STEWARDSHIP TALK

9/21/08

Good Morning!

My name is Marybeth Lithgow and this is my husband Jerry. We’ve been asked to talk to you today about Stewardship and about how stewardship has changed our lives by putting faith in action with time, talent and treasure.

For me personally, stewardship hasn’t “changed” my life; it has always been a part of my life especially here at St. Matthew’s. I was baptized here many years ago, attended school here and made the rest of my sacraments, was married here, one of our three children was baptized here, I worked here as a teacher and my three children attended school here. So from this, you can see that St. Matthew’s is like my second family. Whatever stage of my life I was in, be it student, parent, teacher; my time and talent and treasure continued to be given to community as well as church organizations. Even though I am not teaching here at St. Matt’s anymore, I still remain connected as a member of the parish by serving on the parish council, stewardship commission, the pre-baptism team, and the carnival committee.

Jerry…

I believe that God has given me many blessings in my life. And through stewardship I have a way of thanking God and praising Him for these blessings. I have been blessed with three incredible sometimes challenging children, Gerald, Patrick and Katie…and I share my experiences as a parent with the young couples who go to the pre baptism meetings. I have been blessed somewhat with a talent for singing…so I thank God for this by singing in the church choir. I have been blessed to have this parish and school at St. Matthew’s…so I support it with my involvement in the carnival. For me it is very easy to be a steward. Please consider joining us and giving of your time, talent and treasure. It has changed my life and given me many fulfilling moments. But more importantly it has strengthened my faith and brought me closer to God.

Marybeth…

All of us are here today for a reason whether it be for personal prayer, gathering with friends, singing to the Lord…the reason has to do with stewardship. So before you go home today we’d like you to reflect on this: Does our time, talent and treasure truly measure our gratitude for all we have been given? Let us look at what we give to our church and community in terms of time and service and treasure and ask ourselves if this is enough response to all that God has given us… If it is not enough, as Jerry said, come join this family of St. Matthew’s parish in any way you can.

Thank you.