33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

    Next Sunday we will be having offertory commitment Sunday.  Stewardship is something that we emphasize in our parish.  Our church is a charity.  Christians need to support all charity in the world.  Christians who are motivated by their religious convictions unselfishly serve the world in many ways.  Our parish cannot function without the gifts people offer on a regular basis.  We have people who teach our youngsters.  We have many liturgical ministers.  A great number of people engage in pastoral care to the sick.  Dozens of people give time and talent in so many ways.

During the last year as everybody knows we have had a massive capital fund drive.  Our parishioners have given almost 2.5 million dollars to our Sacred Heart Parish and Seton School.  It is for that reason that construction has been going on feverously on our campus the last six months.  Part of stewardship is to take care of the assets that are entrusted to us.  Our buildings are given to us in trust and maintaining them is an act of faith.

This week you will be getting a mailing which asks all parishioners to reconsider what is given in the offertory.  The monies in the offertory pay our ongoing bills for things like lights, heat, salaries, etc.  We need to pay these expenses if we are to have a vibrant ministry.  When you get your pledge card for Offertory Commitment Sunday consider prayerfully if you can make an increase in your weekly giving. Next week you will have an opportunity to make a covenant with God regarding your offertory gift for next year.

Included in the mailing this year is a booklet written by Ben Scott. He offers a series of reflection on how he handles possessions.  I leave you with his words:

“If a man looks on his possessions as given to him for nothing but his own comfort and convenience, they are a chain which must be broken; if he looks on his possessions as a means to helping others, they are his crown.”

Blessings

Fr. Mark