We invite you to read Cardinal Thomas Collins' Pastoral Letter on Stewardship. The letter is both a reflective guide and an urgent exhortation for Catholics to be aware of God’s gracious gifts and to live fully, gratefully, in service to others.

The letter unpacks the meaning of “deep stewardship” in everyday Christian life: the acknowledgment that we have received everything from God, and are “asked to make good use of what has been entrusted to us” with “creativity and boldness” while regularly examining how we use the gifts God has given us.

In light of the Pastoral Plan, stewardship challenges us to a deeper conversion, both as individuals, and as a community, to give generously of our time, talent, and treasure, and to be totally, joyfully engaged in discipleship in our both our parish home and the wider community as a whole.

To assist you, we have prepared some additional resources––whether you are sharing the letter in a parish, reading and discussing it in a group setting, or as an individual as spiritual reading. Some of these resources include: Prayers of the Faithful and bulletin announcements, points to facilitate a group discussion, suggested questions for personal reflection, an Examination of Conscience, etc.

Translations of the Pastoral Letter on Stewardship

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Hightlights

Cardinal Thomas Collins’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship is organized into four sections.

• Section One: The Meaning of Stewardship –– This section explores the reality that we are invited by God to be good stewards of His gifts. “If we truly have the spirit of stewardship, we will not let God’s gifts go to waste, and we will not selfishly cling to them, but use them graciously to serve others, and in doing so give glory to God.” 
• Section Two: The Spirituality of Deep Stewardship –– This section explores the concept that deep stewardship is not fundraising. “We can only be satisfied with deep stewardship, which means a profound inner conversion as individuals and as a community in which we become committed to living generously in every way, as the Gospel calls us to do.” 
• Section Three: Reasons to Become Involved in Stewardship –– The reasons being: it is Biblical, fruitful, realistic, comprehensive, continuous, proactive and it addresses the engagement dilemma. “Stewardship calls for nothing less than both individual and communal conversion, rooted in faith and fruitful in action.” 
• Section Four: The Way Forward –– To continue to develop vibrant parishes, it is key that we try to increase active engagement. "It is a lively faith family that challenges us as disciples to do great things for Jesus, in the spirit of the Acts of the Apostles."

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Prayers of the Faithful

Section One: The Meaning of Stewardship

We pray for the parishioners of the Archdiocese of Toronto, that we may recognize the time and talents entrusted to us by God. We pray to the Lord.

We pray that each one of us may use our time and talents to make a profound impact in our community, sharing our gifts with one another. We pray to the Lord.

Section Two: The Spirituality of Deep Stewardship

We pray for the gift of deep stewardship, and for the grace to understand what is truly important in life. We pray to the Lord.

We pray that deep stewardship will be alive and active within our own parish community, drawing on the time and talents of each one of us to share in abundance with others. We pray to the Lord.

We pray that we will use our time wisely, reflecting on what is truly important, sharing our time and talents thoughtfully and responsibly. We pray to the Lord.

Section Three: Reasons to Become Involved with Stewardship

We pray for the inspiration to enter more fully into the spirit of stewardship – allowing us to shine more brightly through a deepened spirit of gratitude for God’s gifts. We pray to the Lord.

We pray that each one of us will reflect on how we can be engaged in supporting our parish community, using our time and talents in thanksgiving for our many blessings. We pray to the Lord.

May we joyfully embrace the time and talents entrusted to us by God, sharing them in abundance as ambassadors for Christ. We pray to the Lord.

Section Four: The Way Forward

We pray to continue developing vibrant parishes and engaged parishioners so as to live out the blessing of stewardship through our time and talents. We pray to the Lord.

May we be thoughtful and responsible stewards in our families, drawing on the gifts and talents of each family member to support one another in our faith journey together. We pray to the Lord.

We pray that each one of us will say 'yes' to active engagement in our parish family. May we draw on the time and talents of every parishioner to serve the church in loving gratitude for all that has been entrusted to us. We pray to the Lord.

Bulletin Announcements

Cardinal Thomas Collins’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship – Section One: The Meaning of Stewardship

Cardinal Thomas Collins’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship is organized into four sections, with the first being The Meaning of Stewardship in the Christian Life. This section explores the reality that we are invited by God to be good stewards of His gifts. “If we truly have the spirit of stewardship, we will not let God’s gifts go to waste, and we will not selfishly cling to them, but use them graciously to serve others, and in doing so give glory to God.” To read the full pastoral letter, download resources, and learn more about deep stewardship, please www.archtoronto.org/stewardship

Cardinal Thomas Collins’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship – Section Two: The Spirituality of Deep Stewardship

The second section of Cardinal Thomas Collins’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship is focused on The Spirituality of Deep Stewardship. This section explores the concept that deep stewardship is not fundraising. “We can only be satisfied with deep stewardship, which means a profound inner conversion as individuals and as a community in which we become committed to living generously in every way, as the Gospel calls us to do.” To read the full pastoral letter, download resources, and learn more about deep stewardship, please visit www.archtoronto.org/stewardship

Cardinal Thomas Collins’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship – Section Three: Reasons to Become Involved with Stewardship

The third section of Cardinal Thomas Collins’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship is focused on Reasons to become involved with stewardship. The reasons being: it is Biblical, fruitful, realistic, comprehensive, continuous, proactive and it addresses the engagement dilemma. “Stewardship calls for nothing less than both individual and communal conversion, rooted in faith and fruitful in action.” To read the full pastoral letter, download resources, and learn more about deep stewardship, please visit www.archtoronto.org/stewardship

Cardinal Thomas Collins' Pastoral Letter on Stewardship – Section Four: The Way Forward

The fourth and final section of Cardinal Thomas Collins' Pastoral Letter on Stewardship is focused on The Way Forward. To continue to develop vibrant parishes, it is key that we try to increase active engagement. "It is a lively faith family that challenges us as disciples to do great things for Jesus, in the spirit of the Acts of the Apostles." To read the full pastoral letter, download resources, and learn more about deep stewardship, please visit www.archtoronto.org/stewardship

Discussion Questions

1. How does your parish reach out in justice and love?

• Physical need for shelter and food
• Foodbank, Out of the Cold and/or St. Vincent de Paul Society
• Refugee sponsorship
• Advocacy work that is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching
• Emotional need to be seen and heard
• The gift of presence – do we see Christ present in the other?
• The gift of listening – everyone has a story to share.  Are we open to receiving their story?
• The gift of encouragement – do we find ways to encourage others to engage with sharing their own special talent?  Have we been encouraged to share our own talents with the parish community?
• Can you see a wider path for inviting parishioners on the journey of reaching out to the needy?

2. How does your parish community experience the Gospel?

• Sacraments
• Sacramental Preparation
• Weddings 
• Funerals
• RCIA
• Liturgy of the Hours
• Bible study
• Bible camp for children
• Lectio Divina
• Liturgy of the Word with Children
• Alpha and/or other small groups
• Men’s and Women’s groups
• Parish Missions, Ministry Retreats and/or Stewardship Retreats 
• Dramatizations of Gospel stories with children and/or adults, Passion Plays – e.g. Oberammergau, Germany
• Pilgrimages to Holy Land, Rome, Santiago de Compostela, St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, St. Paul’s Basilica, Martyrs Shrine, World Youth Day, Eucharistic Congress, etc.

3. How does your parish nurture beauty?

• Liturgical music and art
• Tour of your church’s sacred spaces
• Decorations in the sanctuary – flowers, liturgical themes
• Well-kept grounds – places for contemplation
• Inviting gardeners to plant flowers 

4. How does your parish support fun and joy as an extension of Stewardship?

• Tree lighting ceremony at Christmas, followed by hot chocolate
• Parish skating parties
• Concerts
• Volunteer appreciation gatherings
• Pasta nights, Foods of the World potlucks
• Parish picnics
• Sports activities
• Harvest bazaars 
• Sunday coffee after Mass
• Pancake Breakfast

5. The Cardinal states, “We are stewards of our life and not masters.”  How does your parish experience or are informed to understand this in terms of:

• Abortion
• Chronic illness and suffering
• Euthanasia 
• Sacredness of marriage
• The gift of children
• The gift of grandparents and the elderly
• The gift of the mature adult who balances both the lives of the very young and the elderly
• The gift of creation

6. Who can your parishioners turn to for education and support when facing a crisis?

• A crisis of faith – opportunities for spiritual direction
• A crisis of health 
• A crisis of life meaning – depression
• A crisis of finances – inability to provide for the basics of life

7. How do you welcome people into full, active engagement in your parish life?

• Those who are new to the faith – once the RCIA is completed
• Those preparing for the sacraments and their parents
• Parents with small children
• Persons with special needs
• New parishioners 
• Those who are new to the neighborhood and parish community

8. How does your parish encourage and nurture vocations?

• To the priesthood
• To the Permanent Diaconate
• To religious and consecrated life
• To married life
• To lay ministry

9. How does your parish encourage faith practices?

• Prayer and Adoration
• Rosary
• Stations of the Cross
• Processions
• Family Faith Practices
• Celebrating milestones (e.g. graduations, anniversaries)
• Equipping parents and grandparents as faith formers
• Serving those in need

10. How does your parish form disciples for ministry and mission?

• Altar servers
• Lectors
• Liturgy of the Word with Children 
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
• Liturgical Musicians
• Ministers of Hospitality
• Catechists
• RCIA 
• Youth and Young Adults
• Families
• Maturing Adults 
• Sacramental Preparation 
• Visitors to the Sick
• Ministers of Bereavement 

11. How do you encourage other people to share their time and talents?

• Stewardship Committee 
• Ministry Fairs
• Witness talks
• Preaching
• Catechesis
• Annual renewals of time and talent
• Personalized invitations to join a ministry
• Recognizing and encouraging the potential of others (e.g. Spiritual Gifts Survey, CliftonStrengths Assessment)
• Gestures of appreciation to those who are engaged in ministry

12. How does your parish foster “an attitude of gratitude”?

• Towards God
• Towards parishioners
• Beyond the parish family

A Stewardship Examination of Conscience

Download the printable version of the Stewardship Examination of Conscience.

1. You shall have no gods before me.

• Do I use my time to place God as the center of my life?
• Is there a relationship, a possession, an activity that consumes an inordinate amount of my time?
• Do I use my time to pray daily to God?

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.

• Do I attribute my gifts to God or myself?

3. Keep holy the Sabbath.

• Do I use my time to ensure I attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation?
• Do I make Sunday a time of rest and prayer?
• Do I seek the sacrament of confession for times I`ve fallen or misused my time and talents?
• Do I utilize my time and talents to help my parish community, especially on Sundays

4. Honor your father and mother.

• Do I show gratitude to God and my parents for the gifts they have been in my life?
• Do I intentionally offer my time and talents in my home to foster greater love and unity between my family members?
• Do I act as a good steward towards my children, helping them see their lives as a gift from God?

5. You shall not kill.

• Do I harbour anger towards those in the parish community with whom I minister?
• Do I lose my patience with my fellow parishioners and act in an inhospitable and unloving manner?

6. You shall not commit adultery.

• Do I live the gift of chastity as proper to my state in life?
• Do I respect the sexuality of others and myself as a divine gift?

7. You shall not steal.

• Do I share the gifts and talents the Lord has given to me with others and my parish community?
• Do I appropriately use my time at work for the pay I receive?

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

• Have I gossiped or slandered my fellow parishioners?
• Have I hurt the reputation of those in my parish?

9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

• Do I honor and respect the proper boundaries of relationships?

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's possessions.

• Am I jealous of the gifts and talents other people possess?
• Am I ungrateful for the gifts the Lord has bestowed on me?
• Am I selfish, greedy, or possessive with things or relationships?
• Do I expect a return for the gift of my time and talents.

Questions for Personal Reflection

How do I spend my time – what activities do I value the most?

Do I have talents that I would like to share with my parish community?  What would I like to offer? 

What does the “Sacrament of the Present Moment” look like in my day?  Do I take the time to express gratitude to God for the present moment?

What does deep stewardship mean to me?  How does it influence and inform my parish community? 

Using a pie chart, visually reflect:

• How am I sharing my talent with the Church?
• How am I sharing my time with the Church?
• How am I sharing my treasure with the Church?
• How does this division of the pie fit into my overall life?
• What percentage of time do I devote to sharing my talents throughout the entire day? 

What do I own and what owns me?

What changes in my life is God calling me to make at this time?

Are there blockages that prevent me from embracing a life of deep stewardship?  What might assist me with incorporating stewardship into my life?

Have I ever reflected on the gifts and talents that God has bestowed on me?  How is God calling me to share these gifts?

How am I providing the vulnerable with the necessities of life (James 2:15-17)?  Do the necessities include more than food, clothing, and shelter?  Is there a provision to relieve the pain of social isolation, loneliness, lack of meaning in one’s life?

Who has been an example to me of someone who lives a saintly life, richly engaged in deep stewardship?  Can I give thanks for the inspiration and encouragement such an example provides for me?

How can I cultivate an attitude of gratitude towards God and others?

If you have any questions, please contact

Quentin Schesnuik

Associate Director - Parish Vitality & Stewardship in the Office of Formation for Discipleship

   quentins@archtoronto.org

   416-934-3400, ext. 568