At Most Blessed Sacrament we spend a great amount of time talking about Christian discipleship and stewardship. Why? Because stewardship is an integral part of our parish life and the Christian calling; it recognized that everything we have and are comes from God. It involves a wise use of all the gifts God has given to us personally – our time, talent and material possessions and the gifts God has given us as a society – natural resources, the environment, etc. The Bible tells us that part of this recognition and use is that we must return to the Lord the first fruits of the gifts God has given us in recognition of our dependence on and gratitude to Him.

Christian stewardship can be divided into three areas: Time, Talent, and Treasure. Time Stewardship is the consideration of how we use God’s blessing of daily life; it is how we prioritize the activities of our day to include God in prayer, reflection and worship. Talent Stewardship is the consideration of how we use God’s blessing of our gift of talent; it is how we return back to God a portion of our different abilities to benefit the Church and the world. Treasure Stewardship is consideration of offering to God the first fruits of our financial blessings: it is our willingness to tithe, or give the first 10 percent, back to the Lord what has been entrusted to us in our earnings.

I ask you to consider these two questions:

1) is God at the center of your life?; and

2) is God’s divine plan the path you are walking today?

Recognize that time and talent are precious gifts entrusted to you by God, and respond gratefully by using them wisely to fulfill God’s mission for you. Make the most of your time and give of it generously to God and others. Accept God’s mission for you and let your life be guided by God’s will, not your own personal desires and impulses. Do the best you can in everything you do - dedicate your daily work to God. Develop your talents to the fullest so that you can use them to benefit the world. Finally become an open channel through which God’s love and care can flow to the earth.

Each year members are asked to re-commit to Christian Stewardship or to become involved for the first time as a Steward of the gifts God has entrusted to them to use. I hope that you will take every opportunity to answer God's call to be a "good steward" of your talents of Time & Treasure. If you need suggestions concerning how your talents can be used in our parish community, visit the "Ministries" page of this web site.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart. May God bless you with wisdom and courage to be good stewards of you time, talent and treasure.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Bruce W. Wilkinson

Pastor