In a soft and gentle voice, Jacob Rivers, a parishioner at Our Lady of Good Help Parish in Mapleville, said, “I like to ring the tower bell because I want to be part of the Church and get closer to Jesus.” Jacob responded to a question asked by his pastor, Father Joseph A. Pescatello, at the celebration of Mass during the parish’s recent Stewardship Weekend.
Just six years old, Jacob is proud of his role as a young Christian steward who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends to them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord.
During his homily at the Saturday evening Mass, Father Pescatello approached another parishioner with the microphone asking the same question — “Why do you participate in the life of your parish community?”
Rebecca Latendresse responded, “Being an altar server allows me to help younger children have a deeper understanding of the Mass.”
Roger Ducharme also addressed his fellow parishioners and briefly mentioned the many parish ministries that provide him with the opportunity to share his gifts of time and talent. He stated that his involvement within the St. Vincent de Paul Society has enabled him to grow spiritually through his visits with those less fortunate who are often portrayed as faceless people within our neighborhoods.
The culmination of the parish’s Stewardship Weekend was the Ministry Fair. At the conclusion of each Mass, Father Pescatello invited and encouraged parishioners to visit the ministry tables that were set up on the church lawn. The Stewardship Committee planned and organized the Ministry Fair to spotlight the parish’s 28 existing ministries and outreach activities. Many parishioners have a gift or talent that they would like to share but do not know what opportunities are available to them. The fair provided those parishioners with an invitation to proclaim the word of God as a lector, counsel engaged couples within the Marriage Preparation Program, or sing in the parish choir.
Our Lady of Good Help Parish was a “Stewardship Parish” long before a formal stewardship committee convened in November 2006. With assistance from the Office of Stewardship & Development, the committee began the process of educating and informing parishioners about Christian stewardship through bulletin and pulpit announcements, Prayers of the Faithful, and an introductory letter from the pastor. Parishioners were introduced to phrases such as “gifted by God,” “disciple’s response,” and “attitude of gratitude.” Characteristics of a stewardship parish were evident. Parishioners were warm and hospitable, committed to be prayerful disciples of Jesus Christ. Consciously grateful, they were active and involved in their parish community.
Robert Goudreau is the Chairperson of the Our Lady of Good Help Parish Stewardship Committee. Commenting on the more than 200 parishioners who came forward to commit their time and talent, Goudreau stated, “The entire process leading up to the ‘Celebration of Parish Life’ weekend seemed to be an invigorating event for all of our current ministries. After Mass, it was nice to see the crowds of parishioners gathering at different displays and talking with their fellow parishioners about the various ministries.” He added, “I was struck by how beautiful it was to see the excitement on both sides of the booth ... those asking questions and those sharing the love they have for their ministries. It was a great weekend to see the love and support that so many parishioners have for all that goes on here at Our Lady of Good Help Parish.”
Not an end but only the beginning, this vibrant community of believers has successfully taken the first step on their journey of incorporating the principles of stewardship as a way of life.
