St. Mary's Parish - Prince George

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC PARISH
STEWARDSHIP

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PART 6

�Becoming a disciple of Jesus leads naturally to the practice of stewardship. These linked realities, discipleship and stewardship, then make up the fabric of a Christian life which each day is lived in an intimate, personal relationship with the Lord.� (Pastoral Letter on Stewardship)

This way of living is centred in Christ and has its origin in baptism. Each Christian is called to show forth in speech and life the new life in Christ which begins in baptism. Disciples are called to be witnesses � witnesses to their faith, witnesses to the message of Christ, witnesses to the love of God in our world. Our faith joins us in intimacy with the Lord, and this union helps us to grow in our sense of being part of Christ and of the community of faith.

Our mission is to �do God�s will, to proclaim the good news of salvation, to heal the afflicted, to care for one�s sisters and brothers, to give life � life to the full � as Jesus did.� (Pastoral Letter on Stewardship)

Being a disciple is not just something that we add to our lives, another activity or task that we undertake alongside all our other activities. It is a total way of life and requires ongoing conversion. We see that everything we do, we must do as a disciple. All our actions and words give witness to who we are, not just some words or some actions. We are not disciples only when we help out at the soup kitchen, and at no other time in our day. Rather we are to live as disciples all the time, when we are driving to work, when we are doing our job, when we are enjoying lunch with co-workers, when we are bathing the kids or cooking the meals or mowing the lawn. Discipleship is to infuse all of our actions, thoughts and words.

Stewardship is the attitude that recognizes this gift of faith, this call to discipleship, and chooses to use this gift wisely and well, to share it with others, to use it for the good of others, and to give thanks to God for the gift. Stewards recognize all the gifts that God has given and know that God wants them to cherish those gifts and to use those gifts to serve others as to grow personally.

Remembering Paul�s image of the Church as the Body of Christ, and his admonition that the Spirit gives many gifts, always for the building up of that body, we use God�s gifts as God intends them to be used.

How do I see discipleship � as a whole way of life or as something that I add on to my regular life?

What gifts has God given me to use for the building up of the Body? Do I use them as God intends?