~  I take to heart the opening words of Psalm 24:  "The earth
    is the Lord's and all that is in it."

~  I recognize that part of my God-given make-up is a
    need to give, and that it is a source of my own peace
    and happiness.

~  I return a portion of my time/skills and possessions to
    God in a a spirit of gratitude.

~  I decide on a planned and consistent way of doing this.

~  I take it off the top, rather than from what is left over.

Time is a Gift From God

Time is an important part of stewardship.  It is a gift from God, and the steward realizes that
he or she will be held accountable for the way in which time is used while on earth.  Once one recognizes the importance of the role of time, one begins to explore the many ways it can be
used for God's work.  While most people complain about losing time, the Christian steward constantly finds time for God's work.  And how about you?  Do you find time for the work of
God?  Be a good steward and make the exciting discovery of time for yourself.  No matter how
busy you think you are, you can find time if you try.

Life is Your Gift

Creator God, Life is Your gift to me.  Through Baptism, You invite me to share the
gift of my life in service to others.  Be with me as I choose each day to show Your Presence in our world.  Give me the courage and generosity to respond to Your
love, to Your call.

I pray especially for those who serve You in ministry throughout St. Agnes
Parish.  May we bear the "Good News" to those in need.  Keep us close to You.

Open the minds and hearts of many other men, women and young people that
they may accept Your challenge to build the Kingdom in our parish, our community and our world.

For if not us, who?
If not here, where?
If not now, when?
If not for Your Kingdom, why?

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

-- Taken from U.S. Bishops' Pastoral Letter Stewardship:  A Disciple's Response

Stewardship

My church is composed of people like me.  I help make it what it is.  It will be friendly, if I am.  Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them.  It will do great work, if I work.  It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver.  It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I invite and bring them.  It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a church with a noble spirit, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these same things.  Therefore, with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my church to be.

A Good Steward

   A good steward is a person who takes good care of something that belongs to someone else.  God owns everything and is the source of our treasures, our talents, and all the moments of our lives.  Whatever we have was given to us by God to be used cheerfully and generously in serving him. 

   As a way of showing our love and thankfulness, God wants to share some of what we receive.  We must use God's gifts to serve and to help others.  As good stewards of each and every moment of the time God has given us, we should look for ways to use our treasures and our talents wisely.

~~~

"The promotion of the practice
of stewardship is important for
the mission of the Church and
for the spiritual well-being of
each individual Christian.  Everyone benefits from the sacrificial gift one makes of
time, talent and treasure."

-- Pope Benedict XVI