Generations – Honoring the past … embracing the future

 In 2005, Fr. Bob Penhallurick called together a group of parishioners to initiate a fresh approach to stewardship in our Parish. As a result of the work of this group and the commitment of our parishioners and staff a new stewardship program was born and named Generations – honoring the past … embracing the future.

 The goal of the program is to encourage the involvement of all parishioners, on a number of levels, in the communal and spiritual life of the parish. The program’s first objective is to welcome new and old to the Sunday Liturgy, and to invite active participation. The second goal  is to encourage involvement in St Francis de Sales’ various ministries and volunteer committees. The third goal is to increase the amount and consistency of the offertory contributions which sustain the Parish infrastructure. By bringing together these donations of time, talent and treasure, Generations makes it possible to maintain and develop the spiritual and communal environment of our Parish.

 

Giving of our Time and Talents

Our many ministries create a network of support for our Parishioners that encompass every aspect of life from the cradle to the grave. When a family registers, our Welcome Committee reaches out to them. Our ministries help with preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage and the Sacrament of the Sick.

 

Every member of St Francis parish possesses unique skills and abilities and these are of utmost value to the community. Our ministries and committees are always in need of the wealth of resources our parishioners can provide. Do you love children, clerical work, cooking, decorating, financial planning, organizing events, sports, listening, visiting people in hospital or their homes? These are just a few of the talents needed by our parish and school to make our committees and ministries a success.

 

Another area where your time and talents are greatly needed is at Sunday Mass. The Generations program encourages participation at Holy Mass that goes beyond attendance. People are needed to serve as Ushers, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Lectors, Greeters and Cantors. By becoming an active participant in the Sunday Liturgy, you make Holy Mass a more meaningful experience for you and those around you. We have so much to offer one another and the wider community. Please continue to stay involved in our ministries, or if you are not, please consider becoming involved. How you choose to give of your time and talent is ultimately connected to the reasons for being in this world. God has given us time and talents, not only for our good, but for the good of others as well, and ultimately to lead us by a holy life into the Kingdom of God.

 

Giving of our Treasure

The Generations program is not an additional request for money; it is merely a more systematic approach to handling the Sunday offertory donations. We are providing more ways for you to plan your giving and inviting you to prayerfully plan your giving for the year. Our statistics also show that about 1 in 5 of the households/families in the pews is not supporting the parish financially at all. The program is designed to encourage this group to begin giving more consistently. It is the financial commitment of parishioners like you that allows the Parish to proactively plan for the future.

 

The monies which are pledged during the annual campaign are also responsible for the operation of Parish ministries, financial support for our school and the upkeep of buildings and grounds. A predictable giving rate is critical in the Parish’s ability to create a realistic annual budget, to plan for the future growth of the parish and to maintain the ministries vital to our community of faith. This is why we ask you to make a pledge to tapestry every year.

 

In order to make things convenient for our Parishioners we offer several giving options. The most efficient is Automatic Withdrawal, which takes your pledge directly from your checking or savings account and allows you to charge it to your credit card. Automatic Withdrawal is easy for you, and it creates significant time and cost savings for the Parish office. You can still choose the traditional Sunday envelopes which are sent out to parishioners if you wish.

 

We believe that as the Generations program takes root in it will strengthen the fabric of St Francis de Sales Parish. Through participation at Holy Mass, serving in ministries, volunteering with committees and making financial contributions, our sense of community will be deepened and we will appreciate even more the strong and vital community of the Faithful that we are. Please consider pledging your valuable gifts of time, talent and treasure to St Francis de Sales Parish.