As we continue with the “four seasons” of discipleship, we turn our focus to Sharing our Faith — the center of the mission that Jesus gave His Church — “go and make disciples of all nations.”

Sharing our faith is a culmination of all that we do as we live as disciples. We share our faith as we welcome and offer hospitality to others.  We share our faith as we pray.  We share our faith as we serve others.  We share our faith as people see us nurturing our faith as we continue our formation as disciples and seek the grace of God through the sacraments.
Yes, we are sharing our faith every day in our daily lives. We are evangelizing!

This season of sharing is a good time to step back and renew — to make an intentional commitment to share our faith — and to try to do it more often and better.

For example, ask yourself:

• What steps you have taken to improve your prayer life and better know your faith?
• What ways are you more actively living your faith?
• What could I do to more intentionally share my faith?

There are people who many never hear the Gospel message unless we speak or act — people who are family, friends or co-workers.  God may need to use us to plant the seeds so He can do the growing.

Click here to view Sharing Newsletter

 

Growing As A Stewardship Parish:  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.  Parishioners of a stewardship parish seek to see the face of Christ in one another.  With special vigilance, parishioners must seek out and welcome new members to the parish family.  A stewardship parish is a welcoming parish regardless of the parish demographics: large or small or urban, suburban or rural.

We are all prodigal children longing to be welcomed home.  In a hospitable parish, parishioners and guests feel they belong and are appreciated.  This is especially true if they were ever absent from the church.  Hospitality leads to a sense of ownership among parishioners. This ownership and personal involvement fosters a sense of “belonging.”  When parishioners experience a warm and sincere welcome, they in turn become open to give themselves to others.

 

God is love.  God gives His love to each one of us.  As God loves us, He calls us to love one another. This Divine Love flows through the heart of the faithful steward to love others.  When we are recipients of such love from others, we are attracted to follow this example. When others welcome us, we are open to welcoming others.  This desire to welcome others is yet another gift of God.  The most vibrant stewardship parishes are those in which parishioners know they are welcomed, which fosters a sense of ownership and personal involvement in lived stewardship to the parish family.