July 21, 2015 // Uncategorized

Responding to the call of discipleship

Todays Catholic

“Jesus’ disciples and Christian stewards recognize God as the origin of life, giver of freedom, and source of all things. We are grateful for the gifts we have received and are eager to use them to show our love for God and for one another. We look to the life and teaching of Jesus for guidance in living as Christian stewards. … Stewards of God’s gifts are not passive beneficiaries. We cooperate with God in our own redemption and in the redemption of others.” — “To Be a Christian Steward, A Summary of the U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship,” 1992.

There is a frequently quoted Scripture verse from Luke that says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required.” Practical examples of this can be found everywhere: You get a promotion and larger title at your job, the more work you have to do. You are blessed with additional children, the more people you are responsible for feeding, caring for and teaching the love of God. There is another word for this kind of responsibility — stewardship. Simply, stewardship is the way that you are aware of and take care of what gifts you are given.

This is such an important concept that God even outlines it for us in the book of Genesis. Our awesome responsibility begins when God makes us in His own divine image and likeness. Then, He instructs all humankind to “have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and all living things that move on the earth.”

So, now it’s up to us to decide to answer God’s call to stewardship. In 1992, the bishops of the United States issued “Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response,” a pastoral letter that address stewardship as a way of life. They made the case that there is an “essential link between being a Catholic and living a life of stewardship as an expression of the call to discipleship.”

The work of the Today’s Catholic newspaper is truly a response to the call of discipleship and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all. It is the goal of Today’s Catholic to bring you the messages of Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades; to celebrate with our local parishes at special milestones; to promote the work of numerous ministries; and to keep you informed of important headlines throughout the world that have impact on the Catholic Church.

We are so fortunate that in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend all registered Catholic households receive a complimentary copy of this weekly publication. That is over 45,000 papers for each publication! Unfortunately, the cost of this ministry continues to rise with increases in postage, transportation and general costs of printing. Twice a year, Today’s Catholic encloses an envelope in the paper for a donation to the newspaper and you will find that envelope inside this week’s edition. If you have donated before, I sincerely thank you for your generosity. Even through difficult economic times, you have been supportive of our work through your financial contributions and we are so grateful.

To all of our readers, I ask you to prayerfully consider a gift to Today’s Catholic. Every single gift enables our staff to continue to share the call to discipleship through the production of Today’s Catholic. We are thrilled to be able to produce the paper both in print and online at todayscatholicnews.org and look forward to the expansion of our reach through multiple sources. You can help us continue our work. Please enclose your gift in the envelope, or go online to donate electronically at the online giving page at www.diocesefwsb.org. or at www.todayscatholicnews.org. While you are there, sign up to receive Today’s Catholic news through e-mail. We thank you for your generosity.

Stephanie A. Patka is the Secretariat of Communications for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and the business manager of Today’s Catholic newspaper.

Click here for a list of donors from the January campaign.