I always find myself renewed and restored after meeting with people who are focused on stewardship for themselves and for their parishes. The positive energy certainly helps, but I think the greater impact comes from the genuine desire to make our parishes better by addressing challenges and sharing successes as a team. Rather than talking about “returning to the Lord with increase”, you are living it and doing it. This attitude and group energy is the reason I look forward to International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC) conferences and events.
Last year at the ICSC conference in San Diego I had the opportunity to meet with many parishes and dioceses. It was enervating to see Fr. Andrew Kemberling and Mila Glodava during their book signing at the OSV booth. Fr. Andrew and Mila, along with the broader team at St. Thomas More parish in Centennial, CO have fostered an active and engaged community through their work. And last year at ICSC they were excited to be able to help others based on what they had learned.
Candelario deLeon and Ethel Dulak from the Diocese of Corpus Christi talked about the work they had been doing with each parish to help them create plans, then start very basic efforts to engage the parishioners at the parish. This process evolved over several years and has helped to bring the Catholic community in the diocese together .
Rick Fersch and Scott Bader from the Archdiocese of Seattle provided guidance for both parish and diocesan work. They also shared information about their exciting new program for leadership development.
These examples and many more individual meetings are the type of information that people share. And they are excited about the energy at their parishes and organizations.
My wife and I have been members of many different parishes as we have moved to different locations in the country. The impact of parishes and dioceses who focus on engagement and hospitality is dramatic. When I participate in regional stewardship events and at ICSC I am reminded that I have a responsibility to help. I also am reminded that there is a strong community available for support and that as a community we can advance our parishes and the Catholic faith.
What about your experience? What have you heard at past events? What are you hearing this year?
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