Stewardship Minutes

Stewardship Talk
Jeanette Ryan Tuthill on 9/11/05

I am here once again to talk to all of you about my experiences with Stewardship here at Saint Nicholas. As I prepared for today I started to reflect on my last Stewardship talk which took place on Mother’s Day 2003. I had been asked several weeks before if I would like to address the Parish and I gladly said “Yes”. As is usual with a busy family { My husband Kevin and I have four sons} I waited to put the date on the Calendar. As I looked at the date I realized that it was Mother’s Day. I felt that I would need to change the date as I had never missed a Mother’s Day with my Mom. After mentioning all of this to her she told me “It’s O.K. You need to do that for the Church. There will probably be a lot of people there that day and your message will get to more people on a day like that so go ahead” I argued a bit , but believe me when I tell you that you could not win an argument with Rosemary Ryan, she usually had things her way. This was to be another of those times. So I spoke here that day and I was well received. What I did not know that day is that it was my Mothers’ last Mother’s Day as she died a few weeks later on June 1st. After her death I found paperwork that revealed that my Mother indeed knew just how precious the time was that she had given up. She had kept a secret from the entire family. She knew that she was dying of a terminal Cancer. I had always known that Stewardship and Kindness were learned best example. This was another time that I was taught a lesson. I will never forget how selfless my Mother was. She loved the Catholic Church and this was just one more way that she gave of herself. For our Family it is realizing that there are people in our lives that give up time so that we can give time to the Parish that we love. What I ask of you as a Parish Family Member is to consider whether you and your Family can set aside some time to dedicate to any one of the many fine Ministries that are so worthwhile here at Saint Nicholas. You will receive so much in the Friendships and relationships that form while you are answering the call to give back to God for all the blessings that he gives to you and your Family. Perhaps you can pick a particular cause that is important to someone whom you love and give your time in their honor or in honor of their memory.