We had a wonderful clergy convocation early in May at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. Almost all of our priests and quite a few deacons attended an excellent workshop on Stewardship, led by Mr. Michael Murphy, executive director of the International Catholic Stewardship Council, and Father David Zimmer, of the Diocese of Bismarck (North Dakota). Our diocese is planning a comprehensive program of stewardship for all parishes, schools and diocesan organizations, which will begin in the fall of 2011. We are currently in the planning phase as we organize committees and tailor the stewardship program to our diocese. Obviously, our wonderful priests play a pivotal role in leading the stewardship program and the convocation was an excellent opportunity to get their input and at the same time review the key elements to this way of life. I say “way of life” because stewardship involves our response to God; a response of gratitude for all God gives us. It is really a type of spirituality because this program entails our prayerful response as we live our lives day in and day out. I will be saying a whole lot more in the months ahead. In the meantime, many thanks to all the clergy who have begun the process of making our local Church a stewardship diocese. And thanks to Shannon Lee, Director of the Office of Stewardship, for all her hard work.
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