How to stay in love and have a beautiful marriage – Marriage, raising kids, navigating life, and knowing the intentions of your spouse is difficult and messy! How should you navigate it all so you can stay madly in love with your spouse and have a beautiful marriage? Dive Deep is pleased to talk to Beth Sri, a Catholic speaker and author and mother of 8 children. She serves as the Denver chapter coordinator for Life-Giving Wounds, a Catholic ministry for adult children of divorce. She is also the co-author with her husband of the award winning book, “The Good, The Messy and The Beautiful: The Joys and Struggles of Real Married Life.” Go to youtube.com/diospringfield or search “Dive Deep” on all the major podcast platforms to listen and subscribe. Dive Deep is the podcast of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Click here to download a graphic to include in your bulletins 

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The Holiest Adventure: Father/Son Edition – Join other dads and sons for an experience of exciting activities, bonding games, stiff competitions, as well as mass, adoration, and delicious food!

Date: August 10, 2024; Location: Villa Maria Retreat Center, 1903 E Lakeshore Dr., Springfield, IL 62712; Who: For any fathers with their son(s) in grades 4-10; Meals: Lunch and dinner provided; Cost: $50 per father/son pair. $10 per additional son; Time: 10A.M. – 6P.M.; For questions about the event, please contact Daniel Heffernan at dheffernan@dio.org. Register at dio.org/events/.

Here is a graphic you can also use

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Have you been married 50+ years? Time to celebrate! – On September 22 at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, all couples married 50 years or more are invited to attend a special Mass honoring their marriage vocation! The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki. A reception will follow after Mass. Please register for the Mass by going to dio.org/events. When you register, please upload (not mandatory) a photo from your wedding day and present day, as we’ll be showcasing a slide show during the reception.

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WINE founder and Catholic singer to present at convention in Carlinville. Register now for Aug. 28 experience – Kelly Wahlquist, founder of the WINE evangelist ministry and a dynamic Catholic author and speaker as well as Donna Cori, a singer who puts her beautiful music to Catholic prayers, are both presenting at the Lake Williamson Retreat Center in Carlinville (17347 Cottonwood Ln.) on August 28. Sponsored by the Springfield Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (Jerseyville Deanery is the host), this is part of the group’s 95^th annual convention called “Sent on Mission – Fortified by the Eucharist.” Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. at Ss. Mary and Joseph Church in Carlinville followed by 9 a.m. Mass with Bishop Thomas John Paprocki. The program will then follow at Lake Williamson Retreat Center. The cost is $60 or $65 after Aug. 7 or the day of. Cost includes breakfast, lunch, and t-shirt. Consult your parish office for registration forms or contact Teresa Goetten at 618-535-0555 or mtmgotten@gtec.com.

*Parish Staff, here are three documents to supplement this event:

Half page flyer

Full page flyer

Registration form

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Fr. Tolton Religious Award – Our local Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting has created a new patch award for Venerable Fr. Augustine Tolton! The award requirements are patterned after similar programs from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting and Scouts of any national program may earn the award. Details are online at dio.org/scouts/.

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Project Rachel:  Help for women and men to heal from the pain of abortion.  For assistance call 1-877-RACHEL-5. 

---

Retreat for married couples offered – Worldwide Marriage Encounter presents weekend experiences for married couples to rekindle romance, enhance meaningful communication, and deepen and renew commitment. Sign-up now! For more information or to apply, go to wwme.org or call Terry & Eric Engholm at 314-649-7317. Next ones:

8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024, St. Peters, MO

9/27/2024 – 9/29/2024, St. Peters, MO

10/11/2024 – 10/13/2024, Springfield, IL

12/6/2024 – 12/8/2024, St. Peters, MO

Here is a logo you can use as well

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STEWARDSHIP BULLETIN REFLECTIONS

July 28, 2024

17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”

  John 6:9

The miracle of the Loaves and Fishes carries two important messages.  First, no matter how little we have, we always have enough to share.  Second, Christ can take our humble gifts and do great things with them if we are just willing to let Him.  Nothing is impossible with God.  All of our gifts, big or small, were given to us for a reason.  No gift is too small or insignificant!

August 4, 2024

18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not.”  Exodus 16:4

When the Israelites gathered more than their daily portion of manna, the surplus became wormy and rotten.  In the same way today, self-reliance, pride and ego leads to hoarding and excessive surplus of goods and money.  Living a stewardship lifestyle helps us discern our “wants” from our “needs”.  Living a grateful and generous lifestyle reminds us that God will provide all that we need and that we have plenty to share.

August 11, 2024

19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you!”  1 Kings 19:7

God knows that committing to a stewardship lifestyle is difficult.  However, we were not designed to do it on our own, we need God’s help.  Fortunately, God gave us the greatest gift of all, His son, Jesus.  Through the gift of the Eucharist, we unite our sacrifice with Jesus’ sacrifice to do the will of God, Our Father.  We receive the strength and courage to be His missionary disciples. 

August 18, 2024

20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”    John 6:56

This line from Scripture is what ultimately separates Catholics from our Protestant brothers and sisters.  Jesus is really present in the bread and wine that are consecrated at Holy Mass.  It is His actual body and blood that we consume.  This is the greatest gift that we can receive.  The Eucharist shows us how great of love that Jesus has for each of us.

August 25, 2024

21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

“If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve…As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua 24:15

When we commit to serve the Lord, we become a disciple in the work of the Lord.  A disciple is a person who spends time in prayer every day, joyfully participates in charitable works and generously supports their local parish and Church mission.  If we say we serve God, our words and actions should reflect the Gospel message to others.

September 1, 2024

22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only…”  James 1:22

It’s easy to understand the definition of stewardship – living a grateful and generous life.  The hard part is doing it!  How do your words and actions reflect God’s word?  Do you share your time in prayer with God daily?   Do you use your talent to help those in need without expecting anything in return?  Are you generous with your financial resources?  If not, what are you waiting for?

September 8, 2024

23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?”   James 2:5

What is more important – being rich in faith or rich in possessions?  Society tells us that possessions are most important.  God teaches a different lesson.  When we are rich in faith, we keep God first and experience true joy and peace.  When we put possessions first, we soon realize we can never have enough and happiness is fleeting.  When we put faith over possessions we truly realize it is better to give than receive.

September 15, 2024

24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”  Mark 8:34

Living a stewardship lifestyle means not only being responsible for my own life, but for the lives of others as well.  We realize that our gifts are not intended for ourselves, rather they are meant to be shared with others.  “Taking up my cross” means doing things when someone else needs me and not when it’s convenient for me.

September 22, 2024

Stewardship Awareness Sunday in the Archdiocese of St. Louis

25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

Jesus teaches us that we are called to love one another.  Love involves sacrifice.  Sacrifice is a word that many of us don’t like to hear.  We think it means that we must give up something that we want.  However, the literal meaning of sacrifice is “to make holy,” from the words “sacer” = sacred and “facere” = to make.   In other words, when we sacrifice, we make our lives holy by sharing our gifts in the service of God.

September 29, 2024

26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.”  Mark 9:41

We are made in God’s image and likeness.  We tend to forget this.  When you look at others, do you see the face of Jesus in them?  When others look at you, do they see the face of Jesus in you?  When we realize that all lives matter to God, then gratitude and generously become easier.  Why?  Because that’s the way we are made!  We are one Body of Christ; when one of us is hurting, all of us feel the pain.

How to stay in love and have a beautiful marriage – Marriage, raising kids, navigating life, and knowing the intentions of your spouse is difficult and messy! How should you navigate it all so you can stay madly in love with your spouse and have a beautiful marriage? Dive Deep is pleased to talk to Beth Sri, a Catholic speaker and author and mother of 8 children. She serves as the Denver chapter coordinator for Life-Giving Wounds, a Catholic ministry for adult children of divorce. She is also the co-author with her husband of the award winning book, “The Good, The Messy and The Beautiful: The Joys and Struggles of Real Married Life.” Go to youtube.com/diospringfield or search “Dive Deep” on all the major podcast platforms to listen and subscribe. Dive Deep is the podcast of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Click here to download a graphic to include in your bulletins 

---

The Holiest Adventure: Father/Son Edition – Join other dads and sons for an experience of exciting activities, bonding games, stiff competitions, as well as mass, adoration, and delicious food!

Date: August 10, 2024; Location: Villa Maria Retreat Center, 1903 E Lakeshore Dr., Springfield, IL 62712; Who: For any fathers with their son(s) in grades 4-10; Meals: Lunch and dinner provided; Cost: $50 per father/son pair. $10 per additional son; Time: 10A.M. – 6P.M.; For questions about the event, please contact Daniel Heffernan at dheffernan@dio.org. Register at dio.org/events/.

Here is a graphic you can also use

---

Have you been married 50+ years? Time to celebrate! – On September 22 at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, all couples married 50 years or more are invited to attend a special Mass honoring their marriage vocation! The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki. A reception will follow after Mass. Please register for the Mass by going to dio.org/events. When you register, please upload (not mandatory) a photo from your wedding day and present day, as we’ll be showcasing a slide show during the reception.

---

Fr. Tolton Religious Award – Our local Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting has created a new patch award for Venerable Fr. Augustine Tolton! The award requirements are patterned after similar programs from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting and Scouts of any national program may earn the award. Details are online at dio.org/scouts/.

---

Project Rachel:  Help for women and men to heal from the pain of abortion.  For assistance call 1-877-RACHEL-5. 

---

Retreat for married couples offered – Worldwide Marriage Encounter presents weekend experiences for married couples to rekindle romance, enhance meaningful communication, and deepen and renew commitment. Sign-up now! For more information or to apply, go to wwme.org or call Terry & Eric Engholm at 314-649-7317. Next ones:

8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024, St. Peters, MO

9/27/2024 – 9/29/2024, St. Peters, MO

10/11/2024 – 10/13/2024, Springfield, IL

12/6/2024 – 12/8/2024, St. Peters, MO

Here is a logo you can use as well

---

STEWARDSHIP BULLETIN REFLECTIONS

July 14, 2024

15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick – no food, no sack, no money in their belts.” Mark 6:8

Imagine taking nothing but a stick when you go on a trip.  The Apostles must have really trusted in God’s providential care.  Think of all the material things “we can’t live without” in today’s world.  We make our life’s journey more difficult because of all the material baggage that we drag along.  Putting God first in everything and putting our money and possessions second gives us freedom because we don’t become “slaves” to wanting to acquire more things.

July 21, 2024

16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31

Do you spend time, every day, alone and in silence listening to how God is calling you?  If not, you are missing out on a wonderful opportunity to develop a more personal relationship with Him.  Unless we talk and more importantly, listen to God every day, how else will we know how He is calling us?  Consider making a retreat this year, spend some “alone” time with God.

July 28, 2024

17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”

  John 6:9

The miracle of the Loaves and Fishes carries two important messages.  First, no matter how little we have, we always have enough to share.  Second, Christ can take our humble gifts and do great things with them if we are just willing to let Him.  Nothing is impossible with God.  All of our gifts, big or small, were given to us for a reason.  No gift is too small or insignificant!

August 4, 2024

18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not.”  Exodus 16:4

When the Israelites gathered more than their daily portion of manna, the surplus became wormy and rotten.  In the same way today, self-reliance, pride and ego leads to hoarding and excessive surplus of goods and money.  Living a stewardship lifestyle helps us discern our “wants” from our “needs”.  Living a grateful and generous lifestyle reminds us that God will provide all that we need and that we have plenty to share.

August 11, 2024

19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you!”  1 Kings 19:7

God knows that committing to a stewardship lifestyle is difficult.  However, we were not designed to do it on our own, we need God’s help.  Fortunately, God gave us the greatest gift of all, His son, Jesus.  Through the gift of the Eucharist, we unite our sacrifice with Jesus’ sacrifice to do the will of God, Our Father.  We receive the strength and courage to be His missionary disciples. 

August 18, 2024

20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”    John 6:56

This line from Scripture is what ultimately separates Catholics from our Protestant brothers and sisters.  Jesus is really present in the bread and wine that are consecrated at Holy Mass.  It is His actual body and blood that we consume.  This is the greatest gift that we can receive.  The Eucharist shows us how great of love that Jesus has for each of us.

August 25, 2024

21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

“If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve…As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua 24:15

When we commit to serve the Lord, we become a disciple in the work of the Lord.  A disciple is a person who spends time in prayer every day, joyfully participates in charitable works and generously supports their local parish and Church mission.  If we say we serve God, our words and actions should reflect the Gospel message to others.

September 1, 2024

22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only…”  James 1:22

It’s easy to understand the definition of stewardship – living a grateful and generous life.  The hard part is doing it!  How do your words and actions reflect God’s word?  Do you share your time in prayer with God daily?   Do you use your talent to help those in need without expecting anything in return?  Are you generous with your financial resources?  If not, what are you waiting for?

September 8, 2024

23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?”   James 2:5

What is more important – being rich in faith or rich in possessions?  Society tells us that possessions are most important.  God teaches a different lesson.  When we are rich in faith, we keep God first and experience true joy and peace.  When we put possessions first, we soon realize we can never have enough and happiness is fleeting.  When we put faith over possessions we truly realize it is better to give than receive.

September 15, 2024

24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”  Mark 8:34

Living a stewardship lifestyle means not only being responsible for my own life, but for the lives of others as well.  We realize that our gifts are not intended for ourselves, rather they are meant to be shared with others.  “Taking up my cross” means doing things when someone else needs me and not when it’s convenient for me.

September 22, 2024

Stewardship Awareness Sunday in the Archdiocese of St. Louis

25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

Jesus teaches us that we are called to love one another.  Love involves sacrifice.  Sacrifice is a word that many of us don’t like to hear.  We think it means that we must give up something that we want.  However, the literal meaning of sacrifice is “to make holy,” from the words “sacer” = sacred and “facere” = to make.   In other words, when we sacrifice, we make our lives holy by sharing our gifts in the service of God.

September 29, 2024

26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.”  Mark 9:41

We are made in God’s image and likeness.  We tend to forget this.  When you look at others, do you see the face of Jesus in them?  When others look at you, do they see the face of Jesus in you?  When we realize that all lives matter to God, then gratitude and generously become easier.  Why?  Because that’s the way we are made!  We are one Body of Christ; when one of us is hurting, all of us feel the pain.

WALK WITH JESUS ON OUR CITY STREETS IN UNPRECEDENTED EXPERIENCE – You are invited to join the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, coming to seven cities in our diocese July 8-12! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in which Catholics will pray and publicly follow Jesus through Eucharistic processions. Cities include Collinsville, Alton, Quincy, Girard, Springfield, Effingham, and Teutopolis. Mass, adoration, potluck dinners, and powerful witness talks are also part of the experience. BE THERE WHEN GOD MOVES IN YOUR COMMUNITY! Go to dio.org to learn more and register!

Check Parish Link for all sorts of graphics to pair with this

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***Note for parishes below. You will see the Totus Tuus schedule. Just pick the location(s) closest to you to promote. You can copy and paste the rest. Thanks!***

Sign up your child for Totus Tuus, popular weeklong summer program coming to a parish near you – This summer, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is excited to have Totus Tuus, a fun and faith-filled experience for children coming once again to several parishes across the diocese. Totus Tuus is a weeklong Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and eucharistic worship. The program inspires in young people (grades 1-12) a true longing for holiness, a deep desire for daily conversion, and an openness to their vocation.

For the schedule below, grades 7-12 are from Sunday-Thursday each week and the program is in the evenings. For grades 1-6, the program is Monday-Friday and starts in the morning and finishes in the afternoon.

July schedule:

• July 7-11 (grades 7-12), July 8-12 (grades 1-6): Holy Family and St. Elizabeth (Granite City), St. John the Evangelist (Carrollton), St. Boniface (Edwardsville)
• July 21-25 (grades 7-12, July 22-26 (grades 1-6): St. Mary (Pittsfield), St. Peter (Petersburg)

Costs vary by parish. For more information and to sign up your child, go to dio.org/totus-tuus-camper-registration or call the parish office that is hosting Totus Tuus near you. You can also contact Daniel Heffernan, Programming Coordinator, Office for Vocations, with questions at dheffernan@dio.org.

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How to stay in love and have a beautiful marriage – Marriage, raising kids, navigating life, and knowing the intentions of your spouse is difficult and messy! How should you navigate it all so you can stay madly in love with your spouse and have a beautiful marriage? Dive Deep is pleased to talk to Beth Sri, a Catholic speaker and author and mother of 8 children. She serves as the Denver chapter coordinator for Life-Giving Wounds, a Catholic ministry for adult children of divorce. She is also the co-author with her husband of the award winning book, “The Good, The Messy and The Beautiful: The Joys and Struggles of Real Married Life.” Go to youtube.com/diospringfield or search “Dive Deep” on all the major podcast platforms to listen and subscribe. Dive Deep is the podcast of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Click here to download a graphic to include in your bulletins 

---

The Holiest Adventure: Father/Son Edition – Join other dads and sons for an experience of exciting activities, bonding games, stiff competitions, as well as mass, adoration, and delicious food!

Date: August 10, 2024; Location: Villa Maria Retreat Center, 1903 E Lakeshore Dr., Springfield, IL 62712; Who: For any fathers with their son(s) in grades 4-10; Meals: Lunch and dinner provided; Cost: $50 per father/son pair. $10 per additional son; Time: 10A.M. – 6P.M.; For questions about the event, please contact Daniel Heffernan at dheffernan@dio.org. Register at dio.org/events/.

Here is a graphic you can also use

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Called and Sent – Join other high school students in our diocese for a 4 day/3 night retreat from July 14-17 at the Villa Maria Retreat Center in Springfield. Encounter Jesus in a new, deep, and meaningful way. Have loads of fun and enjoy the beautiful views at this lakeside retreat house. To register, go to dio.org/events. For questions, contact Daniel Heffernan at dheffernan@dio.org.

**Here is a graphic/flyer you can use to pair with it**

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Have you been married 50+ years? Time to celebrate! – On September 22 at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, all couples married 50 years or more are invited to attend a special Mass honoring their marriage vocation! The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki. A reception will follow after Mass. Please register for the Mass by going to dio.org/events. When you register, please upload (not mandatory) a photo from your wedding day and present day, as we’ll be showcasing a slide show during the reception.

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Eucharistic Revival Award – The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has created a new patch award for Scouts of all ages to help us on our journey through the Eucharistic Revival. By learning about the Eucharist and participating in various spiritual experiences, Scouts can earn the main Eucharistic Revival patch and up to eight additional rockers to circle the main patch. For more information about how to earn these awards, please contact the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting at (217) 698-8500, ext. 154, or email scouting@dio.org.

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Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat – for people affected by abortion, September 27-29, 2024, Villa Maria Retreat Center.  Cost is $150.  Scholarships are available for those not able to pay the full registration fee.  Please let others know about this healing opportunity.  For more information call 217-698-4456, or email projectrachel@dio.org

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Project Rachel:  Help for women and men to heal from the pain of abortion.  For assistance call 1-877-RACHEL-5. 

---

Retreat for married couples offered – Worldwide Marriage Encounter presents weekend experiences for married couples to rekindle romance, enhance meaningful communication, and deepen and renew commitment. Sign-up now! For more information or to apply, go to wwme.org or call Terry & Eric Engholm at 314-649-7317. Next ones:

8/2/2024 – 8/4/2024, St. Peters, MO

9/27/2024 – 9/29/2024, St. Peters, MO

10/11/2024 – 10/13/2024, Springfield, IL

12/6/2024 – 12/8/2024, St. Peters, MO

Here is a logo you can use as well

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STEWARDSHIP BULLETIN REFLECTIONS

July 7, 2024

14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“As the Lord spoke to me, the spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and I heard the one who was speaking say to me, ‘Son of man, I am sending you…’”   Ezekiel 2:2-3

God has a plan for each of us.  He calls us to do something for Him.  But, He doesn’t leave us on our own to figure it out.  He gives us the resources we need to do His work.  Are you listening for God’s call?  When you hear it, do you get on your feet and do the work He asks of you?  Do not be afraid.  God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called.  Answer His call.

July 14, 2024

15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick – no food, no sack, no money in their belts.” Mark 6:8

Imagine taking nothing but a stick when you go on a trip.  The Apostles must have really trusted in God’s providential care.  Think of all the material things “we can’t live without” in today’s world.  We make our life’s journey more difficult because of all the material baggage that we drag along.  Putting God first in everything and putting our money and possessions second gives us freedom because we don’t become “slaves” to wanting to acquire more things.

July 21, 2024

16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31

Do you spend time, every day, alone and in silence listening to how God is calling you?  If not, you are missing out on a wonderful opportunity to develop a more personal relationship with Him.  Unless we talk and more importantly, listen to God every day, how else will we know how He is calling us?  Consider making a retreat this year, spend some “alone” time with God.

July 28, 2024

17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”

  John 6:9

The miracle of the Loaves and Fishes carries two important messages.  First, no matter how little we have, we always have enough to share.  Second, Christ can take our humble gifts and do great things with them if we are just willing to let Him.  Nothing is impossible with God.  All of our gifts, big or small, were given to us for a reason.  No gift is too small or insignificant!

August 4, 2024

18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not.”  Exodus 16:4

When the Israelites gathered more than their daily portion of manna, the surplus became wormy and rotten.  In the same way today, self-reliance, pride and ego leads to hoarding and excessive surplus of goods and money.  Living a stewardship lifestyle helps us discern our “wants” from our “needs”.  Living a grateful and generous lifestyle reminds us that God will provide all that we need and that we have plenty to share.

August 11, 2024

19^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you!”  1 Kings 19:7

God knows that committing to a stewardship lifestyle is difficult.  However, we were not designed to do it on our own, we need God’s help.  Fortunately, God gave us the greatest gift of all, His son, Jesus.  Through the gift of the Eucharist, we unite our sacrifice with Jesus’ sacrifice to do the will of God, Our Father.  We receive the strength and courage to be His missionary disciples. 

August 18, 2024

20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”    John 6:56

This line from Scripture is what ultimately separates Catholics from our Protestant brothers and sisters.  Jesus is really present in the bread and wine that are consecrated at Holy Mass.  It is His actual body and blood that we consume.  This is the greatest gift that we can receive.  The Eucharist shows us how great of love that Jesus has for each of us.

August 25, 2024

21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

“If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve…As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  Joshua 24:15

When we commit to serve the Lord, we become a disciple in the work of the Lord.  A disciple is a person who spends time in prayer every day, joyfully participates in charitable works and generously supports their local parish and Church mission.  If we say we serve God, our words and actions should reflect the Gospel message to others.

September 1, 2024

22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Be doers of the word and not hearers only…”  James 1:22

It’s easy to understand the definition of stewardship – living a grateful and generous life.  The hard part is doing it!  How do your words and actions reflect God’s word?  Do you share your time in prayer with God daily?   Do you use your talent to help those in need without expecting anything in return?  Are you generous with your financial resources?  If not, what are you waiting for?

September 8, 2024

23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?”   James 2:5

What is more important – being rich in faith or rich in possessions?  Society tells us that possessions are most important.  God teaches a different lesson.  When we are rich in faith, we keep God first and experience true joy and peace.  When we put possessions first, we soon realize we can never have enough and happiness is fleeting.  When we put faith over possessions we truly realize it is better to give than receive.

September 15, 2024

24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”  Mark 8:34

Living a stewardship lifestyle means not only being responsible for my own life, but for the lives of others as well.  We realize that our gifts are not intended for ourselves, rather they are meant to be shared with others.  “Taking up my cross” means doing things when someone else needs me and not when it’s convenient for me.

September 22, 2024

Stewardship Awareness Sunday in the Archdiocese of St. Louis

25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

Jesus teaches us that we are called to love one another.  Love involves sacrifice.  Sacrifice is a word that many of us don’t like to hear.  We think it means that we must give up something that we want.  However, the literal meaning of sacrifice is “to make holy,” from the words “sacer” = sacred and “facere” = to make.   In other words, when we sacrifice, we make our lives holy by sharing our gifts in the service of God.

September 29, 2024

26^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.”  Mark 9:41

We are made in God’s image and likeness.  We tend to forget this.  When you look at others, do you see the face of Jesus in them?  When others look at you, do they see the face of Jesus in you?  When we realize that all lives matter to God, then gratitude and generously become easier.  Why?  Because that’s the way we are made!  We are one Body of Christ; when one of us is hurting, all of us feel the pain.