Anyone listening to the pledge drives for NPR or WCRB will hear how important listener support is as it provides 70% of their budget. Through our Annual Stewardship Appeal pledge drive, pooling our resources of time, talent and treasure provides 100% of our support. We do not have resources from outside the parish to fill our ministries, our pews or pay our expenses. It requires the support of each and every one of our parishioners for us to function as a parish community.
I had the privilege of hearing all the witness talks at each of the Masses last weekend. When we listen to speakers we all hear different things and are left with different impressions. For me, when Joe Buckley shared the sorrow in his heart of his life-long parish (St. Gabriel) in Brighton closing and he had to find a new home, I couldn’t help but wonder how many others have had the same experience. Having a vibrant parish takes the whole parish to keep it moving into the future.
Casey Goyette shared that his mother made him choose a ministry and now that he is involved in ministry he feels much more involved and excited about parish life. It takes someone in each household to give us a little push to pledge our time, talent and treasure. Encouraging each other to be stewards is how we remain a vibrant and alive Catholic Community.
Mike Matondi’s roots were planted in him when he was growing up and encouraged to be an altar server by his parents. Those tiny mustard seeds of faith grew into the dedicated parishioner that Mike is today. What kind of seeds are you planting in your household? How deeply are you rooted in our Catholic Community here at Sacred Heart? It takes the pledge of support from each and every one of us to be the Catholic Community God calls us to be.
All ministries are open to everyone, young and old. Every pledge no matter how large or small is necessary to pay our bills. It takes us all coming together in worship to praise God as a community of faith. My prayer is that we have 100% support from our Catholic Community.