02-20-11 - St. Thomas More Church

Living a Life of Stewardship:
Mission Trip Preparation
Two young St. Thomas More parishioners will soon be traveling
abroad to help those in some of the world’s poorest areas. If you
would like to help defray the costs of their upcoming mission
trips, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Sarah Sikora is a 2006 graduate of St. Thomas More School
and is currently a freshman at Saint Louis University.
She will be traveling in March to the Toledo district
of Belize to work in conjunction with members of the
local St. Peter Claver Parish, assisting Mayan
villagers there. Funds are needed to offset her travel
costs and for much needed supplies and building
materials needed to complete construction projects. Donations
can be sent to: Sarah Sikora,1002 Treadway, Munster, IN 46321.
Questions? Contact: sarah5900@comcast.net or (219) 512-0494.
Allison Bickel is a 2003 graduate of St. Thomas
More School and will be graduating in June with a
degree in Secondary Education from Indiana
University. She will be traveling in June to Tanzania
with Child Reach International as a member of their
volunteer team, working to improve the education and healthcare
for children in rural communities there. Funds are needed for
children’s healthcare items, books and building supplies to
complete school renovations, with hopes of improving school
attendance. To learn more about, or to donate to, Ali’s trip go to:
http://www.active.com/donate/FuturebuildingTZ/ABickel3
Feeding God’s Children
Volunteer with Catholic Order of
Foresters, St. Mathias Court 102
members as we participate in
Feeding God’s Children, Catholic
Order of Foresters’ national
community service day. Together,
we hold the power to change things
for the better.
National Community Service Day
Saturday, May 7, 2011
from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
join us at St. Michael Church Cemetery, Schererville, IN to
beautify the cemetery grounds.
Please bring a canned good to contribute to the needy in our area.
Volunteer alone, as a family, with friends, or classmates.
We welcome all helpers—youth and adults, Court 102 members
and non-members.
Refreshments will be served.
To volunteer, or to learn more, contact:
Julie Buksa at (219) 922-1182 or 4juldan@sbcglobal.net
Respond before March 7, 2011 to receive a free
participant Feeding God’s Children T-shirt.
f{tÜ|Çz
THE JOY OF
fàxãtÜwá{|Ñ
“…Those who believed shared.” Acts
There are three basic attitudes that describe stewardship:
1. Acknowledging God as the provider of all we have.
2. Being grateful for his many gifts and blessings.
3. Giving a portion back to God through our offerings of
time, talent and treasure.
Our parish is beginning the Stewardship of Treasure phase of
our Parish Stewardship process. The first step in this phase is
to reflect upon our attitude towards giving.
How do you decide what to give?
• Do you put $5 in the collection no matter when or where
you attend Mass?
• Do you contribute only when Fr. Mike convinces you that
the parish has a particular need?
• Do you feel that you are doing your part by paying a
sizable tuition to send your child to a Catholic school?
• Do you put in the collection whatever you happen to have
in your wallet or purse?
• Do you and your spouse prayerfully and thoughtfully
regularly review your income, and select a percentage to
give back to God in thanksgiving for the many blessings
God has given you?
The last choice illustrates the concept of sacrificial giving.
This concept involves contributing from one’s substance rather
than one’s abundance. It’s giving “off the top” rather than from
what is left over. It may also involve forgoing some pleasure or
luxury. Have you ever calculated how much you spend each
month on gourmet coffee, cable, dining out, or cell phone
packages in comparison to how much
you give back to God?
During the coming week, we invite you to reevaluate your
motivation for sharing your treasure with your parish. Christ
does not condemn our possession of material goods, but
He pronounces harsh words for those who use them in
a selfish way.
Does Your Child Need a Coat?
If you have a child who wears a size 6 to 14,
and is in need of a winter coat, please contact
Catholic Charities in Gary at
(219) 886-3549, # 221 for help.
You will be asked to provide proof of income,
current Indiana photo ID, and either birth
certificates for your children or proof of food stamps.
Page 10