What Identifies a Steward?
Safeguarding material and human resources and using them responsibly are one answer; so is generous giving of time, talent, and treasure. But being a Christian steward means more. As Christian stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord.
We plant seeds, knowing they hold hope for the future. We lay foundations, knowing much building must follow. There is a sense of liberation, however, in realizing this. We can do something, and we can do it very well. We can take the first step in making a difference, knowing that we may never see the end of the road, the results of our actions, the recipients of our giving. We receive and offer the gift of hope. The harvest will come.
Many of our days are spent "growing dirt," preparing the soil for future plantings. That is an act of hope. We know we are only workers, not the Master Gardner. Accepting the gifts of silence, light, the guiding Spirit and hope, we are co-creators of the future, which is in God's hands.
Pillars of Stewardship
The four pillars of stewardship are Hospitality, Prayer, Formation and Service. These pillars invite parishioners to experience, witness and live the stewardship way of life in response to their baptismal call to discipleship. Each baptized person is called to give of time, talent and treasure to strengthen these four pillars that support the parish community – your parish community.
Stewardship at St. Martin Parish:
Discipleship calls us to more than membership; it calls us to active stewardship. To support all the ministries of the parish, we need every family's active stewardship in the parish. Active stewardship includes a commitment to: pray, participate and sacrificially give. Parishioners are invited to support our parish and school by participating in our parish life as liturgical ministers, volunteering for various duties and assisting with other parish activities. The 2022 Ministry Ministry Guide identifies the various ministries at St. Martin Parish:
- 2023-24 Parish Ministry Guide
- 2023 Budget Process
- 2023 Purchase Requests By Ministries Process
- Ministry Information BLANK 2023
- Ministry Information SAMPLE 2023
- Purchase Request Form BLANK 2023
- Purchase Request Form SAMPLE 2023
- 2023 Stewardship Council Charter
After reviewing the Parish Ministry Guide, use the Stewardship Commitment Form to indicate areas in which you would like to be involved. The form may be returned to the parish office or placed in the back of church.
If your family prefers to submit your church tithing electronically, use the ACH form below to set up your EFT.
The fact we are Catholic is not only manifested in the beauty of our churches; it is in our daily living as generous stewards.
I invite you to consider the ways in which you make room for God in your life through your personal, ongoing faith formation; by your active charitable works; and by personal prayer and active participation in Mass.
Be not afraid to give yourself to Christ by being a generous steward. You will not regret it.