Dear parishioners and visitors,
Over the last year, the Church of St. Peter has received many gifts from our parishioners; thanks be to God for our faith. We have been moved by the love and generosity of so many in this community. We are, of course, amazed by the many monetary gifts we have received, but most of all we are deeply moved by the desire to share gratuitously the time and talents of so many people.
We have been experiencing how true, real, and concrete, Saint Peter’s words are: “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
The greatest gift we have all received is our faith, the gift of our salvation in Christ present here and now, and alive in His body the Church. Our parish exists as part of Christ’s body and our goal does not consist in any human program. It is Christ’s mission of salvation towards the world as the Son of God.
In recognition of this generosity, and with an increased awareness of the blessings received by our community, we formed a stewardship committee of parishioners. They have spent the last several months studying, reflecting on, and praying about how to develop an active stewardship way of life at the Church of St. Peter. We are excited to enhance and enrich our faith and grow closer to Christ. Over the next few months, we will focus on the key elements of active discipleship to help us all in the awareness of being in a relationship with God our creator to whom all things belong.
What’s Stewardship?
Stewardship is a way that leads us to a deeper relationship with God. We are not our own, we belong to God our loving father. He gives us everything we need. Stewardship answers the “need to give to God, not giving to a need” as a way to live Christ like. We learn to offer him our prayers, time and talent, and treasure in gratitude and fulfillment. God is a communion of life-giving Persons. We sincerely long to honor the deep and infinite human desire of a life giving person that our God created human beings with.
Stewardship of Prayer
As God is a communion of life-giving Persons throughout the month of September, we will learn about Stewardship of Prayer. We will explore the importance of an active prayer life and the many prayerful opportunities to enhance or begin your Stewardship of Prayer. You will be provided an opportunity to make a commitment of time and prayer.
Stewardship of Time & Talent
As God is a communion of life-giving Persons in October, we will introduce Stewardship of Time and Talent. We will increase awareness and understanding of the many ways God is calling you to share your gifts of time and talent. At the end of the month you will have an opportunity to commit your time and talents to ministries important to our parish family.
Stewardship of Treasure
As God is a communion of life-giving Persons this stewardship formation series will conclude in November with Stewardship of Treasure. As members of God’s family, we are called to give of ourselves in gratitude for the many gifts we’ve received from the Lord. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches we will ask each parish household to reflect on their God-given gifts, and make a monetary pledge to the parish for their weekly giving for 2020.
Stewardship is a way of life.
As living disciples, we ask everyone to actively engage in the life of the parish.
First, we welcome and accept the fact that God is the source of all things. Second, we are responsible and accountable for all his gifts. Third, we are to be Christ-like, generous as the scriptures say in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, “Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need; you may have an abundance for every good work.”
We encourage each other to deepen our prayer life, reflect on our God-given gifts and how we can share them with our parish family. Together we’ll work to grow in our understanding of stewardship as a way of life and conversion. We look forward to the many blessings this will bring to us, our families, and our parish.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Jose C ortez
Fr. Ettore Ferrario
Fr. Pietro Rossotti
Parishioners:
Jeff Peterson, Tricia Hengemuhle, Kari Erpenbach, Patti Teachout, Katie Gentner, Drew Slagle