Stewards share treasure freely

By Br. Steve Herro, O.Praem.

	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.

"Katrina was our tsunami" -Mississippi Catholic Charities staff member.

Br. Steve Herro

The chapel at St. Joseph Retreat House, Baileys Harbor, is an integral part of my regular annual retreat experience; we fill the St. Norbert Abbey choir stalls the third Sunday of every month with Christians who come to Taize Prayer; I still get goose bumps when I return to my home parish in Fond du Lac, and settle in to pray with my family and those with whom I grew up.

Everyone has a sacred space where we pray to our loving God. But some of our brothers and sisters in Mississippi and Louisiana have no such refuge because of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

When I reflect on the mission statement of the Diocese of Green Bay, I am particularly moved by the passage, "The Catholic Community of the Diocese of Green Bay... prayerfully worships in word and sacrament, and compassionately serves those in need, in order to advance God's Kingdom of justice and love."

Related articles: from September 15, 2006 issue: • Katrina cleanup: Youth, adults lend a hand from August 25, 2006 issue: • Editorial -- Much still undone from June 16, 2006 issue: • Area teens to help house Katrina survivors from May 19, 2006 issue: • Phlox, Mattoon help Katrina victims     Sidebar: Pastor responds • Editorial -- A chance to ask 'What if' from March 10, 2006 issue: • Editorial -- Paying attention to signs from December 2, 2005 issue: • Warm coats warm hearts from November 25, 2005 issue: • Editorial -- Proving the old axioms from October 21, 2005 issue: • Diocesan Catholics give $1 million to Katrina aid from September 30, 2005 issue: • Sidebar: Hurricane help from September 23, 2005 issue: • Picking up after Katrina disaster • Editorial -- Feeling some solidarity from September 16, 2005 issue: • Money remains best way to help • Editorial -- Managing risk • Editorial -- Don't blame God • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik --     Bridging the Gap: One more time from September 9, 2005 issue: • Katrina: Area Catholics can help • Salvatorian Mission Warehouse sends flood relief supplies • Mississippi priory spared by hurricane • Editorial -- Flood with aid from September 2, 2005 issue: • Bishop asks prayers, money for hurricane survivors

It is because we value the opportunity to worship in word and sacrament and compassionately serve those in need that we are called to participate in "Rebuild Church, Rebuild Hope," the national collection to support hurricane relief efforts in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and Diocese of Biloxi the weekends of Sept. 16-17 and 23-24. The theme is inspired by Bp. Thomas Rodi of Biloxi, who told the U.S. bishops that to "rebuild the church is to rebuild hope itself."

These two dioceses are still in a state of unimaginable need. Collections right after the hurricanes focused on immediate humanitarian relief, and only scratched the surface of the needs. American Catholics last year donated more than $130 million, of which $1.3 million came from the Church of Green Bay to a national collection for hurricane victims, but those funds went primarily to humanitarian relief.

The 2006 national collection will give Abp. Alfred Hughes of New Orleans and Bp. Thomas Rodi of Biloxi "greater discretion in meeting the church's recovery and rebuilding needs within these two dioceses." Sixty percent of the funds collected will go to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and 40% will go to the Diocese of Biloxi.

Bp. William Skylstad, president of the U.S. Bishops' Conference, said that in the Mississippi diocese, with only 70,000 Catholics, church-owned structures sustained more than $70 million in damage. All but five of the 433 church-owned structures in the diocese were destroyed or severely damaged. In New Orleans, Abp. Hughes estimated $52 million in uninsured flood damage to buildings that the archdiocese is trying to reopen now. Buildings whose re-openings have been delayed, sustained another $70 million in uninsured flood damage, he said.

In addition, many groups of women religious face numerous problems. The National Catholic Reporter (7/26) presented an eye-opening account of the damage incurred by religious sisters' property, residences, schools, personal possessions, and cars; the eight congregations most affected face debt of $51.4 million from the hurricanes. The Sisters of the Holy Family of New Orleans were saddled with the greatest loss, $14 million. Nevertheless, these faith filled women declared that they are in for the long haul and dedicated themselves to helping rebuild New Orleans "by our work for justice and total respect for the dignity and sacredness of each and every person of whatever creed or whatever ethnic origin" (Origins, 8/17, p. 165-6).

Help rebuild the church and rebuild hope in New Orleans and Biloxi on Sept. 16-17 and 23-24. The need is great and your participation can make a difference; please give generously during your parish's second collection.

(Br. Herro is the Social Concerns Consultant for the Green Bay Diocese.)