Stewardship Is Living Your Life with an Attitude of Gratitude

 Stewardship is recognizing your life and talents as important gifts from God, to be accepted with an attitude of gratitude, in a responsible and accountable manner returned with increase to God.  As stewards, we follow the principles of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus by making God an active priority in our lives.
“ The measure of your own free will offering shall be in proportion to the blessing the Lord, Your God, has bestowed on you… No one shall appear before the Lord empty handed but each of you with as much as you can give.”  - Deuteronomy 16:10, 16-17

Reflection Questions:
What are my gifts?
How have I used my gifts?
Do I yearn to go deeper in my faith?
Is there an area of parish life that I am called to?
Have I given of my ‘first fruits’?

Did you know…
In giving of our first fruits, the parish and its members support various local community organizations that do work in social outreach and justice. For the fiscal year of 2015-2016, St. Joe’s donated over $55,000 and countless food, clothing, quilts, gifts, school supplies, cell phones, personal items, and much more! 

An Attitude of Gratitude—24/7/52
Gift of Time and Talent
We are given 24 hours each day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks in the year. How will you spend yours?  Can you help with parish youth programs?  Can you help minister to those in need in our greater community? Can you assist at weekend liturgies or during the week at the parish office?

The benefits of volunteering are many.
- Serving your faith community.
- Meeting new people.
- Learning new skills.
- Feeling more a part of the parish.

Gift of Treasure
We all have money to live on.  Each of us has organizations we like to support.  A 10% tithe can be broken into 5% for my parish  and 5% for other organizations.  How much am I able to contribute to support my parish? 

Yearly Income	1% pledge per week	2% pledge per week	3% pledge per week	5% pledge per week
$20,000	$4	$8	$12	$19
$40,000	$8	$15	$23	$38
$60,000	$12	$23	$35	$58
$80,000	$15	$31	$46	$77
$100,000	$19	$38	$58	$96

 
Electronic Funds Transfer
What are the advantages of the Electronic Funds Transfer Program?
Gives you an easy and direct way to make your financial stewardship commitment.
Saves you and the parish time and money.
Allows the parish to more confidently provide funds for various ministries.
 
It automatically deducts the amount you want to give to St. Joseph on a weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis.  You may give toward the general or building fund.  Or both!

The Electronic Funds Transfer Program sheet can be downloaded on the left, under documents.  Thank you for supporting the many ministries here at St. Joseph!
 
Stewardship Prayer
Lord God,
You alone are the source of every good gift,
of the vast array of the universe,
and the mystery of each human life.
Everything we are and everything we have
belongs to You and is Your gift.
Fill our minds with Your truth
and our hearts with Your love.

Bring us together as a community of faith,
a parish family,
a caring people.
In the name of the spirit of Jesus, 
help us to be good stewards
of the gifts You entrust to us.

Guide us as we go forth to serve as Your disciples,
sharing freely of our time, talent,
and material gifts to glorify You,
acknowledge Your abundant blessing,
and care for each other as Jesus taught us.
Amen.