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 November 15, 2010, 7:00 p.m.  Present: 

Barb Johnson, Margaret Burkett, Agnes Bohr, Pam Daley, Lavon Fye, Peg Seifried and Connie Frana.  Absent:  Fr. Cahill, Kay Barnes, Margaret Sobolik and Elaine Bergan.

            Barb Johnson called the meeting to order and led the group in a reflection on Stewardship and discussion on Fr. Cahill’s weekend homily asking what you would do if you knew tomorrow was your last day. 

            Barb reported the Stewardship banner together with a banner by the Faithful Followers will be ready by ordinary time.

            Margaret Burkett reported she has gotten more information on the Giving Tree.  We will have the tags available the weekend after Thanksgiving.  Volunteers are needed to help deliver the donated items on Dec. 19.  Donations are still being received for the Reverse Collection.

Barb reported that there have been 2 meetings of students and parents to help plan the youth activities.  Another meeting is scheduled for this week following Rel. Ed. Classes.  The group has named themselves the “Faithful Followers” and is designing a T-shirt with a wordle based on “Faithful Followers” on the front and on the back “10 reasons why I am a Faithful Follower” 

10.    I was dragged into it

9.     For the food

8.     Because I am a good kid

7.     It’s cool

6.     I care

5.     It’s fun

4.     That’s how I roll

3.     We are a family

2.     God rocks

1.     I love Jesus

Keep the Faith

The goal is to have this group plan the youth activities and to integrate

Stewardship ideals. Barb inquired as to a possible space for this group – the parish office basement was suggested.  The Archdiocese provided some guidelines and goals for youth ministry.  A suggestion included going to where the kids are, i.e. sporting events, etc.

            Barb had asked the parish council if this group should be under the direction of Faith Formation but Fr. Cahill felt the Stewardship Committee should continue to work with the group for now.

            The weekend masses were well attended with the 7th grade Rel. Ed. Students being the liturgical ministers.  It was suggested we schedule the Rel. Ed. Students to minister at all the masses next October to boost attendance for the October count.

The committee discussed several suggestions given when parishioners were questioned about the parish.  One suggestion was for the Stewardship Committee to reach out to other committees and help the other committees incorporate Stewardship actions.  Another suggestion including conducting an in-service for the school and Rel. Ed. Teachers on how to incorporate Stewardship in their classes.  Another suggestion about the parish was to have a later Sat. afternoon mass to accommodate the working people.

The group will continue to look at goals and how to implement these ideas at the January meeting.

            The next meeting will be on Jan. 17.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Connie Frana, Secretary

           

           

           

           

         

           

           

               

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.  

March, 2010   Reverse collection - parishioners were asked to take a tag out of the collection basket listing an item to donate to the local food pantry.  Will continue reverse collections in June, Oct., Jan., March.

June, 2010      Banner for Pentecost made by Rel. Ed. students displaying stewardship logo.