Stewardship: A call to service and unity in the Church
Bishop Michael Olson gives the keynote address at the Diocesan Day of Stewardship at St. Mark Catholic Church in Argyle, Saturday March 8, 2025. (NTC/Rodger Mallison)
ARGYLE — “Our work here is not only to reflect on how we develop as a Church, but also how we serve Christ in the world among us today,” said Bishop Michael Olson during the March 8 Diocesan Day of Stewardship held at St. Mark Church in Argyle.
The event, which centered around the development of the Church and its mission in today's world, touched on the true meaning of ‘stewardship’ and its application in multicultural communities.
After celebrating a morning Mass, Bishop Olson delivered a keynote to the diocesan participants.
Jesus invites each of us to focus on our neighbors and not on ourselves when sharing the gifts He has given us, Bishop Olson said. “The world needs us to be the Church we say we are. The temptation for us is to fall into the false narrative that demands we choose between two extremes, when Christ teaches us to serve everyone,” he said. “This entails awareness, character development, and leadership.”
To follow His example, the faithful must lead the way, both in word and action, by example.
“We are expected to lead as Christ led, in service and love for our neighbors, being mindful of the poor and of justice as well, celebrating the gifts God has given us and placing them at the service of the Church, which is all of us,” Bishop Olson said.
After the keynote, attendees were separated into breakout rooms to listen to talks from Patti Maldonado of Our Sunday Visitor (OSV), who led the talk on “Stewardship in the Hispanic Community,” and Miguel Mireles from the Shrine of Blessed Stanley Rother, who gave the talk “Serving God, Serving Others.”
In her talk, Maldonado tackled the true definition of stewardship.
“Stewardship is giving from the heart,” Maldonado affirmed. “Many think it’s only about contributing something financial, which is only part of the concept, but stewardship is much more than that. It’s about recognizing the gifts and talents God has given us and putting them at the service of others.”
Maldonado said the Hispanic community has grown exponentially in recent years and provides a valuable service to the Church.
“The concept of stewardship in the Hispanic community is practiced differently than in other communities, as it places considerable emphasis on working together,” she explained. “If there is a need in the parish, Hispanics join together to raise funds, organizing food sales or other events, without a second thought.
“Contributing time and talents to community service and Church activities are often considered as important as financial donations,” Maldonado continued.
However, Maldonado acknowledged that one of the main challenges within our multicultural Church is the diversity of approaches that exist among communities as they work and serve together. A parishioner from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Fort Worth shared her experience dealing with the procedures and documentation required to organize events. “Sometimes it's frustrating because we're not used to [all these rules and regulations]; we just want to put our work to the service of others,” she said.
Given this reality, Maldonado said cultivating collaborative relationships with pastors and religious leaders, being open to feedback, and working collaboratively with other communities is key: “It's essential to be willing to listen and collaborate.”
For her part, Claudia Chávez, a parishioner and lector at All Saints Parish in Fort Worth, stressed patience and understanding when speaking with diverse communities about the nature of stewardship. “It is essential to understand why each community follows certain processes. It is not about doing things our way, but about reaching a mutual agreement where each community feels included and can contribute its gifts and talents for the good of the Church,” Chávez said.
Upon considering how one may develop the character and leadership necessary to serve others, attendees suggested: prayer; placing one's own needs and those of others before the Lord; never ceasing to develop one's faith; allowing God to use us as His instruments; and questioning worldly influences.
Addressing the question about how to foster service within the community, Miguel Mireles said stewardship is a concrete action.
“Telling someone sincerely, ‘I need you,’ makes them feel, ‘They see something in me that I can provide.’ They hear the call and are invited to respond with a yes,” he explained. Maldonado also added the importance of unity in this process: “We are here as one and we give what we have; we are one and we give as one.”