Stewardship isn't a program or a fundraising campaign. It's not an empty buzzword or a fancy way to talk about money. Rather, stewardship is the personal virtue that allows each of us to use God's gifts wisely, to the best of our ability, and for the good of the Church. The Pillars of Parish Stewardship - hospitality, prayer, formation and service - provide us with opportunities to grow as stewards of faith and to live the stewardship way of life in our daily lives.

Hospitality

The most vibrant stewardship parishes are those in which parishioners know they are welcomed which fosters a sense of ownership and personal involvement in lived stewardship to the parish family.

"When I was a stranger, you welcomed me" (Mt 25:35). Jesus teaches that whenever we welcome the least of our brothers or sisters, we welcome Christ Himself. That is why the first mark of a Stewardship Parish is hospitality. Simple acts of kindness are one of the first ways we can be Christ-like toward others.

Prayer

In both our personal and communal prayer, we turn toward God to discern properly our talents and gifts. In a steward's response, we place those gifts at the service of God and one another. At the heart of the steward's prayer is the petition, "Thy Will be done."

Prayer prepares us spiritually to do things we didn't think possible, to reach new heights, to do the will of God. Are we satisfied with our prayer life? Do our families pray together regularly? Is God calling us to spend more time with Him? Stewards listen to their hearts and challenge themselves and their family to live a more Christ-centered existence.

Formation

Every parish organization has a role to play in nurturing the faith formation of the parishioners. The meaning of faithful stewardship and how to live this way of life is at the core of the disciple's response to the gift of faith we freely receive from our loving God.

Pope John Paul II always emphasized ongoing conversion. From childhood through adulthood, our whole life must be a process of drawing closer to God. God never stops calling us forward to learn more and to examine ourselves more deeply.

Service

The pillar of service is an opportunity for the parish to put into practice the other three pillars; hospitality, prayer and formation. True stewardship parishes practice all four pillars, with Jesus Christ as the model and the foundation from which the pillars arise.

"As I have done, so you must also do." These were Christ's words after He washed His apostle's feet at the last supper. In this dramatic moment, Jesus called His followers to a life of humility and service. Helping others, especially the poor, is how a stewardship parish community follows Christ's command "to love your neighbor as yourself".