Stewardship is a way of life, a way that begins with acknowledging God as the creator and giver of all and responding with generosity and the responsible management of our resources. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are caretakers of all God has given to us. Our gratitude for these gifts and blessings is expressed in prayer, worship, tithing and sharing our gifts out of love for God and one another.
In the Catholic faith we ask the faithful to give of their Time, Talent and Treasure. If we are unable to give much in one area we try to show our gratitude by giving in another area.
Stewardship is a path to holiness. It makes us more like Christ who came not to be served, but to serve. It is the humble awareness that all we have and all we are has been given to us freely from God. When we offer our lives back to God in love, He blesses that generosity a hundredfold.
Stewardship in the Bible
The message of stewardship has been part of the salvation history of the Church. In the Old Testament, we learn that Adam and Eve were asked to tend and care for the gifts of God's creation. From the New Testament, Saint Andrew brings the little boy forward with his simple gifts of two fish and five barley loaves and places those gifts in the hands of Jesus, resulting in a wonderful demonstration of God’s abundance in the feeding of the 5,000.
The Four Pillars of Stewardship
The foundation for the Diocese of Wichita is the grateful response of a Christian Disciple who recognizes and receives God's gifts and shares these gifts in love of God and neighbor. We focus on four pillars in this stewardship response.
HOSPITALITY
“When I was a stranger, you welcomed me.” (Mt.25:35) Jesus Christ teaches that whenever we welcome one of the least of our sisters and brothers, we welcome Christ himself. Members of a steward-ship parish seek to see the face of Christ in one another, and welcome each other as special.
PRAYER
A steward strives to nourish the soul through prayer. Prayer is as necessary to our souls as food is to our bodies. It is in prayer that we nurture our personal relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
FORMATION
As a steward grows in the life of prayer, God reveals Himself more intimately in this personal relationship. The steward understands that the gifts received from God are to be shared and not buried. These gifts of time, talent and treasure are to be shared with others with generous and grateful hearts.
SERVICE
Members of a stewardship parish are ready to minister to the many needs of their own parish family as well as the needs of the wider community and the Church. Just as the members of a family come together to help one of their own, a stewardship parish family serves those who are hurting or in need, doubting or seeking salvation. Stewards also come together to celebrate and to thank God for all the gifts God gives us.
Your Gifts
You were created with unique talents and gifts to share with the world and to give glory to God. It takes a village to keep a church running and your financial support is truly the backbone of the work we are able to do at the Cathedral, everything from using electricity at Mass to holding youth group could not be done without your support. And we need your help to keep our parish going.
If you would like to set up an automatic weekly or monthly gift we ask in thanksgiving that you do so here.
Treasure is needed to run a church, but just as important is the gift of your time and talents. We are a vibrant parish and know that our pews all full of incredibly gifted individuals. Do you love to garden? Join our landscape team. Have a knack with finances? You can help count the offering after weekend Mass. Have the patience of Job? Consider volunteering as a PSR or youth group leader.
Your time and talent are needed! Think about what you can do and contact the office to share your gifts or grab one of the priests after Mass and share with them how you can be a blessing to our parish.
