Church
of St. Leo the Great
Time,
Talent, & Treasure
Giving
Guide
The
U.S. Bishops Pastoral Letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response,
introduces the subject of stewardship on the foundation of
these three primary convictions:
•
Mature disciples make a conscious, firm decision,
carried out in action, to be followers of Jesus Christ no matter
the cost to themselves.
•
Beginning in conversion, change of mind and heart,
this commitment is expressed not in a single action, nor even
in a number of actions over a period of time, but in an entire
way of life. It means committing one’s very self to the Lord.
•
Stewardship is an expression of discipleship, with
the power to change how we understand and live out our lives.
Disciples who practice stewardship recognize God as the origin
of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all they have and
are and will be. They are deeply aware of the truth that “The
Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who
dwell in it” (Ps 24:1). They know themselves to be recipients
and caretakers of God’s many gifts. They are grateful for what
they have received and eager to cultivate their gifts out of love
for God and one another.
These
three statements from the U.S. Bishops summarize the “big picture”
of stewardship and the ideal we should be moving toward. The parish
of St Leo the Great offers these service opportunities to you
as one of the means you can use to cultivate your talents and
use them to enrich this community of faith.
PASTORAL
PLANNING AREAS
•
Finance Council Members
- Council members
are parishioners with a background in accounting and finances.
The members of the council provide input, feedback and monitoring
of the budget of St. Leo the Great. The council meets once per
year to approve the annual budget and additionally as needed.
It receives monthly financial reports to oversee all the actual
income and expenses and to make sound decisions about future budgets.
•
Parish Council Members
- Members of
the Parish Council are asked to serve a three-year term as the
eyes, ears and voice of the community. The members then pass along
the needs and desires of the parishioners to the pastor and parish
staff so that they are enabled to make better decisions. Each
year three new members join the council after a nomination and
approval process. The council, which meets on the second Monday
of the month, currently consists of nine parishioners and three
ex-officio members.
•
Stewardship Committee Members
- The Stewardship
Committee seeks to empower the heart and soul of the parishioners
via active participation in the community life of the parish.
The committee works to encourage parishioners to be active members
of the parish giving their time, talent and treasure to enable
the community to flourish for years to come.
OFFICE
SUPPORT
•
Collection Counters
- The Collection Counters meet weekly on Monday mornings to count
the donations from the previous week.
•
Office Assistants
- Office Assistants aid the secretary with various office duties.
•
Technology Providers -
Individuals who share their expertise in areas such as email,
web design and library cataloguing aid in keeping the parish current.
MAINTENANCE
•
Physical Plant Maintenance
Providers - Individuals
who are able to perform odd jobs, as needed, serve to maintain
the safety and beauty of the parish buildings. Handy skills to
have are knowledge of carpentry, gardening, plumbing, painting,
and/or electrical wiring.
LITURGICAL
MINISTRIES
Liturgical
Ministers serve the community during the Eucharistic Liturgy,
the Mass. This area is for people who are fully initiated (except
for acolyte and choir members) and have an aptitude for public
speaking, singing, quick-thinking, smiling and leadership. Each
of these ministries does require some pre-Mass preparation. Training
is provided for all of the listed ministries.
•
Acolytes
- Acolytes or Altar Servers assist the presider during the Mass.
•
Children’s Liturgy of the
Word Presider
- Presiders lead the children in their own celebration of the
Word of God during Children’s Liturgy of the Word.
•
Choir Members
- Members of the choir lead the community in song.
•
Eucharistic Ministers
- Eucharistic Ministers distribute communion to the congregation.
•
Lectors
- Lectors bring the Word of God alive for the assembly.
•
Ushers -
Ushers welcome people, distribute worship aids, assist late arrivals
to locate a seat, take up the collection and hand out bulletins.
LITURGY
RELATED AREAS
•
Altar Society
- Society members are caretakers of the church interior and its
furnishings. Members of this group may sew altar cloths and other
linens, wash linens used throughout the church and clean the church.
•
Environment and Art Committee
- Committee members
enrich the worship space of our community with liturgically appropriate
decorations. The committee arranges flowers, hangs banners and
provides ideas for the church environment.
•
Hospitality Volunteers
- This group
of volunteers assist with the hospitality service after each Sunday
Liturgy. Roles include baking and preparing foods, clean up and
washing the plates, bowls and beverage containers. Volunteers
usually serve one Mass on one weekend per month.
OUTREACH
MINISTRIES
•
Homebound Ministers
- Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound visit and bring the Eucharist
to our parishioners who are unable to attend Mass. This ministry
is indispensable to a parish. All fully initiated parishioners
are invited to be homebound ministers.
•
St. Vincent de Paul Society
- The Society
heads the parish outreach to the poor in our community. Our chapter
of the Society meets twice monthly and asks for contributions
on the fifth Sundays so that they can take care of those in need.
The society occasionally asks for volunteers for the St. Vincent
de Paul Dining Room on San Pablo Avenue.
•
Communications Committee
– This team will
be responsible for “getting the word out” about events at St.
Leo’s or sponsored by St. Leo’s. The communications would be to
other media such as diocesan and local newspapers and internet
billboards. Email blasts to parishioners, along with phone trees
and letters may also be useful.
LIFELONG
CATECHESIS MINISTRIES
•
Catechists
- In general, catechists are witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. Initial training will be provided with periodic follow-up
training and formation sessions. Individuals may choose to work
in the following areas: sacramental preparation, on-going Christian
Enrichment for children, youth or adults or family catechesis.
•
Coordinator of Adult Events
- Coordinators
will arrange, schedule, promote and facilitate periodic adult
events. These events may include book review/discussions, movie
review/discussions, or speaker/topical issue discussions which
take place on the church campus or offsite. Events may be sponsored
by St Leo’s or other groups.
•
Initiation Team Members
- Team members
are catechists who focus on the process of initiating adults or
children into Catholic Christianity via the four phases of the
catechumenate process of conversion.
•
Returning Catholics Series
Facilitators
- Schedule, promote and host this series of weekly discussions
surrounding the reasons people may leave the church, reasons to
return to the church and things that have changed in their absence.
We have educational resources and speakers available. The last
week is the parish communal Reconciliation Service to seal and
sanctify a person’s return.
•
Scripture Study Facilitators
- Facilitate
discussions and study of our sacred scriptures. Currently, two
Scripture Study groups meet on a regular basis, and others may
be formed as desired. Vatican II encouraged Catholics to read
and study the Bible. As a guide, you will be asked to prepare
sessions. This preparation alone will enhance your knowledge of
the Word of God. Preparatory materials are available.
•
Theology on Tap Team
- This team is an example of the future of the Catholic Church.
Their job is to arrange dates, schedule speakers, advertise events
and host/introduce theological events at a local pub. This dynamic
ministry needs people who are willing to work outside the church
for the church.
PRAYER
MINISTRIES
•
Christian Meditation Leaders
- Mediation leaders
guide a small group on a spiritual journey of attentiveness and
response to God’s Spirit. Meditation is one of the oldest methods
of prayer and many find it an excellent method to deepen one’s
relationship with God. Leaders should be experienced in the art
of meditation.
•
Evening Prayer Presiders
- Presiders or
leaders of evening prayer ensure the smooth flow of the prayer
service. We offer evening prayer during the Advent/Christmas and
Lent/Easter seasons.
•
Small Christian Community
Facilitator -
This facilitator position is integral to the development and maintenance
of Small Christian Communities or Home Churches. This ministry
can greatly enhance the life of a parish community.
AN
ADDITIONAL
AREA OF MINISTRY
•
Saturday Church Sitters
- These
people sit in the church for an hour or so on a Saturday afternoon
between 12 noon and 3:30PM. This service opportunity developed
as a result of parishioners wanting to make the church more available
to members of the parish and the neighborhood. Church sitters
provide a presence in the open church. This task is great for
all adults in the parish because it allows you some real quiet
time for prayer and reflection.
MINISTRIES
WISH LIST
The
following are service opportunities that the parish would like
to see happen.
Could
you be interested in starting one of these services?
•
Prayer Ministry Team Members
- Team
members pray for another parishioner, couple or family who is/are
preparing for the reception of one or more sacraments. There are
no meetings.
FINANCIAL
SUPPORT AREA
Please
consider your financial commitment to the Parish of St. Leo the
Great. As you consider remember that trust in God must be a part
of the way we live. God, who makes the flowers so beautiful and
provides for the needs of the animals in the field, will surely
take care of those created in the image and likeness of God. Give
in a way which is planned, proportionate to your income and sacrificial.
Remember, you are asked to give an equal amount to other charities
such as the Annual Bishop’s Appeal, Catholic Charities, and other
charities of your choosing. The following is an example of various
levels of weekly parish commitment for a household income of $30,000.00
per year.
1.0%
1.5% 2.0% 2.5% 3.0% 3.5% 4.0% 4.5% 5.0%
$6.00
$9.00 $12.00 $14.00 $17.00 $20.00 $23.00 $26.00 $29.00
The
ultimate giving goal is 5.0% to your parish and 5.0% to other
charities.
12/29/08
