Who Is A Christian Steward?
Guided by Scripture, the Christian steward is a person whose prayer leads to a constant awareness that God is the creator of all blessings in life. he is the origin of life, giver of freedom, and the source of all things. Jesus presented the ultimate gift to God – the gift of His life – and we, too, are called to follow in Jesus’ footsteps by:
- Receiving God’s gifts gratefully
- Cultivating them responsibly
- Sharing them lovingly in justice with others and
- Returning them with increase to the Lord.
Stewards of the Church
As members of the Church, we are called to be disciples, followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. This has astonishing implications:
- Mature disciples make a conscious decision to follow Jesus no matter what the cost.
- Christian disciples experience conversion – changes of mind and heart – and commit their very selves to the Lord
- Christian stewards respond in a particular way to the call to be a disciple. Stewardship has the power to shape and mold our understanding of our lives and the way in which we live.
All members of the Church have a unique role to play in carrying out Christ’s mission of proclaiming and teaching, serving and sanctifying:
- Parents by nurturing their children in the light of the faith
- Parishioners by working in concrete ways to make their parishes true communities of faith and vibrant sources of service to the larger community, and
- All Catholics by giving generous support – time in prayer, money and personal service to parish and diocesan programs and to the universal Church.
Life Is Your Gift Stewardship Prayer
Creator God, Life is your gift to us.
Through Baptism, You invite us to share the gift of our lives in service to others. Be with us as we choose each day to show your Presence in our world. Give us courage and generosity to respond to your love, to your call.
We pray especially for those who serve you in ministry throughout the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. May we bear the “Good News” to those in need. Keep us close to you.
Open the minds and hearts of those gathered today that we may accept your challenge to build vibrant and engaged communities in our parishes, our Archdiocese, and our world, living Stewardship as a Way of Life.
For if not us, who? If not here, where? If not now, when? If not for Your Kingdom, why?
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
