Stewardship Homily

29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

October 20/21, 2007 

  Good Morning!  It’s that time again! That time when once a year the pastor talks about the “M” word… money.  Each September every parish in the Diocese of Joliet is required to submit a financial report to the Diocese for the fiscal year that ended June 30^th.  Pastors along with the Parish Finance Council and Administration Commission are also required to give an accounting to their parishioners.  And so in today’s bulletin is the financial report we sent to the Diocese.  While the report gives the “numbers”, we also felt it important to put some “flesh” on those numbers by sharing with you a synopsis of some of what we have been able to provide at St. Michael’s because of your donations.  Please take the time to read this narrative, and remember it is only a “snap-shot” of the many ministries, services, and outreach that we have provided during the fiscal year July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.

   Today I stand before you, not to review the figures – if you have questions about our financial report, any member of the Administration Commission would be more than happy to speak with you – but more importantly I stand before you today to say “Thank You”!  Thank you for sharing your blessings with the St. Michael Parish Community.  I can’t thank you enough for your generosity, support and trust – that the donations you  contribute to St. Michael Church – are managed and spent responsibly.  Recently our new Bishop spoke to the priests of the Diocese about getting “our house in order” – both at the Diocesan and parish level.  He wants us to practice good management, careful to observe correct accounting procedures and compliance of applicable laws.  I can assure you that I and your Finance Council, Administration Commission, and parish staff at all levels are committed to being faithful stewards with the funds you entrust to us.  With my full support, our Finance Council and Administration Commission have worked with our new Business Manager to enhance the transparency of our reporting and communications to our parish organizations, departmental staffs, and you, our parishioners!  While I as pastor am the only one who has a fiduciary responsibility to you and the Diocese, I am most grateful to the parishioners who advise me as members of our Finance Council and Administration Commission.  Their expertise is most helpful and given in the spirit of care for St. Michael Church. 

   There is another reason I choose the autumn of the year to share with you the financial report of our parish.  As it is harvest time we can’t help but be grateful for the blessings that God lavishly pours upon us!  And it is a time that calls us to reflect upon our stewardship of the many gifts we have received – our very life – the time, talents, and treasure we have – and while we often think that the treasure we have is the result of the fruits of OUR labor, in fact ALL is still a gift from God.  To be a good steward of the gifts God has entrusted to us is to share a portion of those gifts, out of a spirit of gratitude, with others.  I have seen that spirit alive and well at St. Michael’s, not only in the campaign to build our new church, but the yearly increase in our main source of income to support the ministries and temporal needs of our parish – the Sunday collection.

   As I do yearly at this time, I ask you to consider increasing your Sunday offering.  As you well know, just keeping up with the rising cost of utilities and other expenses in maintaining your own home, are also faced by the parish.  But more importantly, and especially since being in our new church for over a year now, there has been a great spirit of service and ministry touching people’s lives here at St. Michael’s.  It is my prayer that we can continue and expand our ministries to families, singles, young adults, seniors, and those desperately searching for a spiritual home, needing healing through counseling and support.  Our parish Pastoral Council has just begun the process for developing a long range pastoral plan for our parish, assessing our needs and developing a strategy to meet those needs.  And so, your support is critically needed to help us touch the lives of others.

   I am well aware that many demands are made upon your financial resources.  Those with families often struggle to make ends meet.  Seniors on fixed incomes face ever increasing costs of health care and medications – and every charity tugs at our hearts. I can only ask that you believe in the mission of St. Michael Church, and in doing so would support our mission and ministry by making St. Michael Church a priority in your charitable giving.

   This week you will receive a letter from me asking you to prayerfully consider an increase in your Sunday contribution beginning in November.  I would ask that you return your stewardship intention form to the parish office by the end of October.  Also, for the first time we are providing the option of on-line giving through the secure and confidential ParishPay program.

  Persistence is the theme of today’s readings.  Persistence is a virtue and often leads to unexpected results.  There is the story of a new pastor visiting the homes of his parishioners.  As he walked from house to house, he was frustrated because many people were not at home.  He realized he would need to be really persistent if he was going to fulfill his plan to visit every home.  It reminded him of today’s Gospel story about the persistent widow who finally won her case before the corrupt judge.  He resolved to be persistent – to knock harder, longer and louder.  At the next house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks.  He had a good memory for Bible quotations, so he took out his business card and wrote “Revelation 3:20” on the back of it and stuck it in the door.  He hoped the homeowner would look up the Bible verse it referred to: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”  The following week, when the Sunday offering was being counted and recorded, he found that his card had been returned.  Added to is was simply: “Genesis 3:10”  (Anybody know what that is?)  Reaching for his Bible, he turned to the third chapter of Genesis…”I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.”!

   I assure you I won’t be THAT persistent is seeking your support, but I trust and pray you will do the best you can in supporting St. Michael Church.  And as always, I am deeply grateful for the support you give to our parish and to me personally.

Thank you and God bless you!