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 Jan. 25, 2010, 7:00 p.m.  Present:  Barb Johnson, Peg Seifried, Margaret Sobolik, Margaret Burkett, Emory Westcott, Agnes Bohr and Connie Frana.  Absent:  Fr. Ament, Lavon Fye, Elaine Bergan and Kay Barnes.

            Barb Johnson called the meeting to order and led the group in a prayer written by her Rel. Ed. class.

            Margaret Burkett gave a report on the Giving Tree project.  It went well.  Parish participation was very good.  The Confirmation students that helped take the gifts to the Featherlite Center were very good.  We had tags for 57 families from CARE and 18 families from Community Action.  It took awhile to get all the names – they are planning to get the names out earlier next year.  We would be willing to help them if possible.  It was also suggested that the items on the tags from Community Action could be made into several tags.  John Deere and Fareway also donated food for holiday meals.  It was suggested we do a reverse collection during Lent.  Items needed for the food bank will be placed on a tag and the tags will be placed in the collection basket and passed around during mass and people can take a tag.  It is hoped it can be coordinated with Rel. Ed. class weekend masses.

            The pizza party held for the 7th – 12th graders on Jan. 6 went very well.  The suggestions given by the students to be involved in the parish were reviewed.  The catechists will review it at their meeting on Feb. 3 and then back to the students for input on which items to do this year and how to implement them.  Barb will visit with Pam Daley about the ideas and Pam will visit with Fr. Ament.  Emory will report to the Council the ideas.

            The next meeting will be on March 15.  Margaret Sobolik and Agnes Bohr will bring the treats.

               

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 (see insert) 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.

 

May, 2006              “Thoughts to Ponder” article in bulletin with articles reflecting Stewardship and questions for parishioners to “ponder” and respond to.  Responses printed in bulletin.

 

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

 

Jan., 2007               “Thoughts to Ponder” column with short articles pertaining to Stewardship

 

May., 2007             Faith Sharing with Parish committees

 

Dec., 2007              Giving Tree

 

Jan., 2008               Rel. Ed. students begin making banners for church events

 

Feb., 2008              Ministry Fair

 

Sept., 2008             Invite St. Bridget Parishioners to join Notre Dame Parish

 

Oct., 2008               Begin having Rel. Ed. classes minister at weekend masses

 

Dec., 2008              Email meditation to parishioners

 

Dec., 2008              Giving Tree/CARE project

 

Feb., 2009              Email meditation to parishioners

March, 2009            Ministry Fair  

March, 2009           Will continue Monthly Email meditations to parishioners

October, 2009       Adopted a logo for stewardship

Nov.- Dec., 2009    Giving Tree

Dec., 2009           Celebration of Stewardship showing appreciation to all who participate in various ministries of parish

Jan., 2010      Pizza party for 7th - 12th graders.  Shared ideas on how they can participate in parish.  Time and Talent sheets for them.