STEWARDSHIP

Mission statement:

To permeate parish life and activity so that the faithful recognize the call to be Christian stewards and act on it.  A Christian Steward is one who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord.

           

Stewardship Committee Minutes

 

            The Stewardship Committee met on November 17, 7:00 p.m.  Present:  Barb Johnson, Dawn Milligan, Elaine Bergan, Lavon Fye, Margaret Burkett, Peg Seifried, and Connie Frana.  Absent: Fr. Ament, Bridget Christopher, Janet Fortman, Mary Ann Conway and David Gosch.    

            Barb Johnson called the meeting to order and the group watched a portion of the presentation from the recent Stewardship Conference in Chicago .

            Barb shared a reflection on gratitude she had received via email.  The group decided that would be a good way to reach people with stewardship reflections.  How to get people’s email addresses was discussed.  It was decided to use the parishioner email addresses we currently have through school and Rel. Ed.  Wendy and Mary Jane will be asked if this would be o.k.  An email account will be set up in the name of “Notre Dame Stewards”.  A reflection will be send periodically.  There will be a notation on the email asking people to forward or to let us know if there are others who would like to receive these as well as a way to discontinue receiving the messages.  We will also ask for email addresses through the bulletin and on the Time and Talent Sheets.  The committee members will bring reflections to the meeting for the group to determine which ones to send out.

            A Stewardship bookmark that had been handed out in the past will be made available again to the parishioners during Advent.

            Margaret will be in charge of the Giving Tree.  The office will be receiving names.  The tree will try to be located.  Lavon volunteered to help.   Barb will check with the confirmation students to see if any of them would like to help as well. 

            Barb will also check with the confirmation students regarding posters for the food pantry boxes and banners for Easter.  Margaret is checking on wooden holders for the banners.

            The next Stewardship meeting will be to attend the Circles of Faith potluck on Dec. 15 at 6:00 p.m. followed by Karla Klimesh speaking on hospice.  The Stewardship committee will meet again on Jan. 19.  Treats can be brought to share to celebrate the New Year.

 

                    

           Notre Dame Parish Stewardship Activities and Ideas:

 

ACTIVITIES:

Stewardship Committee member also on parish council to report to the council of activities.

 

March, 2004    Gratitude Banner for all to sign with caption:  “Jesus calls us all by name.  If you are grateful, sign your name”

 

April, 2004       Banner for all to sign with caption:  “Alleluia!  Alleluia!  With Joyful Heart Share What You are Grateful For. . .”

 

May, 2004       Incorporated items listed on banner in weekend prayers of the faithful.

 

June, 2004       Banner for all to sign with caption:  “Many of your prayers are answered each day.  Name the favors that came your way.”

 

June, 2004       Changing our Book of Petitions which is available for people to write their prayer requests to the Book of Petitions and Blessings and encouraging people to write their blessings as well as petitions.

 

Began July, 2004 and continues  Attitude of Gratitude to parish volunteers.  A box in the 

bulletin to recognize a different group of volunteers each week with the number of people participating in each activity.

 

Aug., 2004       Operation Crayon Donations by parishioners of school

supplies and money to the children of Iraq .  Sent 326 lbs. of school supplies. 

 

Oct, 2004        Get Well cards and letters to our injured servicemen in Iraq . 

 

Dec., 2004       Giving Tree during Advent including items to be given to Community Action as well as items to the parish in relationship to Jesse Tree symbols (i.e.  Manna = altar breads)

 

Jan., 2005        Pop can tabs for Ronald McDonald House.

 

May, 2005       Shoes for children in Nicaragua  

July, 2005       Article/picture in "Witness" about pop tab collection project.  

Sept., 2005      Support community donations to Hurricane Katrina

 

Dec. 2005        Giving Tree during Advent including items given to Community Action in Howard and Winneshiek Counties  

March, 2006    Stewardship Prayer Cards distributed.  Banners for people to list items they are thankful for.

April, 2006    "Thoughts to ponder" column in bulletin sharing stories about stewardship and requesting responses to questions pertaining to the article

Dec. 2006    Giving Tree during Advent including items given to Community Action in Howard and Winneshiek Counties

2007            Emphasis on prayer in individual lives; committees; parish.

Dec. 2007     Giving Tree during Advent including items given to Community Action in Howard and Winneshiek Counties

Feb., 2008    Ministry Fair

May, 2008    Inviting St. Bridget Parishioners to Notre Dame Parish