On this stewardship weekend at St. Ignatius, we are invited to reflect upon the use of our time, talent and treasures that we have offered to the Lord over the last twelve months. Stewardship weekend isn’t just about money. It’s about our willingness to contribute to the mission and ministry of our parish using all the blessings that God has given us. No matter what our circumstances in life might be, all of us are capable of making offerings to God through the church. To be sure, these offerings can take many different forms. Gifts of our time and talents as well as our financial gifts all work together to make Christ’s presence and power accessible and real to both Catholics in our area and to others as well.
In line with Stewardship Weekend, a Financial Report is being sent to all the registered households of the parish. In this report you will find important financial information about our parish—both blessings and challenges—and the invitation to all parishioners to take stock of their relationship to the parish and to renew their commitment.
People look at their parish in different ways. Some people who are highly business-minded often see the parish as a kind of business. They look closely at income and expenses and view the health strictly in those terms.
Other people view the parish largely as a kind of family. For them, financial considerations are not foremost in their minds. Rather, it’s the bonds of friendship and parish activities that loom large. I like to think of the parish as a community of faith. It’s one that takes on both aspects of both a professional organization as well as a family. It’s a kind of religious organization that has no counterpart in secular society. Maybe that’s because church is not a human invention; rather, it is instituted by God in Christ and in God’s holy Spirit—even despite its sin.
The Beacons of Light planning process challenges all Catholics in the archdiocese to deepen their Catholic identity through the life of faith. In a highly commercialized culture, it’s easy to view ourselves as “religious patrons” rather than authentic disciples of Jesus. If we are merely patrons of the church, we Revised Mass Schedule for this week The week of September 26th the priests will be attending a convocation out of town. See the revised Mass Schedule for the week of September 25th. Monday, September 26th – Communion Service @ 7:00 pm Tuesday through Thursday 7:00 am Mass is cancelled Tuesday morning 9:15am Mass Wednesday morning Communion Service at 9:15am Thursday morning 9:15am Mass Friday we resume the regular Mass schedule. simply expect various religious goods and services to come to us in exchange for our support. But if we are disciples, we don’t ask what the church can do for us. Instead, we ask how we can make Christ more present to others by the lives we lead. We look for a parish that not only feeds our spiritual needs, but helps us serve the needs of others. That’s discipleship. It’s what Stewardship Weekend is all about.
Thanks to so many parishioners–especially school children and faculty– who offered cards and best wishes on my birthday. Evidently, things like this can’t be kept a secret! May God bless you for your kindness!
