusted us
with the coming days,
weeks and months as stewards
of your divine plan;
to live in gratitude, joy,
and an ever growing confidence
in your Kingdom to come.
We ask for the humility
to reform our lives;
the courage to commit ourselves
to you no matter the cost;
and the wisdom
to shine the light of faith
on others.
Open our hearts,
give us your Spirit
and show us how to
share your love
so that we may bring hope
to a world in need of your
justice and peace.
January is traditionally the time for New Year’s resolutions. It’s an ideal time to
take stock, reassess and recommit to a life lived for and in Jesus Christ. Here are
a few suggestions for the important areas of our faith life:
Stewardship of Prayer: Nothing is more important than cultivating a closer,
deeper relationship with God. Make a new commitment to a time each day to
listen to God’s voice.
Stewardship of Family: How often in our busy lives does time with family get
neglected? Resolve to find a special time with each family member each week.
Make sure that family meals are celebrated frequently. Plan a special family
outing once or twice a month, and go to Mass together. Resolve that when your
spouse or child speak, you will look at them and truly listen.
Although there is nothing in the Bible or notable in
Christian tradition about New Year’s resolutions,
many good stewards take advantage of this time of
year to become closer to the Lord.
We pray to be a sign of your
grace in this new year
through your son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God,
forever and ever.
Stewardship of Health: Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Without good
health, we lack the energy to serve the Lord well. Resolve to make that doctor
or dentist appointment. Make one healthy change in your eating habits. Add a
few minutes of extra exercise to each day’s routine.
Amen.
Stewardship of the Parish Family: Offer your service to the liturgy or a ministry
of your parish in the New Year. Enrich your parish and your parish experience
by becoming involved.
Stewardship of Possessions: Want less. Live more simply. Do you own your
possessions, or do they own you? Challenge yourself to sacrifice something you
like but that you know another person needs more than you.
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Stewardship of Money: Take charge
of your budget and your checkbook.
Reprioritize your financial goals to ensure that the Lord is coming first in the
expenditure of your wealth. Plan your
spending and don’t spend reactively or
impulsively.
Stewardship of Work: Do your best at
your chosen profession. Be honest and
faithful. Resolve to find a class or other
forum that will strengthen your knowledge and expertise. Bring a prayerful
attitude to your job.
STEWARDSHIP SAINT FOR JANUARY
Blessed André Bessette, C.S.C.
Blessed André Bessette was born
in 1845 in the village of SaintGrẻgoire d’Iberville, in what is
now the Archdiocese of Montreal, Canada. Baptized as Alfred,
by the time he was 12 he had to
work because both of his parents
had died. At age 22 he moved
to the United States, where he
labored alternately in mills and
on farms in New England. He
returned to Montreal where he
joined the Congregation of Holy
Cross in 1870 with the encouragement of Father André Provençal, who had observed Alfred
spending whole nights in prayer and sent a note with Alfred that read,
“I am sending you a saint.” Alfred made his final vows in 1874 and was
given the religious name of André. For some forty years Brother André
served as janitor, porter, infirmarian, gardener, baker of the altar bread
and in other capacities at the College of Our Lady of the Snows near
Montreal. In 1905, at age 60, Brother André was transferred to Mon-
Much attention centered on Brother André because of
the number of cures that were attributed to him,
so many, in fact, that he was called the
“Miracle Man of Montreal.”
Stewardship of Mind: Resolve to read
something regularly that enhances your
faith life. Resolve to learn more about
your faith and especially Catholic social teaching.�
Stewardship of Neighbor: Be aware of
those around you, whether it be your
co-workers, fellow parishioners, neighbors, restaurant workers or store employees. Everyone needs a smile and
Christian kindness.
Stewardship of the Poor: Resolve to
interact with the poor in some specific
way this year. Resolve to choose a time
and place to minister to the poor in
some way. Bring them into your prayer
life as well.
treal. From his childhood Brother André had
a strong devotion to Saint Joseph and spent
his life promoting devotion to the foster-father
of Jesus. He founded and helped to build the
Oratory of St. Joseph. The popularity of the
oratory grew as it became a place of pilgrimage because of the many healings attributed
to the intercession of Brother André and Saint
Joseph. It was referred to as the “Lourdes of Canada,” and became one
of the most popular shrines in North America drawing millions of pilgrims to Montreal. Much attention centered on Brother André himself
because of the number of cures that were attributed to him, so many, in
fact, that he was called the “Miracle Man of Montreal.” Brother André
died on January 6, 1937, at age 91. Over a million mourners processed
past his casket. He was beatified by Blessed John Paul II in 1982. His
feast is on January 6.
Nelson Mandela:
SAVE THE DATE
A Transformative Life AND SAVE THE COST
This December, death came to a man who
gave the world a potent example of a life
lived heroically in the struggle for justice.
Nelson Mandela, who died at age 95, exercised stewardship over his life in a way that
was transformational, for himself, his native
South Africa, and for people who value freedom everywhere. Born to a tribal chief in a
rural village, Mandela became an attorney
and early on began to use the politics of
resistance against his country’s brutally oppressive apartheid government. A brilliant
man whose personality and message resonated far beyond Soweto and other
impoverished South African ghettos, Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his
political actions and beliefs. Who among us could suffer such tribulation and
emerge as he did, not embittered, but filled with a hunger for justice imbued
with a spirit of compassion and reconciliation?
In prison, Mandela taught himself to speak Afrikaans, the language of his
white jailers. He also studied Afrikaaner history. Upon his release, he was
ready to meet his opponents on their own ground. In victory, his words were
magnanimous and forgiving:
I have fought against white domination. I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all
persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal
which I hope to live for and achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I
am prepared to die.
Mandela transcended bitterness, revenge,
the petty, personal hurts which tend to
undermine character, and instead set
his heart upon eternal principles of
freedom, justice and truth.
For Christian stewards, Mandela’s example of total commitment to the
good is not just edifying, but challenging. How does one embrace the virtues
that are more important than life itself? How does one put aside the strivings
of an ordinary life in the extraordinary pursuit of the common good of all? Although ultimately Mandela was not martyred for the leadership he provided a
movement, or the liberation he brought to a country, he in every sense spilled
out his life for their sake. Mandela transcended bitterness, revenge, the petty,
personal hurts which tend to undermine character, and instead set his heart
upon eternal principles of freedom, justice and truth. In his passing, we are
left to reflect on the life of an extraordinary person who walked among us on
this earth; and to wonder how our committed stewardship of the gospel message could transform this world.
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A Letter from
Pope Francis
TRUST
This article is part seven in a series of 12 reflections on stewardship virtues by
ICSC member, Dan Potvin, Director of Stewardship for the Archdiocese
of Winnipeg, Canada.
Good stewards acknowledge God as the ultimate source of all their gifts. Their
natural response is gratitude to God. When we are always and everywhere
grateful to God, we should then easily place our trust in God as well. Yet,
sometimes we misplace our trust. When we put our trust in ‘at-risk’ things
like our jobs, our bank accounts, or our ‘own’ abilities, rather than in God,
we become vulnerable to anxiety and fear. The outcome is worry! We worry
because ‘at-risk’ things can be taken away in a heartbeat. Trusting explicitly in
God opens the door to lasting peace of mind and joyful stewardship. Trusting in
God means that we have to let go of our need to be in complete control of our
lives and let go of our need to possess.
One of the very best habits for deepening our trust in God
is to reflect on His Word daily.
The foundation of any healthy relationship is trust. How does a person
develop their trust in God? As with all virtues we can only possess the virtue
through habit. One of the very best habits for deepening our trust in God is to
reflect on His Word daily. For example, St. Paul tells us:
God gives seed to farmers and provides everyone with food. He will increase
what you have, so that you can give even more to those in need. You will be
blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous
(2 Corinthians 9:10-11).
The virtue of trust is indeed the precondition that enables us to joyfully and
generously share our gifts. It’s easy to give what we do not need. However,
stewardship calls us to give out of our need, not from what is left over. The
confidence to give sacrificially is found in trusting that God will always provide
for our needs.
One final thought about trust; this virtue is surprisingly influential in the
stewardship of our physical and mental well-being. Have you ever worried yourself
sick? If you are prone to worry, reflect on these words from the late spiritual master,
Mahatma Gandhi: “There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who
has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever.”
Remember also the wisdom from the Book of Proverbs, “Trust in the Lord with all
your heart … and he will make your paths straight” (3:5-6).
“Money must serve, not rule!” This
is how Pope Francis emphasizes
one of seven major themes in his
pastoral letter, Evangelii Gaudium
(The Joy of the Gospel). Published
in November, the letter devotes itself to the subject of the new evangelization and how the church can
reform itself to embrace a renewed
sense of mission.
In his letter, Pope Francis expresses concern for the world’s poor,
reminding us that the rich have a
responsibility “…to help, respect
and promote the poor” (par. 58).
The pontiff is especially concerned
about the growing global economic inequity and challenges world
leaders to use economic systems in
a way that favors human beings:
Just as the commandment “Thou
shalt not kill” sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human
life, today we also have to say “thou
shalt not” to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills. How can it be that it is not
a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it
is news when the stock market loses
two points? (par. 53).
The pope is insistent: God calls
us to make a committed response
to the poor in a way that transcends
the logic of the marketplace.
In his Christmas message, Pope
Francis urged us to “place ourselves at the service of the poor,
make ourselves small and poor
with them.” He is challenging us
to exercise better stewardship of
Christ’s gospel message which includes loving God and neighbor,
especially the poor, the prisoners,
the sick, the outcast; all of whom
Jesus refers to in his teaching on
the final judgment of the nations
in Matthew 25:31-46. It is a call to
action Pope Francis urges upon us
as we move into this New Year.
A STEWARDSHIP MOMENT
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Weekend of January 4/5, 2014
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Weekend of January 18/19, 2014
In today’s second reading we hear the teachings of Saint Paul
to the members of the Church at Ephesus. He proclaims that
he, and they, are stewards of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and
therefore stewards of God’s loving, unifying and inclusive
grace. He also proclaims that the Holy Spirit is at work within
each of them, if only they would be open to the Spirit. Today, our world races by with intolerance, violence, desperate
poverty, fear and division. At the beginning of this New Year,
perhaps it is appropriate to reflect on Saint Paul’s words and
ask ourselves how we can be good stewards of the gospel
today. How will we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us?
How can we be better stewards of Christ’s justice and peace?
As the prophet Isaiah proclaims in the first reading, the Lord
continues to remind us that we are his servants. Imagine the
Lord speaking these words to you personally: “You are my
servant. Through you I show my glory. I formed you as my
servant from your mother’s womb. I will make you a light so
that you may shine the light of my salvation everywhere you
go, and reveal my glory to everyone you encounter. I will
give you the strength to do this. I will give you confidence.
Heed my words, for I have spoken to you.” What would
your response be to the Lord? Would it be different from the
response you give the Lord now?
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Weekend of January 25/26, 2014
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Weekend of January 11/12, 2014
Saint Matthew’s story of the baptism of Jesus is an appropriate
scripture reading to reflect on our own baptism. Jesus’ baptism has been understood as a symbol of his death. Baptism is
the sacrament by which we die to an old life of sin and enter
a new life of grace. We “put on Christ.” To be a good steward
of one’s baptism means to accept that one has new life in the
risen Lord and is willing to be guided by the life of Jesus. As
the new year begins to unfold, reflect on the meaning of your
own baptism, and how you might make an even deeper commitment to a new life in Christ Jesus.
International Catholic
Stewardship Council
1275 K Street, NW, Suite 880
Washington, DC 20005-4077
T: (800) 352-3452
F: (202) 682-9018
In today’s gospel we hear Jesus calling Peter, Andrew, James
and John to follow him. Following Jesus was a difficult journey for these first disciples. It is difficult for us today. Jesus
wants to teach us his way of thinking, acting and encountering the world. But it is not easy for us to embrace his teaching. Good stewards of Jesus’ teachings realize they are on a
spiritual journey, and must learn from their experiences of
being open and resistant to the gospel. They realize the need
to be liberated from those actions that keep them from enjoying a closer friendship with Jesus. What is it in our lives that
we need to reform? What keeps us from revealing God’s glory
to others?
We encourage you to check out the ICSC Forum at
www.catholicstewardship.org under ‘members’ where members can share
ideas and questions. The Parish Stewardship section is reviewed every day
by members of the Parish Stewardship Education and Services Committee.
www.catholicstewardship.org • [email protected]