Stewardship involves everyone

First in a three-part series

By Heather Chrudimsky
Compass Correspondent

	Stewardship Stewardship: A Way of Life is the diocesan thrust. It invites Catholics to acknowledge that all of life is a gift of God and to respond through prayer, service and sharing. This series will look at ways to do that.

Stewardship and getting parishioners involved in the church was the focus of a panel discussion at the annual Gathering of the Diocese of Green Bay this month at St. Norbert College.

Tom Donovan, a diocesan consultant for pastoral services, headed up the panel discussion and gave his insight into parish stewardship.

Parishes throughout the country have undertaken stewardship education and faith formation and have seen great results, Donovan said, and parishes in the Green Bay Diocese are no different.

Representatives from St. John the Evangelist Parish in Antigo, St. Pius X Parish in Appleton and St. John Nepomucene Parish in Little Chute, shared their successful stewardship ideas and plans so that other parishes could create their own stewardship plans.

This week we'll look at the experience at St. John the Evangelist in Antigo.

Lynne Henricks, parish stewardship coordinator, and Fr. Charles Hoffman, pastor, discussed recent success in stewardship at St. John in Antigo.

"Stewardship is trying to get everyone into the process," Fr. Hoffman said. "Everyone has gifts. You have to reach out and pull people in."

Fr. Hoffman credits the success to Henricks, whom he says was the driving force behind the stewardship efforts within the parish.

Henricks served on the St. John parish council for six years before taking on increasing parish stewardship.

Henricks, who owns her own business and is a mother of two, said she wasn't sure she was cut out for coordinating the stewardship committee. But after attending the National Stewardship Conference in Chicago in October 2003, she said she was excited to try.

	Related article: from April 29, 2005 issue: • St. John, Antigo, reaps stewardship rewards     Coordinator Lynne Henricks praises     parish response

"I remember a parishioner told me to 'put it in God's hands,' and that's what I did," Henricks said. The St. John's Stewardship Committee is using the three-prong thrust presented by the Green Bay Diocese: the stewardship of prayer, service and sharing.

Last year, St. John focused on the stewardship of prayer.

This year, the parish is focusing on the stewardship of service, which centers on the needs of the individual as well as the needs of the parish.

Each year, St. John produces a booklet listing service opportunities in the parish. Some of the many opportunities include decorating the church, greeters, ushers, litter pick-up, parish mailings and calling committee. This year, about 100 opportunities are available for parishioners, Henricks said.

"Every parishioner has a talent and something to give back," Henricks said. "It's about tapping into their talent and finding a fit for them. Stewardship has brought new people to service," she added. "It's rewarding to see new ushers, new gift bearers and new greeters."

"You can look at a mosaic and if a piece is missing it isn't complete," Fr. Hoffman said.

At the discussion, Henricks said a Lenten fish fry was one new opportunity in the parish. Proceeds went to the diocesan mission in the Dominican Republic served by Fr. Mike Seis, a native of Antigo.

For the past two years, the stewardship committee has held a stewardship fair at St. John. This year's fair is scheduled for Nov. 12 and 13. The theme is "Fruits of the Spirit."

"The response from the people has been outstanding," Henricks said.

Another tool in St. John's stewardship plan is the annual census sheet, which is used both for making a volunteer commitment and to provide family information.

"Stewardship opens the door of opportunity, providing many ways to give back for all that God has given," Henricks said. "We have an excellent group of people in this parish, and they've responded to the call."