From the Pastor’s Desk: November 4, 2018

     It is Ministry Fair time!!! An opportunity to embrace the life of Stewardship – Time, Talent, and Treasure!
After weeks of preparation and much anticipation, this weekend we have an incredible opportunity to respond to the gift of stewardship by sharing our time and talent with the ministry of your choice. “Stewardship is a way of life, is a thanksgiving way of life, living life as God intended it to be lived. A Stewardship Way of Life changes the hearts and minds of the faithful, and when embraced by all, the Church will more powerfully live Christian discipleship today.”  Those profound words by Msgr. McGread find even more significant application in today’s Gospel.
 
     Discipleship for us is such a gift that allows us to encounter Jesus in our lives. When the encounter is truly authentic it brings about conversion of life. "'He is One and there is no other than he. And 'to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."  This is the response given by a scribe in today’s Gospel. His deep desire to be a follower of the law of God brought him closer to the Kingdom of God. What is our understanding of the Kingdom of God in our relationship with God and each other in the context of a life of stewardship?
 
     This year’s stewardship theme is: “Serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2).  In the last few weeks we were invited to prayerfully discern the way each one of us serves the Lord. Every day, every one of us receives countless favors from God as the Lord serves us with utmost generosity.  In many different ways, He gives us “a land flowing with milk and honey.” Today it is our opportunity to express our own generous response to blessings we receive from the Lord. 
 
     There are three areas of stewardship: time, talent, and treasure. This weekend we focus on Time and Talent.  We attempt to utilize our time for prayer, reflection, and works of mercy and ministry. Our talents are to be used to glorify the Giver by using them wherever they are needed, in our parish or in our community. Next week we will focus on the third area of stewardship – treasure. 
 
     Stewardship drives through the essence and purpose of our lives and challenges us to a genuine response – what matters most; what matters least.  The sacrifice of our commitment to stewardship is seen as a worthwhile price to pay and will be rewarded by entry into a new and altogether better life. It is not to say that we can “buy” our way to heaven, but rather as an expression of our gratitude, to grow in holiness in placing our total trust in God, who is the giver of all and always rewards those who are generous. That is to say to “serve the Lord with gladness.”
 
     I am happy to share with you that we were selected to participate with the Tim Tebow Foundation as the official host church for the 2019 Night to Shine Celebration. This special event is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love for people with special needs ages 14 years and older. This year the event will take place simultaneously around the world on February 8, 2019. We have a great group of dedicated volunteers who are already working hard in the early stages to prepare for the event.  If you would like to get more information and/or participate, please contact Jackie Arsenault at the Parish Office via telephone 904.282.0439 or email Jackie@stlukesparish.org.
 
     My dear parishioners, I need your stewardship commitment in building our community.  Let your gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure become the means of reaching out to others, and in doing so, live your lives in such a way that when people encounter you, they encounter Jesus Himself.
 
Please be creative and generous with your responses and commitments.
 
With prayers,
Fr. Andy