What Is Stewardship?
Stewardship is Rooted in Gratitude
It is a way of living one’s life, based in one’s sense of radical gratitude to God, creator of all things. Out of the desire to demonstrate our thankfulness to God, we reach out in caring and love to share the gifts we have been given with others. We live as stewards because we must.
As St. Augustine Catholic Parish, “Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which He is to go about doing well; yours are the hands with which He is to bless people now.”
Traditionally stewardship has been thought of as giving of Time, Talent, and Treasure. At St. Augustine Parish, stewardship is lived in a different way: the action of Giving, the action of Praying, and the action of Serving. Together, we call these “GPS.” An electronic GPS helps navigate a journey toward a destination. In the same sense, the Stewardship GPS guides the Christian along the journey to God.
Giving at St. Augustine
Throughout sacred scripture God tells us that everything belongs to God. He made the world and all that is in it. He made us and blessed us with absolutely every gift we have. Our lives, our families, our health, our education, our unique talents and skills, our job and our income are all blessings from God, entrusted into our care for the good of all people. We are called to return just a small portion of our gifts back to the Lord for the sake of our parish community; not simply for just the programs we participate in but for the greater need of the Church and our community.
Your financial Stewardship gift is used to advance the mission of St. Augustine, support our services to our community, offset the costs associated with day-to-day operations of the parish, and our parish programs. Additionally, your contribution benefits our sacramental preparation services, liturgical programs, and Formation programs.
Give Electronically
You may make a contribution online (either a one-time donation or on a monthly/weekly basis) using the portal below. You may also create a username and password to keep track of your giving and for ease-of-use. Additionally we have electronic Kiosks in the Narthex of the church that can be used for electronic, one-time donations.
Give by Cash or Check
You may make a contribution by cash or check using a Stewardship envelope or by placing funds directly in the offertory basket at mass. Additionally you may make a donation by check or money order made out to St. Augustine Catholic Church. Checks can be mailed to the parish: St. Augustine Catholic Church, 3630 N 71st Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85033.
Other Ways to Give
There are many other ways to give financially to our parish. Options include stocks or bonds, including the parish in a will or trust, donations of land or property, and many more. Please contact Juan Ogaz (623-849-3131) in the parish office to discuss these options. Thank you for taking the time to make a special contribution to our community!
A Call to Pray
When we pray we communicate with God. Jesus teaches us that it is necessary to pray always without becoming weary (cf. Lk 18:18). St Paul returns to the same teaching. He writes to the Thessalonians: “Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thes 5:17-18) . When we pray, we are always in union with God, and in turn, with one another.
Get Involved
There are many opportunities for prayer either in private or in community at the parish. We have included the following resources to assist you in your journey. Don’t know where to start? Consider these ideas to get started:
- Take five or more minutes a day to simply talk to God, either mentally or in journal form.
- Learn more about spirituality (listed below) and venture out to learn more about different prayer forms.
- Join a prayer or study group in the parish to enter into community with others.
- Read the Bible online
Service: At the Core of the Gospel
At the very heart of Christian stewardship is the act of service.
Mature disciples make a conscious, firm decision, carried out in action, to be followers of Jesus Christ no matter the cost to themselves. Beginning in conversion, change of mind and heart, this commitment is expressed not in a single action nor even in a number of actions over a period of time, but in an entire way of life. It means committing one’s self to the Lord.
A stewardship parish seeks to be that common faith community within which parishioners are invited and have the opportunity to serve and be served, giving, receiving and sharing their God-given giftedness. It is through the pillar of Stewardship and service at the parish (or broader community level) that a Christian steward is provided the opportunity to respond, in action, to his/her call to discipleship individually and/or collectively.
It is therefore the role of the parish staff, the stewardship council and the many ministry leaders to be attentive to the needs of parishioners, and in turn to provide the opportunity for them to respond in gratitude and action in recognition of the gifts they have received. We encourage parishioners to “try out” different ministries through our First-Serve opportunities.