Stewardship

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is a stewardship parish.

As disciples of Christ, we proclaim the Gospel, celebrate the Eucharist, serve others, and journey together for the greater glory of God.

Stewardship is our grateful response to God’s goodness and the gifts he bestows. We embrace this way of life as our opportunity to serve Christ in the world by cultivating and sharing those gifts for the betterment of others.

We live with joy and gratitude for the blessings we have received, and we look for ways to share those blessings. No longer do we view time and material goods as “our own,” but “ours to share.” Through lives of prayer and service, we discern God’s call and respond with joy.

How do you practice stewardship?

• • • Evangelize and witness to the Gospel
    • Teach the faith – formally or informally
    • Be a good parent of the domestic church (your family!)
    • Nurture simplicity of life
    • Recycle and reuse
    • Be a subtle lay witness at work and school
    • Spend wisely
    • Adopt a collaborative spirit in parish life and ministries
    • Visit the sick and elderly. Call Grandma!
    • Work for peace and justice

Stewardship can be as simple as an individual gesture of kindness and as deeply rooted as a committee’s work toward social justice and peace. It is the power of the Gospel coming alive in our time and circumstance.

Here at St. Francis Xavier, our Stewardship Committee strives to encourage parishioners to embrace a stewardship lifestyle through a variety of ministries and events. We work to engage parishioners in the life of the parish so all feel welcome to share their gifts of time, talent and treasure so they may grow, flourish and enrich our vibrant and caring community.

Each year, the Stewardship Committee offers parishioners an opportunity to review their spiritual (time), ministry (talent) and financial offering (treasure) commitments through our Stewardship Renewal Campaign. Of course, you may join a ministry any time of the year, but the renewal campaign allows for an orderly examination of our commitments to God and our parish.

First, we pray. Attend Mass weekly – or more often – to hear God’s voice and partake in Holy Communion, which uniquely forms us as the Body of Christ. See our home page for Mass times.

Next, take a look at the ministries outlined under each tab and review our commitment card. Ask God where he wants you to become involved. Quietly listen for his answer. It will come.

Perhaps, after prayerful discernment and years of work in a particular ministry, you decide to try something new. That’s OK! It opens the door for new people and fresh ideas. We are grateful for your witness and service, wherever you are called to be.

Think about challenging yourself by increasing your weekly offering. Take a step in faith! Also, sign up for our reliable and secure electronic fund transfer (EFT) Agreement for Automated Giving.

Maybe God’s calling you to take a step back and focus more on prayer. Try joining a Lenten faith sharing group or pray monthly with fellow Avilas for our priests.

God has blessed you with many gifts, and they are needed and valued to make our community whole! In sharing those gifts, you will feel fulfilled and rewarded, “for it is in giving that we receive.”

Don’t see what you are looking for? Need help finding where you belong? Have a suggestion for a new ministry or talent you can share? We’d love to hear from you!

Call Jennifer Webb, parish director of ministry and communication, at 330-764-8946 or email jwebb@sfxmedina.org.

What’s next?

• • • 1. Commitment cards are collected each year during Mass, but they may be dropped off at the parish office at any time of the year.
      2. Your ministry leader(s) will contact you to welcome you and inform you of how you can become involved.
      3. If you don’t get a call, please forgive the error and call Jennifer Webb, SFX director of ministry and communication, at 330-764-8946 or email jwebb@sfxmedina.org.

“The stewardship of disciples is not reducible only to one task or another. It involves embracing, cultivating, enjoying, sharing – and sometimes giving up – the goods of human life. Christians live this way in the confidence that comes from faith: for they know that the human goods they cherish and cultivate will be perfected – and they themselves will be fulfilled – in that Kingdom, already present, which Christ will bring to perfection and one day hand over to the Father.” – Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2002.