International Catholic Stewardship Council

The 2016 Christian Stewardship Award is presented to:

Monsignor Matthew Bernelli
Pastor Emeritus, St. Mary Catholic Church
Bridgeport, Connecticut

For over a decade Monsignor Matthew Bernelli has shared his vision of stewardship with the ICSC family, contributing his wisdom and experience to the Spanish-language track at ICSC conferences. He is Pastor Emeritus of St. Mary Catholic Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he was pastor for 36 years.

Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Is with Us

The feast of Pentecost reminds us that the Christianity we stewards profess is not for the tepid. It’s not a part-time deal, a Sunday morning interlude, something we’ll try to get around to when we’re not so busy. Pentecost reminds us, with mighty wind and terrifying flame, that as Christian stewards we must be all in.

The images of the first Pentecost are compelling. In Acts 2:1-11, we find a weary band of disciples, frightened and confused, reeling from the events of the preceding weeks: Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, followed by a mock trial and a gruesome crucifixion, incredible tales of Resurrection, sightings of a Lord who comes in the breaking of bread and with grilled fish cooked on a beach.