Stewardship Minutes

Stewardship Talk
Ron Hess
SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2006

A long time ago… but not at all very far away, I arrived at St. Nicholas parish from California. I was a “filling-station-catholic” – You know, one of those people who get a week’s worth of inspiration from a single Sunday Mass, without any further involvement.

Back in those days, St. Nicholas had two priests and two sisters on staff, plus a combined receptionist/bookkeeper, and a building custodian. The pastor was the ebullient Father Tommy Summers, known to many as “the Lebanese Leprechaun”. We had one lay lector, who was also the sole extraordinary Eucharistic minister. He was a saintly man of good humor and generosity, named Leo Varlen… the kind of person whom many of us would like to become. But I digress…

Father Summers was an engaging spirit, and we conversed often. As a result of his encouragement, I broke my old mold and became INVOLVED, at least to a small extent, as a member of the Finance Committee. Then I learned that I was expected to represent that committee on the Parish Council – even more involvement.

A few months later, on a Saturday morning as I was on the roof of my house cleaning gutters, my late wife opened a window to tell me that I had a telephone call from Father Summers. I told her to take a message and I would call him when I came down from the roof. (Pause) She returned to the window and said that Father Summers wanted me to assist him in the distribution of communion that evening. (Pause) Fearing a bolt of lightning in my exposed position, I told her loudly and earnestly “NO!” She quickly disappeared from the window, only to return in a moment to tell me that I needed to arrive a half-hour before Mass for special instructions. The clouds were gathering, and I quickly came down from the roof and went for cover.

From Eucharistic minister, it was a small step to become a lector, and as time passed, even smaller steps to become involved in fund-raising projects and strategic planning. Without even noticing it, I had become HOOKED. I enjoyed contributing to this warm parish family, and my family enjoyed the ministry of others, as my youngest child was baptized here, my two daughters were married here, and we gratefully accepted the ministry of MANY others following the untimely death of my first wife.

Over the years, I have remained a Eucharistic minister, and am now a member of the family choir, the Stewardship Committee, and the Mardi Gras auction committee. I have been a stagehand, an actor, and a strong back when needed. And I continue to enjoy it. To me, “Stewardship” is little more than just Giving and Getting. It’s a blessing, and it’s fun. If you haven’t had this experience, come on in. You will enjoy it!

I’ll be in the back after church if you want to talk after Mass. Thanks.