Stewardship of Prayer at a Catholic Church

Prayer Fair at St. Augustine Parish in Oak Harbor, Washington

A big thank you to St. Augustine Parish for sharing their excellent information about holding a Prayer Fair Weekend in the parish.  They had theirs on the weekend before Lent (this year that was February 22 and 23) and it was very successful.  It was sponsored by the Stewardship Commission to help parishioners explore ways to deepen their relationship with God.  Barb Dumit was kind enough to share a complete template on planning, holding, and follow up for a Prayer Fair.  If you would like a copy, just email parishstewardship@seattlearch.org.  For a sneak peek, see some of their suggestions below:

• Hold Mass in Parish Hall
• Set up identical booths on either side
• These booths include all prayer ministries, books including the Little Black Book for Lent, and some new ideas that involved interaction with the youth in the Parish (see below)
• After the Homily, Father had parishioners get up and 'shop' for new ways to Pray (he gave them 10 minutes)

This interactive approach was carried forward in the follow up steps with a big cross built by  the youth.  Parishioners were invited to write the 'burdens of their hearts' on sticky notes and attach them to the cross.  The youth, prayed for these 'burdens' throughout the following week.  Over 300 prayer notes were attached to the cross.  What a beautiful way to involve youth in sharing, caring and praying and being Stewardship of Time models for the whole community.  Congratulations, St. Augustine Parish for this inspirational and practical way to be good Stewards of Prayer.  For more ideas and a complete template don't forget to email parishstewardship@seattlearch.org. 

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Catholic Stewardship of Emotions during Tragedy and Disaster

 

When Natural Disaster Strikes

When a natural disaster strikes, there are no easy answers.  The pain is so horrible and so raw that the mind begins to shut down. One question those of us a step removed from disaster need to ask ourselves, is how do we as good stewards handle the emotional impact of tragedy?  There are many very human reactions.  As a young person, I tried to hide from tragedy, never listening to the news, plugging my ears so I didn’t have to hear about anything that was sad. As a youth and young adult, I told myself that it was someone else’s problem and not my worry.  I built a thick shell and only acknowledged the bright side of life.  I learned that hiding from the bad in this world, or making it someone else’s problem didn’t make it go away. Sooner or later, we all have to face sadness and tragedy in our own lives, those of our loved ones, even our community and we need to be good stewards of our emotions to do that in a healthy way.  After working in a parish for many years, listening to stories of sadness that inevitably come to a church, helping to prepare funerals for old and young alike and being part of a community where I was aware of the tragedy and the joy in people’s lives, I learned through my dear Pastor and parish staff friends that turning to God is the only light in the darkness.  It is only right that we pray our way through tragedy in our own lives and in the lives of others.  Whether we are first responders, collectors of needed items, listeners to others grief, or givers of money, we are good stewards of our own emotions and warriors to help those hardest hit, if we pray without ceasing for God’s peace and presence in the midst of disaster.  A better person than I said:

“Jesus did not come to explain away suffering or remove it.  He came to fill it with His presence.”  Paul Claudel     This is not a pat answer or just easy words to say.  We are challenged to believe those words. I have heard many say when they look back on terrible tragedies in their lives, that God must have carried them through because without Him life would have been impossible.  Let us ‘steward’ (take care of) all who are suffering by responding as best we can by holding them continually in prayer.

Catholic Stewardship - Children Lead the Way

Immaculate Conception-Our Lady of Perpetual Help School -  3rd Grade Banner 

 
 

Forming Good Catholic Stewards

When we think of forming good Stewards, where should we start?  Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Everett has the right idea.  To form good Stewards they began at the beginning!  Third Graders at the school, created a Stewardship banner and had a Stewardship Prayer Service.  See below for how they began their prayer service.  Good Stewards in the making, indeed!  Please share with us any stewardship formation gems your parish or school might have by contacting parishstewardship@seattlearch.org.
 

Catholic School Stewardship Prayer Service

Student:  Good morning.  Welcome to our Stewardship Prayer Service. Stewardship is how we take care of everything God has given us.  God has given us a lot.  He has given us life.  He has given us family like moms and dads, grandmothers and grandfathers, or others who care for us.  God has given us a great world to live in and friends to share it with.

Student: Stewardship comes from the word steward.  A good steward is one who does a good job taking care of something.  If we want to be good stewards for God, we must take care of the many things God has given us.  That includes friendships and family, our gifts and abilities, our money and our world.  We respond to God’s great gifts by giving back to Him.  God is happy when we take care of these things and in return give to Him.

Student:  In order to be a good steward you must share yourself in prayer, service and giving.  There is nothing too big or too small for God.

Student:  God listens to ALL prayers.  God is always there willing and eager to listen to what we have to say.

Student:  God gives everyone the ability to do something well.  Use your abilities to serve your family, community and church.

Student:  Be giving of what God has given you.  Give your time, talent and treasure.  Give to make your world, your community, your school and your church a better place.

Student:  Be trustworthy; be a hard worker; be kind to others; be kind to the earth; be generous; and follow the Ten Commandments.

Opening Hymn (Please Stand) Choose your own hymn

Opening Prayer

Student:  We begin our Stewardship Prayer Service In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Good and loving God source of every grace and blessing.  We bring you thanks as we gather today to thank you for the many gifts you have given us.  We seek to be good stewards, Lord.  Bless us as we gather to share Your gifts.  Send us Your Spirit and be present among us – in the mouths of all who speak, in the ears of all who listen, as the heart of all we say and do, we ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen

 

(Customize Prayer Service as to the needs of your community)

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