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Table of Contents

Benefits of the Planned Parish Offering Program Page 2 Planned Parish Offering Program

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Planned Parish Offering Logistics

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Reporting

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Appendix I – Sample Parish Stewardship Report

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Appendix II – Declaration of Intention

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Appendix III – The Lay Witness Talk

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Appendix IV - Homily Talking Points

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Appendix V Week III – Commitment Sunday

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Appendix VI – Thank You Letter

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Appendix VII – Follow-Up Letter

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Appendix VIII – Quarterly Reminder

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Appendix IX – Offertory Program Evaluation

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Sample Stewardship Self-Assessment

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Sample English Sample Letters

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Sample Spanish Samples Letters

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Sample Parishioner Survey

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Handouts

Benefits of the Planned Parish Offering Program

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Sample Parish Stewardship Report

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Program Timeline

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Is Your Parish Ready For Stewardship?

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Stewardship Standards

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Theology of Stewardship

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Electronic Giving

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ABC’s of Stewardship

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his manual is available on our website: www.jolietdioceseappeal.org

(updated July 2014)

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The Diocese of Joliet Planned Parish Offering Program’s purpose is to form parishioners in

an understanding and practice of true scriptural self-giving, to develop them as grateful givers, and

to enable and expand the mission of the parish.

The Planned Parish Offering Program provides an opportunity each year to express thanks

to the parish community for their generosity throughout the previous year and to invite even greater

self-giving in the year to come. This allows many of the current ministries of the parish to be

sustained and provides for expansion into new ministry areas.

It is much more likely to develop great giving when a parish does a thorough job in planning

and communications. Planning is important because it creates a clear vision and action plan for the

parish. Why does the parish need money? Why does the parishioner need to give? Oftentimes this

solid plan translates into improved ministry, which affects giving levels. And, increased giving

enables ministries to be improved. Finally, the planning process is valuable to development. Studies

show that when people feel informed and involved in the direction-setting process of an

organization, they are much more likely to give generously.

Communications is important as a means to form and inform parish members.

Using basic tools such as the bulletin, parish paper, pulpit, letters, the annual report, envelope

mailings and web site, a parish can helps its members to feel a greater sense of commitment and

belonging as well as increased understanding and enthusiasm for the future. These factors of

planning, ministry, communications and giving are key to the success of an integrated parish

development program.

Benefits of the Planned Parish Offering Program

• Personalized annual solicitation/communication with ALL registered parishioners

• Identification of major parish contributors

(“A” and “B” Segmented Parishioner-Groups)

• Opportunity to clean up parish records

• Increases parishioner awareness of parish finances

• Enhances parish planning and budgeting process

• Increases annual offertory support

• Initiates a Development mentality with regard to parish support

• Promotes concepts of stewardship such as gratitude and accountability

• Increases offertory collections, on average, 25-38%

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Planned Parish Offering Program (An appeal for increased offerings through the Sunday Offering Collection)

The Planned Parish Offering Program is conducted over a three-week period and includes a

homily presentation by the pastor and lay witness presentations by individual parishioners.

Following these homily presentations, a personalized, segmented mailing is sent to all parish

households. This program can be adapted each year for use as part of a parish’s annual stewardship

appeal; that time when we make a return to God with increase (to the parish) of a proportionate

share of our treasure (financial resources). The following is a comprehensive description of the

program:

Weekend #1 Pastor Introduction

The program is introduced on the first weekend with a homily presentation by the pastor at

all Masses. The pastor's presentation is general and emphasizes themes of stewardship such as

gratitude, sharing and accountability. This is an opportunity for the pastor to call parishioners to a

greater awareness of the need for their participation in all areas of parish life, including the financial

support of the parish. The homily becomes specific when the pastor explains the financial state of

the parish. In this context, the relationship between the weekly Offertory collection and the

operating budget of the parish is detailed.

The following week all registered parishioners receive a personalized letter from the pastor,

restating the themes of his homily, with a special request for new, renewed and/or increased financial

support (the gift of one’s treasure) through the Sunday offertory collection. The mailing can be

segmented if you wish into various parishioner groups (regular and non-regular contributors, school

families and parents of children enrolled in religious education classes, for example). The segmented

letters have a specific request for participation and support depending on the targeted audience and

may indicate a parishioner's record of giving through the offertory collection for a certain period of

time.

Weekend #2 Lay Witness Talks

On the second weekend parishioners give a witness talk about their involvement in the

parish and how they have come to a greater understanding of stewardship and the importance of

giving back to God through the gift of their time, talent and treasure. Speakers might be identifiable

parish leaders, school families and/or a long-time member of the parish–a parishioner who lives

his/her faith commitment and can motivate others to become involved in parish life. Lay witnesses

understand the concepts of gratitude, sharing, accountability and making a return with increase to

God.

Lay witnesses might explain how the parish meets the varied needs of its members through

its varied ministries and programs (liturgy, the sacraments, school and religious education for kids

and adults, etc.), and then explain how these services are supported through weekly donations

received through the Sunday offertory collection.

During the second week, parishioners receive another letter from the pastor that reiterates

those ideas expressed at all the Masses the previous weekend. This letter can include a copy of the

witness talk, or a special guide for parishioners to use to determine regular ongoing offertory

support. A commitment card and return envelope is enclosed in this mailing. As part of the letter, the

pastor asks that parishioners make a faith commitment of their financial support to the parish by

completing the commitment card and returning it to the rectory in the envelope provided.

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Weekend #3 Commitment Weekend

On the third weekend, the celebrant recaps many of the themes of the previous two

weekends and thanks those who have already returned their commitment card to the rectory,

making an outward commitment of their support to the parish. Time is then made available after

the homily for those others who have not already done so to complete their commitment card and

place it in the collection basket if they wish.

Program Follow-Up

A month or so following the stewardship of treasure campaign has been initiated, the

pastor sends a personalized thank you letter to those parishioners who completed and returned a

commitment card. A mailing can also be developed for those individuals who did not return a

commitment card. The pastor may ask again for the gift of their financial support and include

information about the program's success. All commitment cards should be recorded and filed for

follow-up later in the year.

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Diocese of Joliet Planned Parish Offering Logistics Mailing Company Requirements

Please submit five weeks in advance of program start date:

1. Your letters separated into the segmentations (both Week 1 and Week 2)

2. The data in ASCII, Excel or comma delimited format separated into

segmentations with the appropriate extractions. The extracted data should include

Mailing Name (i.e. Mr. and Mrs. John Smith), Mailing Address, City, State, Zip and

Salutation (i.e. John and Patty). Please note: some parishioners may fall in a few of

the extracted categories; be certain that parishioners are not receiving two letters

each week. Decide which extraction takes precedence. For example, some parishes

extract school parents and major donors and families could fall under both

categories. Decide which is primary and extract accordingly.

3. E-mail print ready pdfs of your letterhead and #10 envelope along with a scanned

copy of the Pastor’s signature

4. Your letters should initially be sent to the Development and

Stewardship Office (tbrandolino@dioceseofjoliet.org

or fax: 815-838-8108) six weeks in advance of your program, they will be

reviewed and sent back to you, and then the final letter(s) should be sent to the

mailing company.

Your data and letters can be sent electronically to Tim Jung at tjung@excelforms-graphics.com.

If you need any other information or have any questions, please contact:

Excel Forms & Graphics, Inc.

2410 S. River Road

Des Plaines, IL 60018

(847) 827-9700 or (800) 736-8459 (voice)

(847) 827-9702 (fax)

Please contact the Office of Development and Stewardship at (815) 838-8515 or

tbrandolino@dioceseofjoliet.org with questions.

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DIOCESE OF JOLIET Planned Parish Offering Program

Week I

Introduction of the planned offering program. The homily emphasizes the themes of

stewardship: gratitude, sharing and accountability. This is an opportunity to call parishioners to a

greater awareness of the need for participation in all areas of parish life. In addition to encouraging

the sharing of one's time and talent through the various ministries (possibly recognize those at Mass

who volunteer with the different commissions and ministries), the financial state of the parish should

also be communicated. This can be a "State of the Parish" address and Stewardship Reporting with a

summary included in the bulletin or mailed with the first parishioner letter the following Monday.

(Please see Appendix III for suggested homily talking points).

The parishioner letter should recap what was communicated in the homily–the overall

stewardship theme and the importance of sharing of one's blessings. The parishioner database should

be segmented, with a personalized letter sent to each parishioner.

Suggested Bulletin Insert and/or Pulpit Announcement:

As we begin our Planned Parish Offering Program we are asked to reflect on God's blessings

in our lives and also to commit to share of these financial blessings as a way to express our love for

God and for others. During this next week you will receive a letter inviting you to reflect on your

blessings, of which I hope this parish, your parish is included. Please respond lovingly and

generously, as you are able, giving from your first fruits in gratitude to God.

Prayer:

For a greater spirit of true, selfless generosity in the way of Christ, as individual stewards

and as faith community, we pray ....

Week II

Lay witnesses are encouraged to speak the second weekend of the program. Lay Witnesses

should communicate their understanding of stewardship and the importance of sharing their time,

talent and treasure in thanksgiving for the blessings shared with them. Witnesses may explain how

the parish meets the various needs of its members through the plethora of ministries at the parish,

and also explain that these ministries are supported through the offertory collection.

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Those asked to speak should understand the Christian stewardship concepts of gratitude, sharing,

accountability and making a return with increase to God. Speakers might be identifiable parish

leaders, school families and/or a longtime member of the parish — parishioners who live their

faith commitment and can motivate others to get involved in parish life.

A second letter is mailed to parishioners the following Monday. This letter

reiterates the ideas expressed by lay witnesses and is also plea for support. A commitment

card is also included. These will also be made available in the church pews.

Bulletin Insert and/or Pulpit Announcement:

A second letter will be mailed to you this week inviting you to prayerfully

consider your financial giving to our parish. Your donations help us to serve you and

others in our community. As your pastor, I hope that you will be open to this letter, pray

about what God is asking of you, and respond accordingly.

Or

Our Planned Parish Offering Program is one very important way to express our self-giving

for the good of others and for God's greater glory. This Program will conclude next

weekend with Commitment Sunday. This week, each registered household will receive a

summary letter and Declaration of Intention Card in next Sunday's offertory collection.

Please pray about this and return your Intention Card in next Sunday's offertory collection.

Your donation aids the parish in forecasting revenue for the next year. Please reflect on

your spending priorities, consider where our parish is currently placed within them, and

prayerfully consider making a planned, proportionate and sacrificial gift to our offertory

program.

Prayer:

For a greater readiness to respond generously in faith and in love as the people of

PARISH NAME faith community, we pray ...

COMMITMENT SUNDAY

The celebrant recaps the stewardship themes expressed in the previous two

weekends and thanks those who have returned their commitment cards – an outward sign of

their support of the parish. Time is made after the homily for persons to complete a

commitment card if they have not already done so and return it in the offertory collection.

Cards and pencils should be made available in the pews.

(Please see Appendix IV for suggested homily talking points).

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Bulletin Insert and/or Pulpit Announcement:

Giving to our Planned Parish Offering Program is one way to give back to God, to say

thank you for all with which we have been blessed. To all of those who have responded,

thank you.

Prayer:(Select one)

For a greater willingness to be faithful stewards, giving in proportion to how we

have been blessed by God, we pray…

That the gifts we are about to give to the offertory collection truly reflect a

meaningful expression of our gratitude to God for God's blessings in our lives, we pray…

That the contributions that we are about to share with our family of faith

demonstrate an appropriate measure of appreciation for all the goodness in our lives, we

pray…

That like the gifts that we bring to the altar, may those we collect in our offertory

baskets represent the finest expression of sacrifice we can give, we pray…

May God look favorably upon our use of all the gifts God has given us as we share

them with our worship community, we pray…

And as our offertory is taken up, may the contributions included in this week's

collection reflect our desire to truly share thoughtful and proportionate gifts in response to

the many blessings God has so generously and consistently bestowed on us, we pray… .

OFFERTORY OF THE MASS

The message of stewardship as a life of discipleship is central to the Eucharist and is engrained in

scripture. According to early Church documents, the offertory collection is an important part of the

Mass and therefore collections must not be disguised or hurried along. Studies show the passing of

the basket from one person to the next, with each person actually touching it, is the most effective

invitation to respond with a gift.

The Collection basket holds the gifts of the congregation, the fruits of their work; completely

connecting each individual’s lives, prayers, faith, love, sacrifice and worship. The offerings should

be treated as our collective sacrificial offerings in union with Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. Our

offering of the first fruits of bread and wine and treasure is presented. The priest should receive

them with gratitude, bless them with reverence and present them to God with respect.

Offertory Suggestions:

Place a large basket wrapped in a bow at the front of the altar. Invite youth to leave their pews and

place their offering in the basket. Pass the basket throughout the congregation and combine this

with the offering on the altar.

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Invite all individuals to the altar to place their offering.

Ask parishioners to place an (anonymous) sealed note of "What I've Done for God" this week in

the offertory-a symbol of the importance of sharing all of ourselves. If fitting, publish some in the

bulletin.

PROGRAM FOLLOW-UP

The parish should mail a thank you letter to those who have made a stewardship

commitment. Ideally, this letter should be mailed within one week of receiving the

commitment and should state the nature of the commitment. The reasons for this are

twofold: to express appreciation and also to subtly encourage follow-through on the

commitment. Commitments should be immediately entered in your database and should

also be kept on file. (Please see Appendix V for a sample letter).

Prayer:

For a greater commitment by each of us as part of the parish community of

PARISH NAME to care for the poor and for those in need, we pray ....

FOLLOW-UP ALTAR OR BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Bulletin and/or Altar Announcement:

Our Planned Parish Offering Program enables us to continue our ministries at

PARISH NAME and outreach to those within our local and greater Church. Thank you to

those who have responded. If you have not yet been able to respond, I invite you to do so.

Extra Intention Cards are available at the back of the Church. Cards may be returned to the

rectory or to an usher after Mass.

If letter being mailed home:

Follow-up letters to those who have not yet responded to the Offertory Program

will be mailed this week. If you have not yet made your commitment, please complete the

card that will be enclosed and return it promptly.

As commitment cards are returned, a thank you letter should immediately be sent to

those making an offertory commitment. This letter should include the amount the

parishioner has committed to give over the course of the next year, and whether their

offering will be paid weekly or monthly.

Approximately one month after the offertory program ends, a letter can also be

mailed to those who have not made a commitment. This letter can highlight the importance

of Christian stewardship and monetary investment in the parish. You can include

information about the program's success, the tangible results for the parish, and the

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importance of the intangible/non-quantifiable results for those who give of themselves

prayerfully and sacrificially. (Please see Appendix VII for a sample letter).

Reporting

A Sample Weekly Stewardship Bulletin Insert:

Rooted in Faith- Grounded in Love-Alive With the Spirit

Stewardship-The Way to Live

This week's Stewardship Salute:

In gratitude for God's gifts of time and talent to us, we gratefully

acknowledge and salute:

Maria Gonzalez

Who brings the Eucharist and our community's prayers to the homebound and

hospitalized. Thank you Maria!

Parish Sacrificial Giving Summary

Regular Sunday Offertory

YeartoDateInformation1/1/04-present: Goal:

Amount Collected: Amount

short/ahead of goal:

Weekly Information:

Last week's Sunday Offertory: Amount

Budgeted:

Quarterly Reporting

Many successful stewardship parishes provide their parishioners with

personalized quarterly stewardship reports. The Quarterly Report gives a statement of

financial gifts and reminds parishioners of parish involvement.

Every registered parish household should receive the Quarterly Report, although it

is not advisable to send it to newly registered families, those temporarily away, or those

who asked not to receive the report. (Please see Appendix I for sample Report)

Quarterly reports are beneficial in many ways:

Increase Average Donation- It has been proven in thousands of parishes throughout the

country that parishes providing quarterly stewardship reports to parish families experience

a significant increase in their offertory collection.

Absenteeism- Research shows that more than one-half of registered parishioners are absent

from Mass most weekends. This means that parishes that only provide a communication

system of receiving and tracking gifts from the people who are in attendance at Mass are

under-utilizing potential resources. Offering a credit card option of giving may be one way

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to help parishioners give consistently; a Quarterly Report may also help gradually bring

parishioners to a practice of giving consistently.

Track Offertory Gifts- People want to fulfill their stewardship intention but sometimes

lose track of their progress. Parishioners will generally “get back on track” if a parish

initiates the conversation. Many parishioners think no one has noticed, or cares, that they

have fallen behind. Some may conclude that an offertory gift makes little difference. A

gentle reminder may encourage parishioners who have fallen behind to resume their

offertory giving.

Convey Appreciation- The Quarterly Report also offers the parish a chance to affirm and

show appreciation for their parishioners' generosity.

Provide Financial Update- Parishioners oftentimes are unaware of the parish's financial

status. When appropriate, a parish status report could accompany the personal stewardship

Quarterly Report.

Share Ministry Success- Inform parishioners about how the parish ministries are

fulfilling the work of the Church through the generosity of time and talent.

Accountability- People benefit and respond to instruments of accountability. This

Quarterly Report is a tool that helps parishioners respond to the stewardship message of

using our gifts in a responsible way.

Sample Announcements week before quarterly reminders are to be mailed:

Bulletin Announcement:

This week, we will mail quarterly Offertory reminders to all parishioners who have made a

commitment to the Parish Offering Program. These are reminders, not bills. There will be no

"amount due" indicated anywhere on the reminder.

Many of our parishioners are away from the parish on a number of weekends each year. This

can result in a substantial deficit in our Offertory collections. For example, if 100 families, who each

give $15, are away on a given weekend, that is a $1500 loss. That alone would be a problem; when it

happens over many weekends, it becomes a serious concern. For this reason, parish leadership felt

that it was important to keep parishioners aware of how they are doing on their commitments.

If you have a shortfall, any effort to make up some or all of this will be greatly appreciated. If you

find the commitment that you made is no longer appropriate, please call in the

parish office at and adjust your commitment.

Pulpit Announcement

This week we will be mailing quarterly reminders to those who participated in our Offertory

Program. These are only reminders-not bills. More information is available in the bulletin.

(Please see Appendix VII for sample Quarterly Reminder)

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Appendix I

Sample Parish Stewardship Report

Our Parish Population:

1035 households, 3045 individuals

76 new registrants in the past year

Sacramental Preparation Programs:

48 parents prepared by 8 Baptism Team Members

7 catechumens and 12 candidates prepared by 10 team members in RCIA

132 confirmation candidates by 10 catechists and 11 facilitators, administered by 9

confirmation core team members

78 second graders prepared for First Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist by 16 people

22 couples prepared for marriage in a Pre-Cana Day by couples

Sacraments Celebrated

525 Masses

44 Funerals

72 Baptisms

132 Confirmations

78 First Eucharists

1 Vocation to the Priesthood/ Religious Life

78 First Reconciliations

23 Marriages

125 Anointings of the Sick

Education and Faith Formation Programs

1100 students (Pre-K -8) taught by 22 teachers and 20 aides

268 religious education students (Grades 1-8) taught weekly by 11 religious ed teachers

65 students (Grades K-4) met weekly for Children's Liturgy of the Word led by 8 catechists

83 Vacation Bible School students taught for a week

6 Prayer Groups with 48 participants met and prayed monthly

Liturgy Assistance

21 Lectors

36 Altar Servers

28 Ushers

48 Choir Members

12 Cantors

32 Eucharistic Ministers

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Parish Outreach

76 home visits to new parishioners

41 home visits to the homebound and nursing homes

2,640 service hours performed by 132 confirmation candidates

30 boys and 20 girls were led by 20 leaders in scouting programs

650 students participated in school sports, 21 coaches

Administrative Programs

Pastoral Council met monthly with 9 parishioners and 2 staff members

Finance Council met monthly with 8 parishioners

Adapted from Today's Parish (January 1995) pp. 34-35.

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Declaration of Intention Cards

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Appendix III

The Lay Witness Talk

1. Introduce yourself

Give a description of your family, the number of years in the parish, etc.

2. Properly define Christian stewardship.

Stewardship is a response one makes in gratitude for what has been granted us.

Stewardship is an intentional, planned, proportionate giving of our time, talent and

treasure. Stewardship: 1) asks us that we help each other recognize the gifts and talents

with which God has blessed us and the ways which we have been blessed by the gifts

and talents of others 2) invites us to help discern, call forth and continually encourage

one another to use the gifts and talents with which God has blessed us according to

God's will and 3) challenges us to share our time, our talent and our treasure beyond

what we believe we can do so we can grow, individually and collectively, as God

desires.

3. Discuss how you began practicing stewardship.

When did you first become aware of this way of living? What did you think when you

first heard about it? What happened in your life to cause you to make changes in the

sharing of your blessings?

4. Share the effects of living stewardship.

How has practicing stewardship affected your life? Your faith life? The way you live in

the world? Talk about your own growth as a giver, the challenges it presented, and the

benefits and blessings that have resulted.

5. Invite parishioners into this way of living.

Ask parishioners to reflect upon God's multiple gifts in their lives and invite them to share

of their time, talent and treasure as a way of thanking God for their abundance.

Lay Witness Do's:

1. Do emphasize that everything in life is a gift from God.

2. Do ask people to reflect upon what is good in their lives and invite them to reflect

on how they thank God for this goodness.

3. Do talk about giving a grateful share of time, talent and treasure. Stress that a

grateful share is the first share, the "first fruits" not what is left over.

4. Do present stewardship as a total way of Christian life--a way we make choices, a

way we live every day in our lives.

5. Do talk about the importance of planning. Explain that financial stewardship

means making a commitment to give a definite percentage on a regular basis, not

just once in a while. Encourage people to know what percentage they currently

give to God.

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6. Do share your struggles with stewardship as well as your triumphs. People will

appreciate your honesty and will be more open to your message if they can identify

with you.

7. Do be well prepared.

8. Do have your talk reviewed by someone you trust before you give it.

Lay Witness Talk “Don'ts”:

1. Do not talk in “bargaining” terms ("I gave this and God gave me this in return.")

2. Stress church needs or budgets. Stewardship is about our need to give back, not the

parish's need for "things."

3. Talk in dollar or time amounts. "If everyone could give $10 a week." Or, "we need

$2 more a week from everyone." Or "you need to give your fair share." Let people

decide for themselves what is a grateful and proportionate gift.

4. Don't stress the 10% tithe as a strict and intimidating obligation. As most Catholics

give 1.2% of their income to the Church, jumping to 1 0% may seem, and very well

may be, unrealistic. Only the individual parishioner can decide for him or herself

what is a planned, proportionate and sacrificial gift.

5. Don't use threats of possible consequences stemming from the failure to give: "We

won't be able to heat or air condition the church." Or, "we'll have to close the

school." .

6. Suggest that stewardship is mandatory or an obligation.

Lay Witness Talk Preparation Suggestions

An important part of people's acceptance of the concept of stewardship is the personal

witness and individual testimony you provide with your presence and the way you present

your stewardship journey. The following are suggestions in preparing your comments:

1. Pray. Spend time talking and listening to God. Reflect on the many blessings you

have received. Think about where you are on your financial stewardship journey.

Allow the Spirit to guide your words as you begin to prepare to share your journey.

2. Prepare your talk so you are comfortable with it. Use your own style, wording and

delivery. Write out your talk using numbered or bulleted lists rather than long sentences

so it is easier for you to make eye contact with your audience. Use a font size that is

easy to see-at least 12 or 14 and consider double spacing.

3. It is best to rehearse your talk aloud. If you just practiced reading it silently, you won't

have the same effect. If it is possible, practice it in the church when no one is there

using the sound system. Be comfortable enough with your material so that you can look

up from your notes and make eye contact. In a large church, remember to tum to the

sides occasionally to include everyone.

4. Be sincere, enthusiastic and friendly. It is more important to be comfortable and

share your experience from the heart than to be eloquent.

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Presentation Day Suggestions:

1. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled mass time.

2. Identify yourself to the celebrant before the liturgy begins. Be sure to confirm any

logistics such as:

a). From where will you be speaking?

b). Where will you sit-near the altar, in a front pew, on the altar?

c). Will you process in with the celebrant and altar servers, etc.?

3. Speak slowly, loudly and clearly. It is important that your message is understood.

4. Be prepared and brief your talk should be no more than 8 minutes.

5. Dress appropriately.

6. Greet people after Mass at the back of church. This is an opportunity to talk

informally with parishioners who may want to meet you.

A Different Twist on the Lay Witness Talk

In some parishes where lay witnessing has been happening for years, there may be some

feeling of repetitiveness. If so, be creative, but be certain the message is heard. Here are

some suggestions:

Couple Witnessing

Have a husband and wife share the speaking. They can discuss how together, as a family,

they have come to share of their resources more fully.

Group Witnessing

Have a variety of parishioners come forward to present a quick thought or witness on

giving. These parishioners would be assigned to give personal or scriptural reflection and

would invite the congregation into this way of living. One person, serving as the

coordinator of the group, would explain what you are going to do and would end the

presentation with a broader invitation.

Dramatization

A mini-play could catch attention. Some suggestions are:

-One parishioner explaining to a new or skeptical parishioner what stewardship means

personally and for the parish.

- A staged radio or television interview about stewardship.

- Children (real or adults acting like children) explaining stewardship as if through

the eyes of kids commenting on their parents' stewardship.

- A saint-possibly the parish patron saint—returned to earth to try to understand our

modern day needs and wants vs. stewardship.

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Sample Lay Witness Talk:

Introduction:

Good morning. My name is Steve Smith and I am here to talk to you for just a few minutes

about stewardship.

Stewardship, as you know, is giving some of your time, talent and treasure back to God in

appreciation for all that God has given to you. I want to share with you my personal

experience in trying to be a steward in this parish.

Personalization:

I am thankful to both God and to our parish for allowing me the opportunity to participate

as an active member in this great parish of ours. I have worked with many of you with our

children's sport programs and our parish picnics. When I first came to this parish I

wasn't aware of how I would participate in this great community that many of you and

those who came before us have built. At our first parents' meeting I took a daring step and

raised my hand and said, "Sure, I'll get involved. What do you want me to do?"

Boy, did my life change! I began associating names with those faces I would see at Mass

each week. Parish was no longer a bunch of strangers, but a group of friends, family.

After organization meetings I would find myself energized and eager to attend the next

meeting. I can't begin to tell you the joy and happiness I have received as member actively

contributing and working in this parish. My involvement provided me with a sense of

belonging. Accomplishments were being made and I was participating.

Scripture:

I also discovered that it was true what Jesus told us in Matthew 6:21- "For where your

treasure is, there also will your heart be.” In keeping with God's command to us to give

back our first fruits, my wife and I have made a commitment to give a percentage of our

income every month to the Church before we do anything else. This isn't always easy, but

it is always very gratifying to know that we are doing the right thing and we are helping

our parish to stay strong. And I can tell you that somehow God has provided for us and

our heart truly is in our parish and that is a joyful thing.

Detail:

I don't tell you all of this to brag about what I have done, but rather to encourage you, too,

to know the joy and happiness that my family and I have found by giving of ourselves and

our resources to our parish. This weekend after all of our Masses we are having our

Ministry Fair. I encourage you to stop by and take a few minutes to see all that is

happening in our parish. Pick up a copy of our Time and Talent catalog. Can you give the

parish some of your time? Do you have a special talent you could share? The catalog lists

all parish organizations- I bet you will find an organization that will be a good fit in which

to share your time and talent. Does your financial support of this parish truly reflect all of

the blessings God has given to you? I promise that you will see that your gifts of treasure

to this parish help us to do God's work.

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Later this week/month you will receive a letter from PASTOR NAME, and an intention

card in the mail (hold up Declaration of Intention). I encourage you to pray about your gift

of treasure to the parish. Does your financial support of our parish reflect the myriads of

ways in which you have been blessed? This intention card is very important because it will

help us plan for our future needs and activities.

Invitation:

I encourage you-from my own personal experience- don't be afraid to get involved. Good

things happen when you share of yourself; you will know the deep joy that comes from

being a part of God 's work here on earth.

In closing, I leave you with this thought on gratitude by Thomas Merton.

"To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything he has given us—and He has

given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence

is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes

nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, and is constantly awakening to new wonder

and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not

by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference."

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Sample Couple Lay Witness Nancy and Michael Brown, St. Joseph Parish

Father has asked us to respond to three questions: How are you involved? Why is stewardship important to you? How has it changed your lives?

Nancy: Good morning ... I'd like to begin by saying that right now we'd rather be sitting out there next to you listening to a witness talk instead of up here giving one. When we were asked to do this, we initially said "let us think about this for a minute ... ah ... NOOOO." But as we continued to think about it, we decided that it's important for all of us to share our faith journey with each other so here we are.

The first question is how are we involved? Michael and I are thankful for the opportunity to be involved in a number of things. Together, we're active in the Family Ministry as marriage preparation facilitators for Focus and Precana. We're site managers at the PADs shelter and we work with the 7th graders at St. Joes and other area schools to help them understand more about what it feels like to be homeless. And recently we've been working with Catholic Relief Services on a shelter for street children in Cuzco, Peru.

We also try to make a difference individually: Michael is very active with Catholic Charities and he serves on the Finance Committee and the Stewardship Committee at St. Joes. I'm a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children and I'm also a food coordinator for the PADS site.

Michael: So that's how we are involved. The 2nd question that Father asked us to address is WHY we are involved?" and for us there are 3 reasons.

Our first reason is gratitude and we have a long list of blessings to count: We are grateful for our family, we are thankful to be part of our parish and it's important to say that we are grateful and proud to be Catholic.

Our second reason is that it just feels good and there doesn't seem to be any downside. Our volunteer work feels purposeful and it's a constant source of learning, peace and inspiration.

Our third reason comes from an awakening and a difficult question that we ask ourselves which is: "Just what did Jesus mean when he said that loving our neighbor is not only important, but it's one of the two great commandments?" Somehow, it seems like this is more than just a suggestion. So part of our ongoing struggle is to really understand how we can be effective disciples. This is hard because we are blessed with abundance and we are surrounded by neighbors in need. From our work with Catholic Charities we know that 1 in every 6 children in Illinois goes to bed hungry. There is no simple answer but in our hearts we know that we need to do our best to make a difference.

At this point we'd like to back up and share a little about the experiences that have shaped our thinking and how we got involved and we'll start with treasure. The reality is that when talk about Stewardship we think that it's about money. What's become clear to the two of us is that the treasure only one piece in a 3 part puzzle. The other parts are equally essential elements which we will get to in a moment.

Here is our thinking about Stewardship of Treasure. 20 years ago we lived in Minneapolis and we heard a witness talk from a couple who were members of our parish. At a Sunday Mass they said that they had made a decision to give a fixed % of their income to our church and other charities and they felt that it simplified their lives and provided them with a sense of freedom. It was the start of our plan for giving. After we heard them speak, we asked ourselves 'what % of our income did we give to our parish and other charities?' We then sorted out what felt right. We stared out small with an aspiration that eventually it would be 10%.

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We feel that no one can tell us what's right for us to give because we all have different life circumstances. The couple in Minneapolis didn't try to give us the answers they just gave us the right questions and it was up to us to reconcile:

• What matters most to us? (What do we value?) • What are our gifts? • How will we share them?

We now do this every year. The process has worked because it produces clarity

Nancy: In some ways the treasure question was simpler for us to solve than the time and talent questions. I'd like to share a bit of my personal stewardship journey with you. This is the "Reader's Digest" condensed version of the last 30 years. Early in our marriage we moved to Madison, Wisconsin. Soon after we registered at the local church, I received a call from the Religious Ed Director asking if I would teach a 2nd grade class. I immediately said ... ah ... no. Do you see a pattern here? The "NO" jumps out of my mouth so quickly when I 'm asked to come out of my comfort zone. But this Religious Ed Director convinced me that I could do this. She caught me at a very vulnerable moment. I was new to the area, pregnant with our first child, constantly fighting morning sickness and I had no friends. So I was ripe for the picking and she grabbed me. I didn't realize it at the time but God was coming after me trying to get me to notice Him.

Teaching this class opened a whole new world to me. I was raised in a non-practicing Catholic family. We were the Christmas and Easter people so I was learning basic Catholic concepts while I was teaching. Listening to those 7 and 8 year old children speak lovingly of Jesus and God's love for them was a big awakening for me. As I would tell the children how special they were, how much Jesus loved them, how God loved them before they were even born I began to recognize that I was blessed with the incredible dignity of being called a child of God. The light bulbs started going off in my head and I began to put this puzzle together.

The second part of my story deals with Service. I love the song "The Summons." Our choir sings this frequently and it really speaks to me. One verse calls us to use the faith we've found to reshape the world around. Use the faith we've found to reshape the world around? Sometimes it takes a bit of reflection to figure out how to do that! So, I have gifts. I know that... someone's been telling me this all my life; my parents, teachers, employers... But at some point I had to ask myself, "How do I discover what my gifts are? How am I supposed to serve in the body of Christ?" If I spend too much time trying to analyze this I might become paralyzed with fear. There's a big world out there with plenty of needs, so where do I fit in? The reality is that most people involved in a ministry start out volunteering in a small way. We usually don't just jump in with both feet. And I didn't either.

I started working with the homeless 25 years ago. Our parish provided dinner one night a month for a soup kitchen in Minneapolis and asked for volunteers to cook a turkey. I signed up, feeling I could do that. It was just one turkey... I could handle a turkey.

So what was my gift? Cooking a turkey is a very practical thing and although it benefited people materially, it certainly didn't seem very spiritual. But what made this service “spiritual” was that it was inspired and directed by the Holy Spirit. He summoned and I followed. I have to admit that I didn't understand this right away and it took me' a while to recognize my gift of service to the homeless but I never would have experienced it if I hadn't plunged in and cooked that first turkey.

Michael: My story is I have spent a good portion of my adult life as a complacent Catholic. My real start followed Nancy's lead. I was inspired by her commitment to Christian Service. I have also found that offering my time and talent has helped me learn some things that I have needed to know.

There are many examples but one stands out. We were working in the PADs shelter on a Saturday night and I saw a man who seemed to be studying. I sat down beside him and asked if I could help.

23

He said his name was Robert and that he had just had a good job interview and there was a job for him if he could pass a test. He had some sample questions to help him prepare but he said that he didn't understand graphs and he said I can't do this.

I spent the next hour helping but mostly listening to his story. He said that his life was filled with

bad luck but mostly bad choices and there were things in his past that were unforgivable. I shared

with him our belief that we can't fix from today back, we can only look forward and that's what a

loving and forgiving God wants us to do. We finished our discussion of graphs and then Nancy and I

went home.

The following week I got a letter from Robert. He thanked me for the TIME. And it struck me that it

was just a little time but doing a little thing can make a big difference. It also struck me that I

thought that I was helping Robert but he was actually helping me understand that part of my

journey is just to be present, to listen and possibly provide a little hope .... In the letter he also said

that he got the job.

Nancy: So our bottom line is this .. . Stewardship is important to us for the following reasons:

• Because we are grateful for our blessings and it seems like the more we do the happier we

become.

• Because we believe that we are called to love our neighbor, whether it's the person next to

us in the pew or a child in Tanzania.

• Because we believe that we are all, everyone sitting here today, we are all the hands and

feet of Jesus.

And because we believe that we just have to do our best and trust in God to do the rest.

Michael: Our conclusion is that Stewardship has in many ways changed our lives. We both believe

that we receive more than we give. Our stewardship of treasure is an important acknowledgement of

God's gifts to us and at the same time Nancy and I need to be involved in ministries that will

bring us peace and learning and purpose.

So, we will close with gratitude: We are thankful for our wonderful priests who continue to

encourage us to think about our spiritual growth and the many opportunities our parish offers to

challenge us to come out of our comfort zone. We are grateful for St. Joe's involvement in CRHP

and the renewal it has brought to our faith journey and we are grateful for your kindness and

compassion.

Thank you and God Bless You!

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Appendix IV

Homily Talking Points

Week I

Good morning/afternoon/evening.

One of my responsibilities as pastor of PARISH NAME is to be a good steward of our

parish, to responsibly administrate all that needs tending to (with the help of dedicated staff

and volunteers of course), while also aiding in the ministerial needs of the parish-and

that, honestly, is what I am most comfortable with. However, by virtue of my position and

because of the reality of salaries that need to be paid, lights that need to be on and doors

that need to be open to you and to anyone in our neighborhood that longs to find solace, or

maybe just a bite to eat, I must share with you our financial situation and invite you to

support our Planned Offering Program.

1). Share a stewardship report (See Appendix 1)

2). Share fiscal report and mention either that this is 1) included in the bulletin or 2)

will be mailed home.

Our financial resources, combined with the talents and energies of numerous volunteers,

allow PARISH NAME to be a vibrant faith community where I hope you feel nurtured and

spiritually supported during your life's journey. But most things that happen here do

require money. I hope you will listen closely the next few weeks as some of your

parishioners share their story of why PARISH NAME is an integral part of their lives. I

hope, too, that you will prayerfully reflect upon the letters you will receive offering an

overview of our financial situation, our successes, and my invitation to you to commit to

financially supporting your parish in a planned, proportionate and sacrificial way. Please

consider how God has blessed you. Also consider how your parish has blessed you. And

please pray the next few weeks for the success of our planned offering program.

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Appendix V

Week III - Commitment Sunday

Today we celebrate Commitment Sunday, the culmination of our Planned Offering

Program. Though this is the end of the formalities of this program—until next year—this is

truly just the beginning. You have heard from your peers and me about the financial needs

of PARISH NAME. NAMES OF LAY WITNESSES have also shared what our faith

community means to them. I hope that you have had a chance to reflect these last few

weeks on what your faith means to you, what your parish means to you, and how God has

blessed you. If we really think about it, we each are amazingly blessed .... We just need to

take the time in prayer and reflection to think about these blessings and thank the Giver of

these blessings.

One way to show our gratitude to God is to share some of our gifts. Ideally, we invest in

what we believe in. We volunteer. We financially support. I hope that you believe in

PARISH NAME and believe in what our parish does for you and for our community. I

hope you find that this is a place you want to invest in.

You each received a Declaration of Intention in the mail this past week. If, by chance, you

forgot your card, please take one from the pew, fill it out, place it in today's offertory

collection or return it to the rectory at your earliest convenience. You may have noticed on

the card a giving guide noting your annual salary or hourly wage and what is a 1 %-1 0%

gift of that amount. Most Catholics give 1.2% of their income to their Church. I wonder

where God rates in relation to the entire myriad of ways we spend our money.

Today I drop my Declaration of Intention in the Offertory Collection. I hope you will do

the same. Please be assured that all of the money that you donate to our parish will be used

for the parish.

Thank you for your presence in our faith community and thank you for all you do to bring

Christ to others through your own life and the ways in which you share of yourself and

your resources—however you are able.

Thank You God.

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Appendix VI

Thank You Letter

(This letter should be mailed within two weeks of commitment Sunday).

Parishioner Name

Mailing Address

City, State Zip

Dear Salutation:

Thank you for returning your Declaration of Intention Card for our parish's offertory collection.

Your participation in our parish's financial stewardship effort gives witness to your faith and your

commitment to our PARlSH NAME faith community.

You noted on your Declaration of Intention a weekly/monthly commitment of $ .

Thank you. I assure you that I, and the parish lay leaders will do our utmost to use your offerings

wisely for the ultimate benefit of building God's kingdom.

We are a gifted parish community filled with many parishioners willing to share of themselves

and their blessings. Your sharing of a portion of that which God has blessed you is appreciated.

May you continue to be blessed abundantly.

Sincerely,

Pastor Name

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Appendix VII

Follow-Up Letter

Date

Parishioner(s) Name

Address

City, State Zip

Dear Salutation:

Over the last few weeks PARISH NAME has conducted a Planned Parish Offering Program.

This program's purpose is to increase offertory donations by parishioners while encouraging

individual reflection on the abundance of blessings giving by our generous God. To date,

parishioners have returned their Declaration of Intention.

Our records indicate that we have not yet received your Intention card. In an effort to

receive a response from each parishioner, I have enclosed another card.

When I think about the abundance of God-given blessings in my life, sharing a portion of

my financial resources (made possible to be earned by the talents granted me by God) is a

natural response. I hope you will find this is the case for you as well.

Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.

Sincerely,

Pastor

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Appendix VIII

Quarterly Reminder

(This letter should be sent 13 weeks after Commitment Sunday and should be sent each quarter

until the next Planned Offering Program).

Dear Parishioner:

Thank you for your commitment to PARISH NAME Planned Offering Program. Your financial

support will enable our parish in continuing its ministries while aiding in future planning.

This letter serves as a quarterly reminder of your commitment.

For the past l3 weeks,

Your new parish offertory commitment, based upon your Declaration of Intention totaled:

$ .

Your actual parish offertory contributions totaled: $ .

If you have any questions about this report, please feel free to call at

the parish office ( ) .

Thank you for sharing of your blessings.

Sincerely,

Pastor Name

Please include some things that have happened in this first quarter since your

Offering Program that were made possible through parish offertory donations.

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Appendix IX

Diocese of Joliet Planned Parish Offertory Program Evaluation

I). The program was clearly explained and any clarification that was needed was answered in a

timely fashion. Yes or No.

2). The mailing company was efficient and easy to work with. Yes or No.

3). The letters, homily talking points, prayers, and bulletin inserts were clear and effective.

Yes or No.

4). I would/would not use the services of the Department of Development and Stewardship for my

next Planned Offering Program. Please explain.

5). I offer the following recommendations to improve the Program and/or the services offered by

the Department of Development and Stewardship:

6). Other:

(Optional)

Name

Parish

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Planned Offering Renewal Evaluation In order to properly evaluate the success of your parish's Planned Parish Offering Program, the

Department of Stewardship and Development would like a comparison of collections five weeks

before and five weeks after the Program.

WEEK CASH CHECK/

DEBIT

ENVELOPE TOTAL INTENTION

CARDS

5 4 3 2 1 Commitment

Sunday

1 2 3 4 5

Average # donors 5 weeks prior to Commitment Sunday:

Average donated amount:

Average # donors 5 weeks after Commitment Sunday:

Average donated amount:

Percentage of Collection Increase:

If there are any factors that would have significantly positively or negatively affected your

collections, please explain:

Parish Name

Pastor Date

Business Manager

Please return this form to the

Office of Development and Stewardship

Blanchette Catholic Center

16555 Weber Road

Crest Hill, IL 60403 Fax: 815-838-8108

Phone 815-838-8515

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Parish Stewardship Self-Assessment

Parish Name: Date

Address:

Contact Information:

Parish Data (Last 3 Years) Year:

a) # Registered Families

b) # Parishioners Registered

c) # Envelopes Distributed

d) Average # Envelopes Received Weekly

e) # Parishioners Giving Electronically

f) Average # Envelopes Received Monthly

g) Average Total Weekly Mass Attendance

h) Annual Offertory Income

Year: Year:

Spiritual Indicators:

a) Describe program(s) for evangelizing non-practicing Catholics. How many parishioners are

actively involved?

b) Describe your RCIA program and level of participation.

c) Describe weekday Mass attendance.

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d) Describe religious education program offerings and participation.

Ministry Indicators:

a) Does the parish have a Pastoral/Parish Council? When was it formed? How is it organized? What

are its functions?

b) Does the parish have a Finance Council. When was it formed? How does it function?

c) Does the parish have a Stewardship Council/Committee? When was it formed? How does it

function?

d) Does the parish publish a ministry listing or booklet? Describe. Attach a copy.

e) Number of parish ministries . Attach a list.

33

f) Does the parish have a volunteer recognition event (annual dinner, etc.)? Describe.

g) Does the parish council recognize/thank key volunteers when their term of service ends? (Gifts

certificates, etc.) Describe.

h) Other Ministry Indicators

Financial Indicators

a) Using your parish financial software, please provide a detailed listing of total annual donation

amounts and the total number of donors who gave within the various giving ranges.

Total Annual Gift Totals

Example Statistical Giving Report

#Donors

$0-25 50

$26-100 34

$101-200 49

$201-300 67

$301-400 76

$401-500 42

$501-1000 24

$1001-2000 15

Etc. If available, please provide the report for the last three budget years.

b) Describe how it is determined how parishioners receive envelopes.

34

c) Do you offer an electronic giving option? Describe.

d) Is there an envelope program for children? Describe.

e) Pick three recent, normal Sunday collections (not special or Holy Days) and provide the

following information from the regular collection.

Weekend Collection Information Week 1 Week 2 Week 3

Envelopes in Collection

Total Amount in Envelopes

Total Amount Loose

Total Amount of Collection

Total # of Envelopes Containing

Amount Week 1 Week 2 Week 3

Less than $1.00

$1.01 - $3.00

$3.01 - $5.00

$5.01 - $7.00

$7.01-$10.00

$10.01 - $20.00

$20.01 - $50.00

More than $50.00

Denominations in Loose Collections

Total Loose Collection Week 1 Week 2 Week 3

Number of $1 Bills

Number of $5 Bills

Number of $10 bills

Number of $20 bills

Number of $50 bills

Number of $100 bills

Total coinage amount

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Stewardship-Focused Activities:

a). Does your parish publish financial reports to the entire parish on a monthly, quarterly or annual

basis? Describe. Attach a copy of a recent report.

b). Has your parish had a Ministry Fair in the past year. When? How many people attended? What

were the results? Please describe.

c) Has your parish held any special stewardship-oriented programs within the past year. Describe.

d) How are new parishioners welcomed?

e) When was the last homily that focused on time and talent? Describe.

f) When was the last homily that focused on sacrificial giving? Describe.

36

g) When was the last Lay Witness presentation on stewardship? Describe.

h) Do you have a parish newsletter other than a bulletin? Attach a copy.

i) Please provide any other information that may be useful to your assessment.

Office of Development and Stewardship

Diocese of Joliet

Blanchette Catholic Center

16555 Weber Road

Crest Hill, IL 60403

815-838-8515 Fax: 815-838-8108

www.dioceseofjoliet.org/development

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GENERAL New Parishioner - Within the past fiscal year

(Only 1 letter)

DATE

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Dear SALUTATION:

As a new member of the PARISH NAME parish family, I want to thank you for

registering in our Catholic community of faith. I hope you have found our parish to be

one that is welcoming and life-giving, offering you the spiritual nourishment you need as

a member of the Body of Christ to be Christ for others in your home, your workplace, the

community.

While the Church is important to many, it may be a source of alienation or hostility for

some; and others simply do not see the institutional Church as having any value in their

lives. Thank you for your faith and hope in our Church, and your commitment to our

parish. Please know that I, and the members of our parish staff, desire to help you grow

in faith, connect you to other parishioners, and aid you in making a contribution to the

world around you. As such, we invite you to complete the enclosed survey and return it

in the enclosed return envelope.

Please do not hesitate to let us know if there is anything we can do for you, a valued

member of our parish family.

I look forward to praying with you at Mass and socializing with you at our numerous

parish functions. Welcome!

Sincerely,

Pastor

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GENERAL- Week 1 All Parishioners EXCEPT Inactives and New Parishioners

DATE

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Dear SALUTATION:

PARISH NAME parishioners are abundantly blessed. We are a vibrant parish offering

valuable educational, liturgical and other ministerial services to members of our

community. We strive to meet the needs of our parish and do so through the exemplary

work of our teachers, lay and religious leaders, and volunteers. We are a blessed parish,

and I thank you for your presence in our worship community.

God has granted each of us unique gifts, graces, and resources that are to be shared

responsibly and wisely with others. We may be blessed financially, we may have time to

share, or we may have special abilities. Whatever our gifts, God calls us to be good

stewards of them, cognizant of the priority with which we use them and the measure of

gratitude in how we give them.

Last weekend I spoke about our parish's increased offertory appeal. The significance of

this appeal is twofold: 1) it allows us to be attentive to the gifts we have been granted,

and 2) it invites us to be thoughtful stewards of these gifts. Sharing our time through

prayer and talents through ministry are important ways to give back to God in gratitude.

I write to you today, and will continue to speak at Mass over the next few weeks, about

the importance of sharing your monetary resources to support our parish.

Church is the responsibility of all; we each are invited to think about our individual call

to serve and share. Please listen prayerfully over the next few weeks of our Planned

Offering Program to discern how God is calling you, as a member of PARISH NAME, to

share of your God-given blessings to ensure the mission of Christ's church and your

parish.

Sincerely,

Pastor

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Campaign Donor Week 2

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Dear SALUTATION:

Our Catholic Christian lives are a response to Jesus' call to follow and imitate his

example; stewardship is an essential element of Christian living. As Christians, we are

aware that all things and all beings are from God, and we are thankful for our gifts. At the

same time we realize that we have a responsibility to share these gifts in justice and love

with one another. This is what practicing stewardship means. Thank you for being a

steward of your faith, and of PARISH NAME.

Last weekend we heard from parishioners about the significance of PARISH NAME to

their lives. These parishioners shared their appreciation for the educational, liturgical and

ministerial services available to members of our faith community. Our ministries are

made possible through the collaborative efforts of our teachers, lay and religious leaders

and volunteers, and because of the financial support of many of our parishioners-including

you. This collaboration and sense of ownership is something I am relying on as

I write to you today.

You have been extremely generous to PARISH NAME by supporting our capital

campaign and offertory collection. Our records indicate that you made a gift of $ to

our three-year campaign and have made a contribution of $ to the Sunday offertory

from DATES OF FISCAL YEAR, for an average Sunday offertory contribution of

$ . I truly appreciate your generosity and hope that you can continue your support,

possibly incorporating some of what you would have given to the capital campaign to the

offertory collection. In order for the parish to forecast offertory contributions for the

DATES OF FISCAL YEAR, would you be able to review the enclosed Declaration of

Intention and commit to a weekly or monthly gift? This Intention may be returned to the

rectory, or in next week's offertory collection.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this request and for your already-generous

support of PARISH NAME.

Sincerely,

Pastor

P.S. Your commitment is not a legal obligation; it merely states your intention to support

our parish ministries in the corning year.

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GENERAL School Family Only Week 2

PARENT NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Dear NAME:

The faith-based education offered at PARISH NAME school prepares students to bring light to

our world by sharing their Christian values at home, school, on the playground or the playing

field. We are proud of our students and are grateful to our staff who work tirelessly to give

students the best of beginnings. We do believe that our graduates are well prepared spiritually

and academically to be Christ-bearers, persons of hope in a world desperate for God's love.

The PARISH NAME school curriculum recognizes that God has granted each of us special

talents that are to be shared responsibly and wisely with others. Fostering the recognition of

talents is imperative for each of our children. This recognition and the gratitude that flows from

the recognition of our abundance is something that God asks of each of us. We may be blessed

with special abilities, may have time to share, or may be financially wealthy. Whatever our gifts,

God calls us to be good stewards of them, cognizant of the priority with which we use them and

the measure of gratitude in how we give them.

Last week I spoke at the masses about PARISH NAME'S financial situation. Our Parish

community is composed of registered members and school families. The parish

offertory collection supplements each student's tuition by $ , as the tuition fee covers

only % of the actual cost to educate a student. Our records indicate from FISCAL YEAR

DATES you have made $ contribution to the Sunday offertory collection for an average

weekly gift of $ . As a school parent, I ask if you could help underwrite some of the

difference between the tuition that is charged and actual tuition costs by increasing your offertory

donation. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

May God bless you, your family and PARISH NAME parish and school.

Sincerely,

Pastor

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GENERAL Senior Citizen Donors Week 2

DATE

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Dear SALUTATION:

Our Catholic Christian lives are a response to Jesus' call to follow and imitate his

example; stewardship is an essential element of Christian living. As Christians, we are

aware that all things and all beings are from God, and we are thankful for our gifts. At the

same time we realize that we have a responsibility to share these gifts in justice and love

with one another. This is what practicing stewardship means.

Last weekend we heard from parishioners about the significance of PARISH NAME

Parish to their lives. These parishioners shared their appreciation for the educational,

liturgical and ministerial services available to members of our faith community. Our

ministries are made possible through the collaborative efforts of our teachers, lay and

religious leaders, and volunteers, and because of the financial support of many of our

parishioners--including you. This collaboration and sense of ownership is something I am

relying on as I write to you today.

You have demonstrated your commitment to PARISH NAME through your investment-your

prayerful and financial support of our parish. I write to today to ask for your

continued support. I recognize that living on a fixed income may make it impossible to

increase your offertory support, but I do hope that you will pray for our parish and the

success of our Increased Offertory drive. And, if you are able to maintain or increase

your offertory contribution, please find a commitment card enclosed. You may this to

next Sunday's offertory collection, or, feel free to mail it to the parish.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration. May God bless you, your family and the

PARISH NAME community.

Sincerely,

Pastor

42

INACTIVE PARISHIONER WEEK 2 Only

DATE

PARISHIONER NAME

MAILING ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Dear SALUTATION (FIRST NAME),

According to our records, you are a registered parishioner of PARISH NAME. We are in

the process of updating our database of registered parishioners, and I ask your help.

PARISH is the faith home of # registered parishioners. The parish provides

spiritual nourishment and faith development, emotional support, and a sense of

community. # students—the future of our church—are educated in our school. With

our ministry within our faith community and outreach within the larger community, we

believe we are a place of hope doing God's work.

Since everything we offer depends on the support of parishioners, I wrote to

contributing members inviting them to prayerfully consider an increase in their weekly

offertory contribution, and fill out a commitment card which will assist with our current

budgeting process. You may be contributing with cash and/or volunteering with one of

our multiple parish ministries. If so, I'm grateful for your assistance. However, we

unfortunately have no indication that you financially supported PARISH with the use of

an envelope in the regular collection throughout FISCAL YEAR DATES. In order for

our parish to forecast offertory contributions for the FISCAL YEAR DATES fiscal year,

would you be able to review the enclosed Declaration of Intention and commit to a

weekly or monthly gift? This Intention may be returned to the rectory, or in the next

week's offertory collection.

I am sending this brief survey to determine if there is some way we can meet your needs

and count on your participation in the life and mission of our parish. While the Church is

important to many, it may be a source of alienation or hostility for some; and others

simply do not see the institutional Church as having any value in their lives. I ask you to

help our parish leaders and me better serve the spiritual needs of the people today. Please

answer the enclosed survey and return your comments in the addressed envelope at your

earliest convenience.

Please know that the members of the PARISH NAME Pastoral Staff want to offer

themselves to help you grow in faith, connect you to good people and help you make a

contribution to the world around you. Please do not hesitate to let us know how we can

help you.

Sincerely,

Pastor

43

GENERAL "Other" Week 2

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Dear SALUTATION:

Our Catholic Christian lives are a response to Jesus' call to follow and imitate his

example; stewardship is an essential element of Christian living. As Christians, we are

aware that all things and all beings are from God, and we are thankful for our gifts. At the

same time we realize that we have a responsibility to share these gifts in justice and love

with one another. This is what practicing stewardship means.

Last weekend we heard from parishioners about the significance of PARISH NAME to

their lives. These parishioners shared their appreciation for the educational, liturgical and

ministerial services available to members of our faith community. Our ministries are

made possible through the collaborative efforts of our teachers, lay and religious leaders

and volunteers, and because of the financial support of many of our parishioners-including

you. This collaboration and sense of ownership is something I am relying on as

I write to you today.

In order to pay our operating expenses and the # teachers that educate # students

in our schools and the members of our pastoral staff who serve parishioners, our

parish requires $ to operate monthly; we currently raise . A $ deficit, it is my

duty to be forthright with this figure.

Our offertory contribution records indicate that you have donated $ from FISCAL

YEAR DATES for an average Sunday gift of $ . I truly appreciate your generosity

and hope that you can continue your support. In order for our parish to forecast offertory

contributions for the FISCAL YEAR DATES fiscal year, would you be able to review

the enclosed Declaration of Intention and commit to a weekly or monthly gift? This

Intention may be returned to the rectory, or in the next week's offertory collection.

May God bless you, your family and PARISH NAME parish.

Sincerely,

Pastor

P.S. Your commitment is not a legal obligation; it merely states your intention to support

our parish ministries in the coming year.

44

Programa de Ofrendas Planeadas # 1 en Español

Fecha

Nombre

Dirección:

Ciudad, Estado, Código Postal

Estimado/a :

Los feligreses de NOMBRE DE LA PARROQUIA han recibido bendiciones en

abundancia. Somos una parroquia vibrante que ofrece a los miembros de nuestra

comunidad servicios educativos, litúrgicos y ministeriales valiosos. Nos esforzamos por

cubrir las necesidades de nuestra parroquia y por hacerlo a través del trabajo ejemplar de

nuestros maestros, nuestros líderes laicos y religiosos y nuestros voluntarios. Como

parroquia hemos sido bendecidos y les agradezco su presencia en nuestra comunidad de

culto.

Dios nos ha obsequiado con dones, gracias y recursos únicos que son para ser

compartidos de manera responsable y sabia con otros. Es posible que hayamos sido

bendecidos económicamente, quizá tengamos tiempo qué compartir, o destrezas

especiales. Cualquiera que sean nuestros dones, Dios nos llama a administrarlos bien, a

estar concientes de la prioridad con la que los usamos y la gratitud para medir cómo los

damos.

El fin de semana pasado hablé acerca del llamado para incrementar las ofrendas a nuestra

parroquia. El significado de este llamado tiene dos aspectos: 1) nos permite estar atentos

a los dones que hemos recibido y 2) nos invita a ser corresponsables atentos de dichos

dones. Compartir nuestro tiempo y talentos es importante como una manera de

devolverlos a Dios en gratitud. El día de hoy tocó escribir estas líneas y en las próximas

semanas será el momento para hablarles, durante la misa, de la importancia de compartir

sus recursos monetarios para apoyar a nuestra parroquia.

La Iglesia es responsabilidad de todos; cada uno de nosotros está invitado a reflexionar

sobre el llamado que cada individuo tiene para servir y compartir. Por todo lo anterior, les

pido que por favor escuchen con devoción en las próximas semanas lo que tendremos que

compartir sobre nuestro Programa de Ofrendas Planeadas. Este programa tiene como

objetivo discernir la manera en que Dios nos está llamando, como miembro de NOMBRE

DE LA PARROQUIA, a compartir las bendiciones que de Él hemos recibido para

asegurar la misión de la Iglesia de Cristo.

Sinceramente,

Nombre del párroco

45

Programa de Ofrendas Planeadas # 2 en Español

Fecha

Nombre

Dirección

Ciudad, Estado, Código Postal

Estimado/a:

Nuestras vidas católicas cristianas son una respuesta al llamado que hizo Jesús a seguir e

imitar su ejemplo; la corresponsabilidad es un elemento esencial de la vida cristiana.

Como cristianos, sabemos que todas las cosas y todos los seres provienen de Dios, y

estamos agradecidos por los dones recibidos. Al mismo tiempo, nos damos cuenta que

tenemos la responsabilidad de compartir estos dones en justicia y amor, los unos con los

otros. Esto es lo que significa practicar la corresponsabilidad.

El fin de semana pasado escuchamos de acerca de todo lo que significa

NOMBRE DE LA PARROQUIA en sus vidas. Estos feligreses comparten el aprecio que

tienen por los servicios educativos, litúrgicos y ministeriales que están disponibles a

todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad de fe. Nuestros ministerios son posibles

gracias a la colaboración de nuestros maestros, nuestros líderes laicos y religiosos, los

voluntarios y el apoyo económico de muchos de nuestros feligreses. En este momento en

que escribo estas líneas me apoyo en la confianza que tengo en su colaboración y en el

sentido de propiedad que tienen de este ministerio.

Hace poco hablé en las liturgias acerca del estado financiero de nuestra parroquia. En

NOMBRE DE LA PARROQUIA estamos luchando por cubrir nuestras

responsabilidades fiscales. Para poder pagar nuestros gastos operativos y los salarios de

los # maestros que educan a los # estudiantes de nuestras escuelas, y para cubrir

la nómina de los miembros del personal pastoral que dan servicio a feligreses,

nuestra parroquia necesita $ cada mes para operar; en la actualidad recaudamos

. Con un déficit de $ , mi deber es ser franco con esta cantidad.

PARA LOS QUE NO CONTRIBUYEN:

Su apoyo financiero es clave para la parroquia.

Las personas que se comprometieron a apoyamos de una forma regular saben el

sacrificio que significa ofrecer su tiempo y su dinero. Sin embargo, la mayor parte de los

miembros de la parroquia no se han comprometido. Por lo anterior, estamos entregando a

todos una carta de compromiso para juntos lograr que sus donativos dominicales se

realicen de manera regular.

46

Tomense su tiempo para pensar en eual debe ser su contribucion, ecuerde los que ya ha

entregado y haga su compromiso para el futuro. Gracias.

PARA PERSONAS QUE CONTRIBUYEN:

El registro de contribuciones de nuestro ofertorio indica que usted ha contribuido $

de a , con una contribución dominical promedio de $ .

Agradezco de todo corazón sus donativos. Por otro lado, aún cuando su situación

financiera y otras consideraciones pudieran hacer que parezca imposible incrementar su

apoyo al ofertorio, le pido que revise su nivel actual de contribución con relación a su

ingreso y, si es posible, incremente su donativo semanal. Adjunto encontrará una

Declaración de Intención la cual se le proporciona como una guía para calcular su

compromiso financiero; esta forma tiene además una función valiosa para que nuestra

oficina de negocios pues gracias a ella se podrá hacer una proyección de las

contribuciones que recibirá el ofertorio (el apoyo económico operativo) para el año 2008-

2009. Esta tarjeta de Intención puede ser devuelta a la rectoría, o durante la colecta del

refectorio de la próxima semana. Es bueno que sepa que su compromiso no lo obliga

legalmente y que puede estar seguro que todas las contribuciones hechas al ofertorio de la

parroquia serán utilizadas, en su totalidad, para los gastos operativos de la parroquia.

Gracias de antemano por su generosidad. Que Dios los bendiga.

Sincereamente,

Nombre del párroco

47

Programa de Ofrendas Planeadas # 2 en Español (In active/Non Donors)

Fecha

Nombre

Dirección

Ciudad, Estado, Código Postal

Estimado/a:

Nuestras vidas católicas cristianas son una respuesta al llamado que hizo Jesús a seguir e

imitar su ejemplo; la corresponsabilidad es un elemento esencial de la vida cristiana.

Como cristianos, sabemos que todas las cosas y todos los seres provienen de Dios, y

estamos agradecidos por los dones recibidos. Al mismo tiempo, nos damos cuenta que

tenemos la responsabilidad de compartir estos dones en justicia y amor, los unos con los

otros. Esto es lo que significa practicar la corresponsabilidad.

El fin de semana pasado escuchamos de acerca de todo lo que significa

NOMBRE DE LA PARROQUIA en sus vidas. Estos feligreses comparten el aprecio que

tienen por los servicios educativos, litúrgicos y ministeriales que están disponibles a

todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad de fe. Nuestros ministerios son posibles

gracias a la colaboración de nuestros maestros, nuestros líderes laicos y religiosos, los

voluntarios y el apoyo económico de muchos de nuestros feligreses. En este momento en

que escribo estas líneas me apoyo en la confianza que tengo en su colaboración y en el

sentido de propiedad que tienen de este ministerio.

Hace poco hablé en las liturgias acerca del estado financiero de nuestra parroquia. En

NOMBRE DE LA PARROQUIA estamos luchando por cubrir nuestras

responsabilidades fiscales. Para poder pagar nuestros gastos operativos y los salarios de

los # maestros que educan a los # estudiantes de nuestras escuelas, y para cubrir

la nómina de los miembros del personal pastoral que dan servicio a feligreses,

nuestra parroquia necesita $ cada mes para operar; en la actualidad recaudamos

. Con un déficit de $ , mi deber es ser franco con esta cantidad.

PARA LOS QUE NO CONTRIBUYEN: (This can be further separated into B and C

groups).

Su apoyo financiero es clave para la parroquia.

Las personas que se comprometieron a apoyamos de una forma regular saben el

sacrificio que significa ofrecer su tiempo y su dinero. Sin embargo, la mayor parte de los

miembros de la parroquia no se han comprometido. Por lo anterior, estamos entregando a

todos una carta de compromiso para juntos lograr que sus donativos dominicales se

realicen de manera regular.

48

Tomense su tiempo para pensar en eual debe ser su contribucion, ecuerde los que ya ha

entregado y haga su compromiso para el futuro. Gracias.

Adjunto encontrará una Declaración de Intención la cual se le proporciona como una guía

para calcular su compromiso financiero; esta forma tiene además una función valiosa

para que nuestra oficina de negocios pues gracias a ella se podrá hacer una proyección de

las contribuciones que recibirá el ofertorio (el apoyo económico operativo) para el año

2004-2005. Esta tarjeta de Intención puede ser devuelta a la rectoría, o durante la colecta

del refectorio de la próxima semana. Es bueno que sepa que su compromiso no lo obliga

legalmente y que puede estar seguro que todas las contribuciones hechas al ofertorio de la

parroquia serán utilizadas, en su totalidad, para los gastos operativos de la parroquia.

Gracias de antemano por su generosidad. Que Dios los bendiga.

Sincereamente,

Nombre del párroco

49

PARISH NAME Parishioner Survey

1. Is there something that bothers you about the Church? What is it?

2. If you were pastor of PARISH NAME, what is one thing you would do?

3. What value/purpose/meaning could a parish have for you?

4. If you are not involved at PARISH NAME, what would it take for you to actively

participate in the parish?

5. Are there any special needs with which our parish can assist?

6. Anything else?

Name (optional)

If you would like to be contacted, please include your telephone number:

Thank you for taking the time to share your honest feedback.

Sincerely

, Pastor

50

Diocese of Joliet

Development and Stewardship

Benefits of the Planned Parish Offering Program (An appeal for increased offerings through the Sunday Offertory Collection)

The Planned Parish Offering Program is conducted over a three-week period and includes a

homily presentation by the pastor and lay witness presentations by individual parishioners.

Following these homily presentations, a personalized, segmented mailing is sent to all parish

households. This program can be adapted each year for use as a part of a parish's annual stewardship

appeal: that time when we make a return to God with increase (to the parish) of a proportionate

share of our treasure (financial resources). The following is a comprehensive description of the

program:

Weekend #1 Pastor Introduction

The program is introduced on the first weekend with a homily presentation by the pastor at

all Masses. The pastor's presentation is general and emphasizes themes of stewardship such as

gratitude, sharing and accountability. This is an opportunity for the pastor to call parishioners to a

greater awareness of the need for their participation in all areas of parish life, including the financial

support of the parish. The homily becomes specific when the pastor explains the financial state of

the parish. In this context, the relationship between the weekly Offertory collection and the

operating budget of the parish is detailed.

The following week all registered parishioners receive a personalized letter from the pastor,

restating the themes of his homily, with a special request for new, renewed and / or increased

financial support (the gift of one's treasure) through the Sunday offertory collection. The mailing can

be segmented if you wish into various parishioner groups (regular and non-regular contributors,

school families and parents of children enrolled in religious education classes, for example). The

segmented letters have a specific request for participation and support depending on the targeted

audience and may indicate a parishioner's record of giving through the offertory collection for a

certain period of time.

Weekend #2 Lay Witness Talks

On the second weekend parishioners give a witness talk about their involvement in the

parish and how they have come to a greater understanding of stewardship and the importance of

giving back to God through the gift of their time, talent and treasure. Speakers might be identifiable

parish leaders, school families and / or long-time member of the parish – a parishioner who lives his

/ her faith commitment and can motivate others to become involved in parish life. Lay witnesses

understand the concepts of gratitude, sharing, accountability and making a return with increase to

God. (Stewardship: An Overview).

Blanchette Catholic Center 16555 Weber Road Crest Hill, IL 60403 815-838-8515 FAX: 815-838-8108

51

Lay witnesses might explain how the parish meets the varied needs of its members through

its varied ministries and programs (liturgy, the sacraments, school and religious education for kids

and adults, etc.), and then explain how these services are supported through weekly donations

received through the Sunday offertory collection.

During the second week, parishioners receive another letter from the pastor that reiterates

those ideas expressed at all the Masses the previous weekend. This letter can include a copy of the

witness talk, or special guide for parishioners to use to determine regular ongoing offertory support.

A commitment card and return envelope is enclosed in this mailing. As part of the letter, the pastor

asks that parishioners make a faith commitment of their financial support to the parish by

completing the commitment card and returning it to the rectory in the envelope provided.

Weekend #3 Commitment Weekend

On the third weekend, the celebrant recaps many of the themes of the previous two

weekends and thanks those who have already returned their commitment card to the rectory, making

an outward commitment of their support to the parish. Time is then made available after the homily

for those others who have not already done so to complete their commitment card and place it in the

collection basket if they wish.

Program Follow-Up

A month or so following the stewardship of treasure campaign has been initiated, the pastor

sends a personalized thank you letter to those parishioners who completed and returned a

commitment card. A mailing can also be developed for those individuals who did not return a

commitment card. The pastor may ask again for the gift of their financial support and include

information about the program's success. All commitment cards should be recorded and filed for

follow-up later in the year.

Office of Development and Stewardship

Diocese of Joliet

Blanchette Catholic Center

16555 Weber Road

Crest Hill, IL 60403

815-838-8515 Fax: 815-838-8108

www.dioceseofjoliet.org/development

52

Sample Parish Stewardship Report

Our Parish Population

1035 households, 3045 individuals

76 new registrants in the past year

Sacramental Preparation Programs

• 48 parents prepared by 8 Baptism Team Members

• 7 catechumens and 12 candidates prepared by 10 team members in the Rite of Christian Initiation

of Adults (RCIA)

• 132 confirmation candidates by 10 catechists and 11 facilitators, administered by 9 confirmation

core team members

• 78 second graders prepared for First Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist by 16 people

• 22 couples prepared for marriage in a Pre-Cana ay by 10 couples

Sacraments Celebrated

525 Masses

44 Funerals

72 Baptisms

132 Confirmations

78 First Eucharists

1 Vocation to the Priesthood/Religious Life

4 Professions of Faith

78 First Reconciliations

23 Marriages

125 Anointings of the Sick

Education and Faith-Formation Programs

• 1100 students (Pre K-8) taught by 22 teachers and 20 aides

• 268 religious educations students (grades 1-8) taught weekly by 11 religious education teachers

• 65 students (grades K-4) met weekly for Children’s Liturgy of the Word led by

• 8 catechists

• 83 Vacation Bible School students taught for a week by 10 teachers and 10 aides

• 6 prayer groups with 48 participants met and prayed monthly

Liturgy

Assistance 21

Lectors

36 Altar Servers

28 Ushers

48 Choir Members

12 Cantors

32 Eucharistic Ministers

53

Parish Outreach

76 home visits to new parishioners

41 home visits to homebound and nursing homes

2,640 service hours performed by 132 confirmation candidates

30 boys and 20 girls were led by 20 leaders in scouting programs

8 Welcome Home members attended 3 sessions with 4 team members

650 students participated in school sports, 21 coaches

16 widows and widowers attended 6 New Beginning meetings

Administrative Programs

Pastoral Council met monthly with 9 parishioners and 2 staff members

Finance Council met monthly with 8 parishioners

Adapted from Today’s Parish (January 1995), pp. 34-35

54

Estimated Timeline for Planned Parish Offering Program

At LEAST 8 Weeks to prepare (backtrack from start date of week 1 of Planned Parish Offering

Program by 8 weeks) Please refer to program manual for details of procedures of the Preparation

Weeks and Execution Weeks.

Preparation Weeks:

Weeks 1-2 Determine market/target segmentation for letters.

Determine number of letter drops (one, two or more letters not counting

thank you letter)

Weeks 2-3 Draft Letters for the different segments and different drops

- see sample letters from Planned Parish Offering Program manual

- send copies of drafts to Office of Development and

Stewardship and work together with parish for final letters

for all drops

Prepare Stewardship Report of Financial Status report (if it will be included in

the letter)

Get quotes from printers (Excel Forms & Graphics, Inc. or any other vendor you

plan to use)

Select/approve vendor (if a different vendor other than Excel Forms & Graphics,

Inc. is used, please advise the Office of Stewardship and Development if parish

will be needing commitment cards so arrangements can be made to have the

cards delivered to approved vendor/printer)

Send final data (market segmented list) to approved vendor/printer

Prepare/Draft the homilies for weeks 1 and 3 of Planned Parish

Offering Program execution. Start looking for Lay Witness Speakers

for Week 2 of Planned Parish Offering Program execution

Weeks 3-4 Finalize all letters that need to be sent out to parishioners (Mailing list for

drops should be with approved vendor by now)

Approve all letters and send out to Excel Forms & Graphics, Inc. or designated

printer for printing (2 copies each of letterhead, envelope, and pastor signature to

Excel Forms & Graphics, Inc. or approved printer)

Prepare Lay Witness speakers

Finalize homilies and bulletin announcements

Weeks 4-8 Letters in process with Excel Forms & Graphics, Inc. or designated printer

- final proofs

- mailing

- send samples to Office of Development and Stewardship

55

Planned Parish Offertory Program Timeline Continued (page 2)

Execution Weeks:

Weeks 8-10 Start and execution of Planned Parish Offertory Program proper

(designated as weeks 1-3 in Planned Parish Offertory Program; see

program summary)

Week 8 Intro week (1st weekend of Planned Parish Offertory Program proper)

- homily presentation

- parishioners receive 1st phase letter from pastor

Week 9 Lay Witness talks (2nd weekend of Planned Parish Offertory Program proper)

- parishioners give lay witness talks

- parishioners receive 2nd letter from pastor which may include copy of

the witness talk, commitment card and return envelope

Week 10 Commitment Weekend (3rd weekend of Planned Parish Offertory Program proper)

- recap of themes from previous weekend during homily

- time made available to those who have not completed commitment

cards; collection basket for these cards

Weeks 11-14 Program Follow-Up

- personalized thank you letter sent out

- Pastor can mention program’s success and thank participants

during homily

- possibly another mailing for those who did not return cards

- commitment cards recorded and filed for follow-up later in the year

- check in with Development and Stewardship Office to report results

56

Stewardship: A Way of Life Is your parish ready for stewardship?

The following questions will help you determine how prepared your parish is for a successful

stewardship effort. Most parishes will not be able to answer “yes” to every question, however,

the more “yes” answers you have the more successful your stewardship effort will be. As the parish

moves into the stewardship process, the long-range goal should be to answer every one

of these evaluation questions with a firm ”YES!”

Is your parish spiritually strong?

❏ Are you pleased with Mass attendance?

❏ Do a fair number of parishioners participate in spiritual enrichment activities — small faith

communities, adult faith programs, etc.?

❏ Do parishioners show a willingness to spend time with God through Eucharistic Adoration,

weekday Mass, parish missions, personal prayer, etc.

❏ Do parishioners feel a sense of belonging to the parish?

❏ Is your database up-to-date so that parishioners’ mail is properly addressed?

❏ Do you have the correct first name salutations as part of your database?

❏ Are there parish activities available for everyone including the elderly, the handicapped, the

single, those without children and the young adults?

❏ Are the leaders of your organizations encouraged to make all newcomers feel welcomed and do

they encourage new input and ideas?

❏ Are welcoming activities and processes in place, including a warm and convenient registration

process, welcoming packets and invitations to events?

❏ Are parish leaders willing to ask, invite and challenge different people to get involved rather than

always relying on the same people all the time?

❏ Are attempts made to reach out to those who are not actively involved?

Do parishioners have a sense of ownership in the parish?

❏ Is there a Parish Vision that has been formulated through broad-based input?

❏ Is there a Parish Strategic Plan making your parish proactive rather than reactive?

Are all parishioners aware of the goals that are a part of this plan?

❏ Are all parishioners included in or advised of parish needs assessment?

❏ Is there open accounting of parish activities and plans including a comprehensive annual report

and regular comments in the bulletin about parish business and management?

❏ Do parishioners feel invited to share their thoughts, comments and suggestions?

❏ Are the accomplishments of the parish adequately promoted thus encouraging a sense of pride in

the parish?

❏ Do parishioners really feel that the parish belongs to all of them?

Do parishioners believe that the parish is doing God’s work?

❏ Is there an active social service ministry with adequate opportunities for all interested

parishioners to participate?

❏ Is the “mission” work of the parish adequately publicized so parishioners do see that they are

investing in God’s work and not just in the maintenance of a private club for the parishioners?

❏ Do parishioners understand that a parish exists to help them serve God or do they think the parish

exists to serve them? Do the parish leaders also understand this?

57

Do parishioners feel appreciated?

❏ Are the gifts people give adequately acknowledged, recognized and appreciated?

Is there — at the very least — an annual note of appreciation sent to every donor and

volunteer?

❏ Does your parish bulletin include regular notes of appreciation and recognition?

❏ Is there an annual appreciation event?

❏ Are parish leaders sensitive to the fact that sometimes the smaller gift may actually be the more

generous gift?

❏ Do parishioners see that their gifts are really needed and used?

Are parishioners familiar with the scriptural concept of stewardship?

❏ Does your parish use weekly bulletin stewardship reflections?

❏ Does the pastor and other celebrants talk about stewardship whenever this concept is included in

the Gospel readings?

❏ Understanding that stewardship is how we live as Christ’s disciples, are your parishioners

prepared to pray for successful stewardship- through Prayers of the Faithful, parish prayer groups

or prayer chains, and/or a parish stewardship prayer?

❏ Are stewardship-related scripture quotes used on parish bulletin boards, web sites, annual reports,

etc.?

❏ Are the gifts that parishioners give symbolically give tied to the Eucharist through good offertory

practices?

Is a strong committee or commission in place to lead the stewardship effort?

❏ Is the committee representative of all the various types of parishioners in the parish?

❏ Are committee members Eucharistic people with a strong spiritual relationship with God?

❏ Are committee members good stewards themselves?

❏ Are the committee chairs well-received by the parish community?

❏ Do committee members recognize that stewardship is about so much more than money?

Stewardship is about every choice we make as Christians, including how we choose to spend our

time and our treasure?

❏ Does your committee include both new and seasoned parishioners?

❏ Does your committee include individuals who understand good marketing, communications and

motivation processes since educating about stewardship in our commercial and consumer society

is a marketing challenge?

For information or assistance, please contact the Diocese of Joliet

Development and Stewardship Office, 815-838-8515

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Stewardship Standards

A Welcoming Spirit

• Hospitality after each Mass, each weekend, sponsored by rotating ministries

• New parishioner registration/orientation process defined and managed; appropriate materials

incorporated into the process; home visits whenever possible.

• Updated “new parishioner” materials describing ministries, organizations, services shared

with entire parish at least every other year

• Volunteer recruiter/coordinator

• Volunteer/donor recognition, appreciation

Vibrant Liturgy and Faith Formation

• Annual training/formation of all liturgical ministries

• Superb preaching with stewardship themes at all Masses

• Music ministry supplemented with semi-professionals until sufficient parishioners are

enlisted

• Each Mass known for a particular type of music or choir

• Adult faith formation offered in multiple formats and schedules

• Quarterly lay witnessing

• Prayers of the Faithful each week

• Commissioning/Blessing of Volunteers

Prayerful Presence

• All forms of prayer, devotion, etc. offered and welcome

• Perpetual adoration

• Spiritual reading encouraged

• Literature/resources available after Mass monthly or quarterly

Children’s Stewardship

• School: Philanthropy curriculum, stewardship education

• RE: stewardship education

• Kinder reach: volunteer efforts/grade level

• Children’s envelopes: education, ritual

• Youth Ministry: faith in action projects

Organization

• Leadership of Stewardship efforts spiritually grounded, committed to Stewardship as a Way

of Life; readings, videos, audios, reflection, prayer, etc.

• Planned goals, objective strategies and timelines

• Annual commitment of Time, Talent and Treasure - joint or as three separate commitments

• Accountability

• Measurement

• Annual Report reflecting all three dimensions published each September

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Communication

• Weekly bulletin articles

• Weekly homily reference

• Semi-monthly pulpit announcements

• Organization meetings include stewardship as an agenda item

• Quarterly newsletter with stewardship theme

• Offertory accounting including external tithe in bulletin weekly

• Outside speaker series, two to four per year

• Ministry profiles via bulletin and pulpit each week

• Annual Ministry Fair

Measurement

• Tithing to local, national and international causes

• Weekend Mass attendance

• Daily Mass attendance

• Adoration volunteers

• Ministry numbers and volunteers/hours served

• Offertory revenue

• Number participating in other prayer experiences

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The Theology of Stewardship A Summary of the United States Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship

In 1992, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops published Stewardship: A Disciple’s

Response. The bishops defined a Christian steward as one who:

• Receives God’s gifts gratefully

• Cherishes and tends God’s gifts responsibly

• Shares God’s gifts in love and justice

• Returns God’s gifts with increase

Stewards acknowledge that God is Creator and Owner of all and shares of their gifts out of love for

God and one another.

Disciples as Stewards:

As members of the Body of Christ, Jesus calls us to be disciples. This has astonishing

implications.

• Mature disciples make a conscious decision to follow Jesus, no matter what the cost.

• Christian disciples experience conversion, life-shaping changes of mind and heart, and

commit their very selves to God.

• Christian stewards respond in a particular way to the call to be a disciple. Stewardship has

the power to shape and mold our understanding of our lives and the way in which we live.

Christian stewards recognize God as the Origin of Life, the Giver of Freedom, and Source of All. 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 teachings of Jesus, the model steward, for guidance in living

as Christian stewards.

Stewards of Creation:

The Bible contains a profound message about the stewardship of material creation: God created

the world, but entrusts it to human beings. Caring for and cultivating the world involves the

following:

• Joyful appreciation for the God-given beauty and wonder of nature;

• Protection and preservation of the environment, which would be the stewardship of

ecological concern;

• Respect for human life—shielding life from threat and assault, doing everything that can

be done to enhance this gift and make life flourish; and

• Development of this world through noble human effort—physical labor, the trades and

professions, the arts and sciences. We call such effort "work." Work is a fulfilling human

vocation.

Stewards of Vocation:

Each of us has a human vocation—our human role in carrying out God’s divine plan. Our

challenge is to understand our role in this plan, and respond generously to this call.

Work is fulfilling a human vocation. The Second Vatican Council points out that, through work,

we build up not only our world but the kingdom of God, already present among us. Work is a

partnership with God- our share in a divine human collaboration in creation. It occupies a central

place in our lives as Christian stewards.

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Stewards of the Church:

Stewards of God’s gifts are not passive beneficiaries, but collaborators with God. We are obliged

to be stewards of the Church, collaborators and cooperators in continuing the redemptive work

of Jesus—the Church’s essential mission. This mission, proclaiming and teaching, serving and

sanctifying, is our task. It is the personal responsibility of each of us.

All members of the Church have their roles to play in carrying out its mission:

• Parents, who nurture their children in the light of faith;

• Parishioners, who work in concrete ways to make their parishes true communities of faith

and vibrant sources of service to the larger community; and

• All Catholics who give generous support- time, money, prayers and personal service

according to their circumstances—to parish and diocesan programs and to the universal

Church.

Obstacles of Stewardship

People who want to live as Christian disciples and Christian stewards face several obstacles. In

the United States and other nations, a dominant secular culture often contradicts religious

convictions about the meaning of life. This culture encourages us to focus on our pleasures and

ourselves. At times, we can find it far too easy to ignore spiritual realities and deny religion a

role in shaping human and social values. As Catholics who have entered into the mainstream of

American society and experienced its advantages, many have also been adversely influenced by

this secular culture. The struggle against selfishness and greed is almost constant; for many, it is

harder today to accept the challenge of being a Christian steward.

It is essential, therefore, that we make a special effort to understand the true meaning of

stewardship and live accordingly.

A Steward’s Way

The life of a Christian steward models the life of Jesus. It is challenging and even difficult, in

many respects, yet intense joy comes to those who take the risk to live as Christian stewards.

Women and men who seek to live as stewards learn that “all things work for good for those who

love God” (Romans 8:28).

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Benefits of Electronic Giving

• Encouraging parishioners to be intentional and reflective in their giving, to give of their first

fruits, leads to larger individual gifts. Parishioners, quite simply, give more when they pause

and actually plan their gift.

• Utilizing a reoccurring, electronic system increases the number of gifts the parish will

receive from each parishioner. If a parishioner misses Mass due to poor weather, health or

travel, the gifts will continue to come in via direct debit or credit card billing. Parishes that

currently use this electronic giving system receive the equivalent of an additional five (5) to

fifteen (15) gifts per year from their regular supporters.

• Electronic giving is 100% secure. Donations received via direct debit and credit cards are

better protected than cash or checks.

• By offering alternate forms of giving, your parish provides a service to its donors. Credit

card and direct debit transactions have surpassed regular check writing in terms of use. As

of 2010, credit cards, direct debit and electronic transactions surpassed both check writing

and cash transactions.

• Your donors are increasingly utilizing these forms of payment. It greatly benefits your parish

to meet this demand by accepting direct debit and credit card transactions for regular

offertory giving as well as special support.

• Electronic giving reduces the paperwork, recording and tracking of contributions.

Intentional Giving Q&A Frequently Asked Questions

Why is "Intentional Giving," specifically electronic giving, good for our parish?

There are several key reasons why your parish will benefit from introducing an Intentional Giving

program at your parish. They are:

1. Encouraging parishioners to be intentional in their Giving will result in increased gifts.

2. Parish offertories fluctuate based on the weather, the season and the general ebb and flow of

Mass attendance. Having a large portion of your regular support committed on a monthly

basis reduces the variances that a parish might see on a week to week basis in its offertory.

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3. It is a more convenient way for parishioners to give. Setting up the donation is simple and

easy to do. Parishioners no longer have to worry about writing a check, finding their weekly

envelope or having enough cash each week to place in the basket.

4. It produces easy to read reports allowing the parish to budget and the donor to manage their

giving, print tax receipts and increase or modify their gift.

5. It is flexible. This powerful tool enables the parish to collect for capital campaigns, special

collections, national collections and even school tuition. The parish is in complete control of

this gift planning selection.

6. It provides an easy method for parishioners who do not regularly attend Mass to continue to

support their parish.

7. “Intentional Giving” is good Stewardship! It empowers parishioners to easily give of their

Treasure while providing the parish with a regular, consistent and increased amount of

financial support.

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ABC's Of Stewardship

A is for remembering All is gift. We have not done anything to deserve· or earn all that God gives to

us. God sends daily reminders of unconditional love through sunrises and sunsets, beautiful trees

and flowers, warm hugs and kind words~ as a steward, I need to be aware of these gifts.

B is for Bounty. In remembering all is gift, I am suddenly overwhelmed by the number of gifts that

pass through my daily life. As a steward, I need to take time to be aware of the bounteous gifts that

are freely given.

C is for Commitment. It's not easy to become a steward. It takes daily practice and commitment.

Learning to trust God and others is often what makes· this commitment especially difficult. Time

also plays havoc with the commitment to stewardship. I don't have time to do the things I must do,

so how can I squeeze out time for volunteering? Often, when I am beginning to create a change in

my life, I need to establish a support system so that I am accountable not only to myself ( I can

accept about any excuse I create) but to someone else. I have a friend who will ask "Did you do your

two hours of volunteer work this week?"

D is for Discernment. Discernment requires total honesty. How much of my time, treasure, and

talent can I share? Can I give 10% of my earnings? Can I give 10% of my time? Can I give 10% of

my talents? Some of us can give more and some of us can give less, but in the discernment process I

need to look at where my values are. The challenge is to be totally honest in the discernment

process.

E is for Evangelization. Evangelization often happens more by actions and deeds than by words.

People notice how carefully I handle the gifts I've been given. My basic question is "How can the

God-within-me, meet the God-within you?"

F is for Faithful. Once I've made a commitment to be a steward, the next challenge is to do it 24/7.

There are days that I'm tired or want to take a vacation from the practices of stewardship. I quickly

remember that God loves me 24/7 and never takes a vacation.

G is for Gratitude. As a steward, one must have a genuine sense of gratitude. I had a friend who

asked me, "If all you had today was what you gave thanks for yesterday, what would you have?"

Needless to say, the first time I was asked that question, I would have had very little.

His for Hospitality. Stewardship invites us to be open and hospitable to everyone. We need to help

others feel welcome, so they will offer to share their gifts. If I have an attitude that a project must be

done "my way" or "There's too many people involved in this particular ministry, could you share a

different gift," I may be turning some possible stewards away.

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I is for Identity. We weren't just created by God, but we were created for God. We can never return

to God anything that God hasn't given us first. The difference is that we return the gift with our love.

J is for Jesus. Many of the parables Jesus taught deal with stewardship. Why it is we have such a

hard time believing that we are cared for and protected? Scripture gives us this message over and

over.

K is for Koinonia (Community). One of the fruits of stewardship is that people begin believing "this

is my parish, and I need to help it!" Stewardship engenders an attitude of ownership and pride within

parishes. Parishioners begin to see needs and offer to meet those needs through their time, talent, and

treasure.

L is for Love. I can't love God more than I love my neighbor. Stewardship calls us forth to give

because we love someone. Love replaces the sense of duty. Stewardship allows me to look for

opportunities for giving because God has first given to me.

M is for Money. As stewards, we must be responsible consumers. We need to be aware of whether

or not laborers are being paid just wages. We need to look at how items are packaged: is the waste

ecologically friendly? We also need to reflect on our sacrificial giving how much can I really give!

What amount pushes me to trust in God just a little bit more?

N is for Need. As a steward, I must make distinctions between needs and wants. Is this something I

really need or is it something I want? Again honesty plays an important role in answering that

question.

O is for Ownership. As a steward, I own nothing. Everything I have is a gift, and it is my

responsibility to care for it. If I see everything as a gift, I won't be caught up in trying to progress

things. It is also easier for me to share with the poor because my self-esteem does not depend on how

many things I have.

P is for Prayer. Without prayer most people cannot be a steward. Having a relationship with God is

necessary before one can take the leap of faith that is required of a steward. If prayer is a part of my

daily life - I can think about God many times throughout the day.

Q is for Quest. Stewardship is a lifelong quest. The more I try to practice it, the more it will lead me

to a deeper faith and commitment. The stewards we are today are much different from the stewards

we will be twenty-five years from now.

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R is for Renewing the earth. Part of stewardship is taking care of the environment. Reusing,

reducing and recycling are the first steps to caring for God’s earth. Once we begin caring for the

earth, it becomes easier to see how everyone is connected to each other. My choices affect everyone

throughout the world. Human interdependence is necessary as it helps create solidarity with my

brothers and sisters worldwide.

S is for Sharing. Stewardship is synonymous with sharing. We cannot horde the gifts we are given.

Gifts are never given for individual use but are meant to be shared.

T is for Trust. This is the heart of stewardship. If I cannot trust God to care and provide for me, I

will continue to believe that gifts are scarce, and I will hoard them.

U is for United in Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that inspires each of us to respond to the call of

stewardship. Stewardship does not happen without an experience of conversion. Perhaps it is the

simple experience of realizing that I'm doing an ordinary action with love rather than a sense of duty.

In sharing conversion experiences with each other, we become united support systems that will

affirm and challenge our commitment to stewardship.

V is for Vocation. All of us are called to be stewards. Through free-will we either accept or reject

that call.

W is for Way of Life. Stewardship is not an addendum; it's not something I can do once in a while

when I feel like it. Stewards believe that "we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly,

share them lovingly in justice with others and return them with increase to the Lord"

(U.S. bishops' letter).

X is for Excuses. It is easy to make excuses as to why I shouldn't embrace the concept of

stewardship. We all find ways to do the things we really want. Leave the excuses behind and

embrace the gift of being a steward.

Y is for You are Called. Are you ready to let God take charge of your life? Will you allow God to be

the wind in your sail?

Z is for Zeal. Once you begin living as a steward, there will be an extra bounce in your step as you

experience the deep joy that comes from living with an attitude of gratitude and sharing your time,

treasure, and talents.