A Stewardship Case Study :

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A Stewardship Case Study St Thomas More,
Centennial, Denver
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It is easier to Act your way into a way of
Thinking, than it is to Think your way into a way
of Acting. Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy
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Stewardship at St. Thomas More

• Stewardship
• of Prayer
• of Time and Talent
• of Faith
• of Treasure
• of Vocations
• of the Earth

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The life of a Steward is about

• Thanksgiving for Gods blessings
• Making time for God
• Sharing our time and talent
• Nurturing our faith
• Giving of our treasure
• Promoting vocations
• Preserving the earth

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The life of a Stewardship Community Becomes a

• Praying and worshipping community
• Welcoming and hospitable place
• Serving community
• Giving Community
• Evangelizing Community

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Its a process Its ongoing

• Takes time requires patience
• Requires planning and hard work
• Demands efforts entails sacrifice
• Necessitates education

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STM How tos

• Stewardship education year-round
• -- Calendar
• -- Pastors bulletin and newsletter messages
• -- Articles in newsletter
• -- Newcomers Welcome
• Business or Courtesy Reply Envelope
• (BRE/CRE) vs. colourful offertory envelopes
• Tracking use efficient and effective database
• Accountability Financial statement published
• Stewardship Commission/Committee

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Stewardship of Prayer

• Program
• Kicks off the Stewardship Program for the Year
• Pastor preaches on prayer at all Masses
• Prayer Commitment Cards
• Prayer resources made available
• Prayer Rally

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Stewardship of Prayer
Time
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Stewardship of Time and Talent
Program

• Lay Witness speakers They give powerful
  testimony
• Ministry Fair Dont hide it! Take it outside
  of the parish hall
• Volunteer Appreciation Party Make this an
  annual event
• Pastors Annual Award
• Outstanding volunteers need to be recognized
• Program Directory description, meetings and
  contacts
• Tracking Ensure follow up after people sign
  up
• Keep an up to date list of committees and
  ministries

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Stewardship of Faith
Program

• Catechetical Sunday
• A good time to remind parents that they are the
  primary teachers of the faith
• Presiding clergy gives homily on nourishing
  our faith
• Commitment Forms on nourishing faith

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Stewardship of Treasure
Five-Week Active Phase

• Week 1 Kick off
• Pastor preaches on Stewardship at all Masses
• Promotes it in bulletin and pulpit
• Prayers of the Faithful
• Thank-you letter is sent prior to weekend
• Week 2 Lay witness speakers
• Talk is printed in newsletter
• Week 3 Commitment Sunday
• Pastor preaches again
• Letter, pledge card, and return envelope is sent
  out prior to weekend
• Pledge Cards in pews

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Stewardship of Treasure
Five-Week Active Phase - Continued

• Week 4 Follow Up Sunday
• Bulletin and pulpit announcement
• Commitment Cards in pews
• Thank-you letters are sent confirming the pledges
• Week 5 Last week of Active Phase
• Results published and weekly thereafter through
  the end of December

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Stewardship of Treasure
Program

• 5-week Renewal Process
• Archbishops Catholic Appeal (ACA)
• Building Fund Raisers
• Tracking
• Monthly statements
• IRS letters
• Monitor growth from year to year

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Stewardship of Vocations
Program

• Called by Name a two-week Program in
  November
• Clergy and Religious Appreciation
• Last week before Ash Wednesday
• World Day of Prayer for Vocations
• National Priesthood Day
• Clergy and Religious special days

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Stewardship of the Earth
Program

• U.S. Bishops Policies on preserving the
  earth
• Earth Day (April 22) Special Liturgy
• Homilies at all Masses
• Recycling
• Continuing education on caring for the earth
  and all creation

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the practice of authentic Christian stewardship
inevitably leads to evangelization.
Pastoral Letter of the U.S. Bishops
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It is easier to Act your way into a way of
Thinking, than it is to Think your way into a way
of Acting. Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy