Each member of the Church shares in the responsibility for its mission. The Church is not just the building that we worship in. As such, as the Catholic Community, we strive to be a community of faith and action, one where we see the face of Jesus in the face of a neighbour.
Stewardship begins with a profound recognition that God has lovingly given us our home, this world, and all that we possess and all that we are. As with any precious gift, stewardship then calls us to cultivate the gift of our own lives, talents, and world responsibly. Of course, we could do that and just keep the goodness to ourselves. However, stewardship recognises that if we have received these free gifts out of God’s goodness then we are called to share them lovingly in justice with others. And when we do share, we don’t offer the leftovers but return what we have been given with increase to our God.
Stewardship, therefore, asks that we nurture a vision of life that is Christ-centred and that we develop an attitude of respect and care for the environment, for each other, and for all that God has created and given to us for our use. It involves an intentional, planned and proportionate giving of our time, talent and treasure. It is not a single act of caring and sharing, but rather a total way of life and the way we live out our lives in our home, school, workplace, parish community and in our response to justice and environmental concerns.
