Message from Sister Arlene

 A healthy family is built on a foundation of values and traits that contribute to the growth and stability of the family.  Twenty-five years ago a well-known educator and author wrote “Traits of a Healthy Family” a book requiring extensive research on the topic.  Some of the traits discovered in families who strive to “get it right” are:  communication, affirmation and support, trust, sharing time, fostering responsibility, teaching morals, enjoying traditions, sharing religion, valuing service.  Every family tries to lay the foundation for the goals of their family. 

In many ways, the parish is a family who sets its ideals to follow the traits of a healthy family.  At Our Lady of Consolation Parish we aspire to live the Stewardship Way of Life. It goes without saying that a foundation is essential in building this lifestyle.  What are the building blocks or pillars on which stewardship is built?

The four pillars are Hospitality, Prayer, Formation and Service, and they invite parishioners to live the stewardship way of life in response to their baptismal call to discipleship.  These pillars embrace the “traits” of a healthy family noted above.  How are they experienced and witnessed within the parish family?

In a hospitable parish, parishioners and guests feel they belong and are appreciated.  This is especially true if they were ever separated from the church.  Hospitality leads to a sense of ownership and personal involvement, which fosters an attitude of openness to welcome others.  Realizing that God loves us, we are called to love others.  A vibrant stewardship parish is one in which parishioners know they are welcomed, and create opportunities to cultivate a spirit of welcoming others.

Prayer is an integral part in the life of a stewardship parish.  Prayer and the sacraments prepare a soul to receive God’s abundant graces, which are necessary to grow in holiness.  Every individual in the parish embraces prayer on the journey of their spiritual life.  Prayer permeates every fiber of the parish, a living organism.  The celebration of the Eucharist is central to the worshipping community.  The liturgical prayers in the Mass flow from the heart of stewardship.  The Eucharist not only feeds us, but challenges us to share the gifts we have received with others.

Through prayer the Formation process begins.  This involves education of the mind and conversion of the heart, and is a lifelong journey.  The process invites us to move from selfishness to selflessness. The parish undertakes the task of forming faithful stewards to live a life of discipleship.  It is a collaborative effort within all the ministries to provide ongoing faith formation activities.

The pillar of Service is the component that sets the other three pillars in place: Hospitality, Prayer, and Formation.  Parishioners are willing to share their time and talent within the parish and the surrounding community.  They also reach out to the needy in the Universal Church.  In meeting the needs of the parish, true disciples extend God’s presence, love and mercy to others.  Jesus said: “I have come not to be served, but to serve.”   “It is in giving that we receive…”   (St. Francis of Assisi)

The journey toward total stewardship is a slow process.  Each person travels at their own pace, listening to the Spirit’s invitation to respond to a new way of living…

 Read more about Sister Arlene