Advent: Exercising Good Stewardship of Our Spiritual Lives
When you say the word “Advent,” what immediately pops into mind? A feast of color, atraditional manger scene bathed in soft candlelight, glistening snowflakes falling on festive trees,a yearning for the One who is to come. But sometimes, the season brings other images: crowded stores, treats that tempt us to toomany calories, limitless to-do and …
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ICSC December Stewardship Prayer
Stewardship Prayer Lord, As we journey through this Advent season,give us the wisdom to be good stewardsof this time of grace, a time to be more prayerful,to listen more intently to Your Word;a time to allow our faith to grow and mature.Show us how to give witnessto your Good News more ferventlyamong our families, friendsand …
Stewardship Saint for December: Saint Francis Xavier
Francis Xavier was born in 1506 to an aristocratic Basque family near Navarre, Spain. At the age of 19, he went to study at the University of Paris, and by age 24, he was already a teacher of philosophy who had a promising academic career ahead of him. His life changed after he became acquainted …
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Transform November into a Month of Thanksgiving
Very soon Americans will celebrate the Thanksgiving holidays; a time where so much is devoted to sumptuous meals highlighted by turkey and pumpkin pie, traveling to and from the ancestral home, enjoying family, feasting on leftovers, seeing a Thanksgiving Day parade and watching football. For many of us, Thanksgiving Day is so full of activity …
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ICSC November Stewardship Prayer
Stewardship Prayer Gracious and loving God, As the autumn season continues its transformation;and the days become shorter, the earth cooler;as we anticipate joining family and friendsin joyful celebration on Thanksgiving Day,we pause to give You thanks and praisefor the abundant blessings You have bestowed upon us: For life and health, safety and comfort,food and nourishment, …
Steward Saint for November: Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
St. Frances Cabrini, better known as Mother Cabrini, was the first American citizen to be elevated to sainthood by the Catholic Church. Born in 1850, near Milan in northern Italy, she was the youngest of 13 children. As a young girl she was fascinated by the stories of missionaries and made up her mind to …
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Stewardship Saint for October: Saint John XXIII
Saint John XXIII is arguably the most beloved pope in the history of the Catholic Church. He touched people around the world in a way no other pope had ever done, earning him the affectionate title of “Good Pope John.” He was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, the third of 13 children, to poor tenant farmers …
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ICSC October Stewardship Prayer
Stewardship Prayer On October 11, 1962, Saint Pope JohnXXIII prayed the following prayer to openthe Second Vatican Council. Thereafter, thebishops at the Council continued to praythis prayer together before every session. We stand before you, Holy Spirit,conscious of our sinfulness,but aware that we gather in your name. Come to us, remain with us, and enlightenour …
ICSC September Stewardship Prayer
Loving and Gracious God,We ask You to open our heartsto your Son’s life and ministryand to answer the callto be his disciples. May our responsebe rootedin the Gospel; may we beever mindfulof the needsof our communities; and may our stewardship flow from aprofound sense of gratitudefor Your many blessings. By the gift of the Holy …