Stewardship Expressions

Taken from the International Catholic Stewardship Council

November 2nd – All Souls Day and End of Daylight Savings – Pray for the deceased souls of all times. Enjoy an extra hour of clock / sleep time. Value God’s gift of time.

November 4th – Election – Voting is a right and privilege of citizenship. It deserves careful and considerate reflection and decision. Be grateful for the democracy and freedom that enables voting opportunities.

November 8th – National Parents as Teachers Day – The Church recognizes parents as the primary teachers of children. Parents teach in varied ways – through attitude, modeled example, mentoring, educational efforts and demonstrations of courtesy/ respect/ manners.

November 11th – Veterans Day – The day focuses on thanking and honoring ALL those who serve(d) honorably in war or peacetime. Reach out to military families to show appreciation for their willingness and sacrifices in serving our nation. Seek special opportunities and means to express gratitude.

November 22nd – National Family Volunteer Day – Look for ways family time, talents and gifts can be shared to help others. Unite the family in work together as volunteers in the church, community, nation.

November 27th – Thanksgiving Day – This traditional North American holiday was first shared as a celebration of the Pilgrims and Native Americans to express gratitude [to God] for the blessings and bounty of the harvest season. Count the many blessings that you and your family have received. Reflect gratitude to God. Celebrate with others. Share your abundance.

October 2008

 2nd:  The Feast of the Guardian Angels - Serve as a guardian to others by guiding conscience, moral decision and good choices through your faith, modeled example and mentoring.

5th:  Respect Life Sunday - Life, from birth to death, is a gift from God.  As stewards of life, we are to be responsible for respecting, protecting, preserving and cherishing life at all ages and stages.  Many areas sponsor special events to celebrate the day.

6th:  Child Health Day - This is a great day to review health records of children for up-to-date check-ups and immunizations.  Protection and prevention support good health.

12th:  National Children's Day and Farmer's Day - Both provide hope for the future of our world.  Special time spent with children can nurture interests, talents and abilities for discovery and development.  Have fun sharing time together.   Gratefully remember farmers each day in mealtime prayer for their dedication and sacrifices in providing food for our tables.  Make a special effort to take a food supply to a local food pantry.

13th:  Columbus Day - This commemorates Columbus' discovery of the West Indies.  What discoveries have you made about yourself - in talents, using abilities, or by pursuing varied interests?  Seek ways to apply these God-given gifts in daily living.

16th:  World Food Day - Much of the world population is hungry each day.  Consider how you might be able to contribute and serve in feeding and relieving hunger pains of others.  Buy and contribute extra food, send a contribution to a food relief charity, volunteer time serving at a food kitchen or packing food for distribution.  Consider working for Meals on Wheels.

19th:  World Mission Sunday - Celebrated in all local churches, this feast celebrates universal solidarity for Christians around the world to recognize their common responsibility with regard to evangelization of the world.  Shared support serves this world-wide evangelization ministry effort.  Saint Patrick's Children's Collection envelopes go to support the World Missions.

26th:  Priesthood Sunday - Honor and celebrate the vocation, commitment and dedication of priests to ministry service.  Show appreciation to priests for serving their ministry vocation in your parish/diocese.

31st:  Hallowed Eve (Halloween) - Review and share the history of this church feast.  Spend time evaluating how you live to reflect saint-like stewardship.

Written by Suzanne Erpenbach, Stewardship Director, Diocese of Knoxville in Tennessee