Stewardship Renewal Letter
November 7, 2021
Dear member of the royal family of the Immaculate Conception Parish,
Yes, I refer to you. It is not a mistake; I am only half joking. Let me explain. About 16 years ago, when I was serving here at the Immaculate Conception Church as a parochial vicar, I heard a 10-year- old boy named Noah give a witness talk at one of our Sunday Masses. He spoke about how every month his parents would give him allowance. Noah said that he would keep some of it to be able to buy an occasional candy bar or soda. But more than half of it, he would give away. Some of it, he would put into a collection basket while attending our church. The other part of his monthly allowance, Noah would give to the charities, after doing some careful research and consulting his parents for advice on the most worthy causes. Hearing that, the presiding friar applauded Noah for his generosity. Then he said: “you’re still a kid, why don’t you spend the money you get on new computer games or other personal things?” Noah thought for a moment and then said in a very decisive, proud way: “I love to give and help others because doing that makes me feel like I’m a king.”
Noah was absolutely right. Living a life of gratitude, sharing one’s financial resources with one’s faith community and responding to the needs of the neighbor in need – those are the marks of a true nobility and royalty of the spirit. Indeed, when you and I were baptized, a priest anointed us with sacred chrism and prayed that you may “remain forever a member of Christ, who is Priest, Prophet, and King.”
As a baptized Christian, you are, indeed, a part of the royal family. Becoming more fully conscious of God’s blessings, living it out with generosity towards one’s parish and the larger human family – that makes your royal identity shine through.
November a special month when we count our blessings. I am grateful to God for the gift of life, for my family and friends, for the Franciscan and priestly vocation, for the beauty of the earth that nourishes and sustains us, even for challenges and obstacles along the way that makes us grow and depend on each other. I am also grateful to God for you, my fellow parishioners and members of the royal family of Immaculate Conception Parish.
I want to thank those of you who are already giving. Many of you give generously of your time, talent and treasure to enrich our community. Because of you, Immaculate Conception Parish can continue its life and the mission of building up Christ’s Body and bear witness to the Christian hope the world needs. This is so immensely important! Every act of your self-sacrifice and generosity reverberates into eternity.
I see so many opportunities for us as a parish to be Christ for others, to touch, heal and transform lives, to be a sign of hope. But to turn those opportunities into concrete steps that would get us there, also need your sustained and increased financial support.
Next week, we will provide highlights of what we have given as a community. If you have not yet committed to financially supporting our parish, I urge you to do so. Indeed, it is your opportunity to be a stakeholder in the Kingdom of God and to help continue to build Immaculate Conception into a vibrant, transformative parish. Each year you are asked to complete a Stewardship Renewal Pledge – your commitment to financially support our parish. Take some time to reflect on your present level of financial support. Please prayerfully consider increasing your donation. Remember, your weekly offertory helps pay for everything from the upkeep of our campus to programs, services, and salaries.
How much should you pledge? Pray about it, mindful of God has given you. God will never be outdone in His generosity. It will be helpful for you to review your household income. Then look at what you are presently giving. Figure out the percent you are giving. Maybe you are at the 3% level. This year consider taking a leap of faith and increase your financial pledge to 4%. Over time, the goal would be to eventually build up to a “biblical tithe” which is 10% of your income.
Stewardship pledge cards are on the website and will be available next week. We are asking every family to complete a new pledge form each year.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and for all you do for the community of Immaculate Conception.
Peace and all good,
Fr. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM
Dear member of the royal family of the Immaculate Conception Parish,
Yes, I refer to you. It is not a mistake; I am only half joking. Let me explain. About 16 years ago, when I was serving here at the Immaculate Conception Church as a parochial vicar, I heard a 10-year- old boy named Noah give a witness talk at one of our Sunday Masses. He spoke about how every month his parents would give him allowance. Noah said that he would keep some of it to be able to buy an occasional candy bar or soda. But more than half of it, he would give away. Some of it, he would put into a collection basket while attending our church. The other part of his monthly allowance, Noah would give to the charities, after doing some careful research and consulting his parents for advice on the most worthy causes. Hearing that, the presiding friar applauded Noah for his generosity. Then he said: “you’re still a kid, why don’t you spend the money you get on new computer games or other personal things?” Noah thought for a moment and then said in a very decisive, proud way: “I love to give and help others because doing that makes me feel like I’m a king.”
Noah was absolutely right. Living a life of gratitude, sharing one’s financial resources with one’s faith community and responding to the needs of the neighbor in need – those are the marks of a true nobility and royalty of the spirit. Indeed, when you and I were baptized, a priest anointed us with sacred chrism and prayed that you may “remain forever a member of Christ, who is Priest, Prophet, and King.”
As a baptized Christian, you are, indeed, a part of the royal family. Becoming more fully conscious of God’s blessings, living it out with generosity towards one’s parish and the larger human family – that makes your royal identity shine through.
November a special month when we count our blessings. I am grateful to God for the gift of life, for my family and friends, for the Franciscan and priestly vocation, for the beauty of the earth that nourishes and sustains us, even for challenges and obstacles along the way that makes us grow and depend on each other. I am also grateful to God for you, my fellow parishioners and members of the royal family of Immaculate Conception Parish.
I want to thank those of you who are already giving. Many of you give generously of your time, talent and treasure to enrich our community. Because of you, Immaculate Conception Parish can continue its life and the mission of building up Christ’s Body and bear witness to the Christian hope the world needs. This is so immensely important! Every act of your self-sacrifice and generosity reverberates into eternity.
I see so many opportunities for us as a parish to be Christ for others, to touch, heal and transform lives, to be a sign of hope. But to turn those opportunities into concrete steps that would get us there, also need your sustained and increased financial support.
Next week, we will provide highlights of what we have given as a community. If you have not yet committed to financially supporting our parish, I urge you to do so. Indeed, it is your opportunity to be a stakeholder in the Kingdom of God and to help continue to build Immaculate Conception into a vibrant, transformative parish. Each year you are asked to complete a Stewardship Renewal Pledge – your commitment to financially support our parish. Take some time to reflect on your present level of financial support. Please prayerfully consider increasing your donation. Remember, your weekly offertory helps pay for everything from the upkeep of our campus to programs, services, and salaries.
How much should you pledge? Pray about it, mindful of God has given you. God will never be outdone in His generosity. It will be helpful for you to review your household income. Then look at what you are presently giving. Figure out the percent you are giving. Maybe you are at the 3% level. This year consider taking a leap of faith and increase your financial pledge to 4%. Over time, the goal would be to eventually build up to a “biblical tithe” which is 10% of your income.
Stewardship pledge cards are on the website and will be available next week. We are asking every family to complete a new pledge form each year.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and for all you do for the community of Immaculate Conception.
Peace and all good,
Fr. Jacek Orzechowski, OFM