Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

During this Jubilee Year of Hope, the Church invites us to be pilgrims of hope, journeying toward a deeper trust in God’s saving promises. Hope is the desire for eternal life with God, confidently trusting that through His grace, we will one day reach it. This knowledge of God’s promises is not something to be kept to ourselves but something that must shine forth in our words and actions. It is the Good News of our faith! As pilgrims of hope, we recognize that God has blessed us abundantly and continues to bless us each day. Our natural response to these blessings is one of gratitude.

Here at Holy Family Cathedral, we are called to live out this gratitude through stewardship. By practicing stewardship, we actively pursue eternal life and surrender all that we have to God, becoming beacons of hope to the world. Stewardship begins with commitment. Please take the time to read through the enclosed materials and prayerfully discern how you can grow in your commitment to God over the next year through your Time, Talent, and Treasure. Will you commit to spending time with Him daily in prayer? Will you share your talents by serving in one or more of our parish ministries? Will you demonstrate gratitude for your blessings by giving intentionally to the offertory, reflecting a percentage of your income?

Whether you are new to our parish or have participated in past Renewals, I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to embrace a hopeful way of living by filling out a Commitment Card this year.

Let us keep one another in prayer during this time of Renewal in the life of our parish.

In Christ,

Very Rev. Brian O’Brien,

Rector

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The Renewal

    As we enter into our annual Stewardship Renewal this month, Fr. Brian O’Brien is asking each of us to examine our own lives and determine the areas that are in need of growth. Before the stewardship way of life can totally transform our cathedral parish, it must first begin in each of our hearts. As each individual’s spiritual life blossoms and grows, so will our parish as a whole. Will you plant the seed of stewardship in your own heart?

 

How do I use my Commitment Card?

Your commitment card allows you to make commitments to prayer, parish ministries, and offertory giving. It is designed to be used by the whole family. Time Section: Except for the ill and homebound, everyone should be able to check “Come to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days.” Try to check at least a few other items. Daily prayer should be a priority for every person trying to grow closer to God. Talent Section: You can either sign up for new ministries or re-commit to your current ministries. Be sure to write your first name next to the ministry! This is especially important if the card is being used by more than one person. Treasure Section: Clearly print how much money you plan to give each week or month to our parish. Try to take a step toward giving five percent of your income to Holy Family Cathedral. Is your prayer life in need of a tune-up?

Honestly ask yourself, “How much time do I spend in prayer each week?” The answer is probably a bit embarrassing. Everyone wants to spend more time in prayer, but there’s just never enough time to do everything we want to do. Good intentions are just that: intentions. This year, as you’re discerning how you will offer your time to God, resolve to follow through with your commitments. Consider each moment you spend in prayer as nourishment for your soul. The spiritual health of our parish is only as strong as the sum of its parts (individual parishioners).

 

Is your level of parish involvement in need of a boost?

We give our talents back to God when we get involved in ministries at Holy Family Cathedral. And, with a host of ministries to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Sure, ministries give parishioners opportunities to serve others in the community, but they also benefit those in the ministry itself. Ask anyone who actively participates in a ministry at Holy Family Cathedral, “Why do you enjoy serving in this way?” They’ll probably say, “I get more out of the ministry than the people I serve.” This year, as you’re discerning how you will offer your talents to God, consider signing up for a ministry that may benefit you, like a Bible study, prayer group, or retreat. Or, contribute to an outreach ministry where your good deeds not only help others in the community, but also give you feelings of satisfaction and thankfulness.

 

Do you give a percentage of your income to the offertory?

It may be hard to see offertory giving as a way to “help yourself,” but when we approach the subject from a spiritual viewpoint, it can lead to individual spiritual growth and an increase in faith. Even the savviest businessperson worries about his or her personal finances from time to time. Adding a weekly offertory check to the list of monthly bills may seem crazy, but, ultimately, sacrificial giving forces us to cut unnecessary spending, create a budget, and have faith that God will help us make it through the month. All of these are good things for each of us, individually. After faithfully giving to the offertory for a few months, many Catholics find that it’s not only possible to give a weekly offering, but that the fruits of their gift far outweigh the expense.

At Holy Family Cathedral, we ask that you give five percent to our parish, one percent to the diocese, and four percent to other charities. Why a percentage of income? First, because the tithe (10 percent) is a scriptural benchmark that the Church has honored for centuries (see Malachi 3:10). Secondly, we give a percentage of income because it is a common-sense standard by which everyone can equitably support the parish. Most of all, we give because we believe God comes first in everything, even finances.

 

Commitment Weekend is August 23-24. Don’t forget to bring your Commitment Card to Mass!