What is Stewardship and where does this concept of stewardship come from? It is an attitude about who we are and what we have. Simply, it begins with the realization that everything we are and everything we own are gifts, freely given to us by a God who loves us and calls us into a relationship with Himself. We have nothing - not even life itself - which is not a gift from God. And, with that understanding comes both a desire to somehow "give back" in thanksgiving some share of all that we have been given and a growing awareness of our responsibility to use those gifts wisely. Simply put, stewardship is the attitude of responsive and responsible gratitiude.

Stewardship, like all Church-related activities, draws its strength and power from the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life. The Second Vatican Council reminds us, "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch."

Through stewardship, we are able to give back to God in thanksgiving for all that he has given us. (Ps. 116:12) Whatever our talents - singing or teaching, cooking or collecting food, serving at the altar or the soup kitchen, quietly adorning the Blessed Sacrament or reading aloud to the assembly - there is a stewardship opportunity for everyone.

Stewardship is the result of looking at our week or month or year and asking ourselves, "Where are my priorities? Where do I spend my time? With 168 hours in a week, how much time are we willing to give back to God by volunteering our talents? After we budget our time for our family, work and personal needs, what do we do with the time remaining? How much can we give back to the parish community? An hour a day? Each week? Each Month?" All of us have been blessed; it is up to us to seek out how we will share those talents with our parish family. Faith takes on meaning in the context of recognizing Christ in our brothers and sisters and doing good works for and with them.

"I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (Mt. 25:40)

The Stewardship handbook is designed to help you find your stewardship opportunity in St. James Parish. Each ministry has a different character and different needs. Our inspired response is to realize our gifts and to share them. If you don't have a handbook, stop by the rectory or pick on up from the literature rack in the Church.

"There are varieties of gifts but the same spirit. There are varieties of service but the same Lord and there are varieties of working but it is the came God who inspires them all in everyone..." (1 Cor. 12:4-8)

We hope you will find at least one "match" that suits your talents so that all of us may live our lives as the gospel asks us - as good stewards.