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Message from Bishop
Doran
Dear Friends in Christ,
Do you consider yourself a Christian steward?
For many years in this diocese, we have been presenting the Church's
stewardship teaching. Many people have embraced stewardship as a way of life
and have shared their stories with us. For others, the message seems to take
more time to sink in.
I heard a stewardship witness one time say that even though he had heard
the stewardship message preached by his pastor many times, and has friends
who have embraced stewardship with all their hearts, he, more or less,
ignored it. Then one day after hearing the message again, he came to a new
insight and said to himself, "this applies to me." Up to that point, he
shared, it was someone else's responsibility to be a Christian steward.
Christian stewards realize that everything in their lives - their families,
skills, experiences, faith, the Church and the common things that we all need
to live - are all gifts from a loving God. Christian stewards feel grateful to
be so loved and gifted.
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In response, Christian stewards see a higher
purpose for all they have and are - the kingdom of God - God's glory. They
cultivate and develop their gifts; they place them in service; and they make
a return to the Lord with increase as sacrificial givers of their time,
talent, treasure, and assets.
My hope is that at this time, all of us will seriously
ask ourselves that question above. My prayer is that we all will answer: "this
applies to me."
With my personal best wishes
Cordially yours,
The Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, D.D., J.C.D.
Bishop of Rockford
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