This weekend, we will join other parishes of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in renewing our commitment to sacrificial giving (“tithing”) as the means of financial stewardship within the parish. Many of our parishioners have embraced sacrificial giving and I am grateful for your commitment to God and to our parish. Your “Attitude of Gratitude” is a blessing to our parish and to your personal life as well. There is no doubt that we find ourselves in difficult economic times and many people are suffering the effects of unemployment or underemployment. Others have seen their retirement “nest egg” decline significantly. Still, there is much to be grateful for because in spite of the current economic hardships, we continue to have a much higher standard of living than most of the people of the world.
Stewardship is based on the spiritual principles of the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus. Stewardship is a way of life based on the premise that all that we have and all that we are have come from God and, as a way to thank God for all His blessings, we return a portion of the time, talent, and treasure that have been given to us. Stewardship encourages a spirituality that deepens our relationship with the Lord. Stewardship involves intentional, planned, and proportionate giving of our time, talent, and treasure. Stewardship addresses both individual parishioners and the parish as a whole.
The spiritual benefits of Sacrificial Giving (tithing) are many and include: (1) a sense of peace and satisfaction that comes from generosity; (2) an awareness that God comes first in our lives, even in decisions about money; (3) a deep sense of pride in our parish’s progress made possible through tithing; (4) an ability to distinguish between wants and needs; (5) a deeper awareness of society’s materialism and consumerism; (6) a keener appreciation of the world’s poor and how we can lessen their pain and poverty; and (7) a quiet confidence in the Lord’s protective care. In Sacrificial Giving we place ourselves confidently in God’s hands, and are strengthened by the words revealed to Saint Faustina when Jesus gave to her the image of Divine Mercy – “Jesus, I trust in You!”
Sacrificial Giving is essential for the financial well-being of the parish. Thank you for your participation in Sacrificial Giving, and your support of Our Lady of Fatima Parish.