The office of stewardship has been purchasing a diocesan wide registration for excellent webinars offered by OSV. This has been a successful venture with several benefits.
NO cost to parishes in the Diocese of Dodge City
Flexible viewing times
Parish Staff have an opportunity for formation during work hours versus home time
To continue this service, take a few moments to view the webinar schedule below. The stewardship office asks that 12 people take advantage for any session promoted.
Over Thanksgiving my wife and I ventured on Black Friday for the fun of it. Our day ended with a stop at a Barnes and Noble. Upon entering I made the comment “smell the knowledge”. Chris laughed and honestly, I have no idea what I meant. It was one of those thoughts that just came out. The point is not what I said, but what I felt entering that store. I don’t purchase many books at retail outlets, Amazon has very attractive prices on used and I have grown to love audio books. But, I love going to bookstores to walk around. The smell of coffee, rows upon rows of people that have poured their souls, thoughts and ideas into the wonderfully bound pages waiting for me to meander through to be challenged, entertained, angered and educated. Entering a book store I “feel” surrounded by wisdom and knowledge just waiting to be tapped. It is a great exercise for me.
The complete talk from guest lecturer Amy Myers at the ITV class September 28. Amy shared her witness of Gratitude as part of class. Check it out it is excellent.
“Bless us oh Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen” Wow! What an awesome prayer. I know you Catholics are used to saying this prayer at meal time, but have you ever said it in the morning? When you take a shower in the morning or put on your make-up or get dressed. Try it! “Bless us oh Lord, and these thy gifts.” The day has just begun. It has been given to us from God…how awesome. He already has it planned out. “Which we are about to receive”. God is ready to share it with us. The good, the bad and the ugly are gifts that we are going to receive. How can we get excited about the bad and the ugly…well, it’s hard? It’s a heart matter of trust and faith and believing that no matter what happens today, tomorrow or next week, these are the gifts given “from thy bounty through Christ our Lord.” He wants me to share my triumphs and struggles with him. I think that’s the key. He wants us to take our day and share it with Him. So here’s my story. Here is how thankfulness has brought a new perspective to my life and transformed my relationship with God.
On Facebook, I read again the ominous phrase “just wait until she is a teenager”. This well intentioned response was to another person, venting parental frustrations. This scenario bugs me. Number one, I do not believe venting on a public forum is wise, but more importantly, I find it nauseating how we set ourselves up for failure with our words and thoughts.
Case in point, “just wait until she is a teenager”. What do we truly say when we make the catastrophic prediction of our kids? “At 8 years old you are acting pretty jerking but you will be a total mess at 17 so this can’t be that bad”. Who in their right mind wants this kind of relationship with their kids? No one I can think of. But, are we not mentally preparing our selves for the worst when we give this kind of advice or receive it? I can say I’m out of that, I don’t want it for me or my kids. My attitude is they are the kids, and I am the adult. We will both act accordingly. I am not naïve and am well aware that kids are challenging at times, I have three, I got it. Leave no doubt though, mentally I do not want the war that most people expect before the younguns leave home.
I have been reading a lot by Seth Godin lately. This author and speaker has been very successful in the world of business helping a variety of companies and small businesses be noticed by others. At the end of the day, make money. Seth also has the ability to peer over the horizon and see what will be the future. I find his ideas fascinating and very applicable in church.
So we are in ministry, trying to promote stewardship as a way of life, all the ministries in our parishes, and evangelize at the same time. Much of this overlaps but our parishes are actively promoting one very good thing or another. What I am asked over and over is, "why don't more people show for fill in the blank ministry" and a variations of the same question. If you read anything by Seth, you will quickly learn that people are ignoring what we in church are saying. Why? Were are busy!
Sorry the audio and video don't match. Can't explain it.
Communication Framework
Written by Eric Haselhorst
Ugly to the Bones
Written by Eric Haselhorst
For those of us that have been shopping for homes, I would bet all of us have been in a home that is ugly to bones. The type of home that leaves you wondering if the architect dropped acid before putting his thoughts on paper, or a bunch of the builders drinking buddies got together and thought “hey this would look good” and proceeded to build after several cases of Natty Light. Either way, there is no amount of renovation to improve a house that is ugly to the bones.
I hate to write when I am partially annoyed but I need to get these thoughts out so my mind can find peace again. Not too long ago I heard a person say something like “A lot of good praying does, God isn’t answering”. Really? Ever think perhaps you have your answer? Oh, and how much time have you actually devoted to real prayer? Grrr. My knee jerk thought is “you spoiled bratty immature Catholic”!
comment “smell the knowledge”. Chris laughed and honestly, I have no idea what I meant. It was one of those thoughts that just came out. The point is not what I said, but what I felt entering that store. I don’t purchase many books at retail outlets, Amazon has very attractive prices on used and I have grown to love audio books. But, I love going to bookstores to walk around. The smell of coffee, rows upon rows of people that have poured their souls, thoughts and ideas into the wonderfully bound pages waiting for me to meander through to be challenged, entertained, angered and educated. Entering a book store I “feel” surrounded by wisdom and knowledge just waiting to be tapped. It is a great exercise for me.
On Facebook, I read again the ominous phrase “just wait until she is a teenager”. This well intentioned response was to another person, venting parental frustrations. This scenario bugs me. Number one, I do not believe venting on a public forum is wise, but more importantly, I find it nauseating how we set ourselves up for failure with our words and thoughts. 
small businesses be noticed by others. At the end of the day, make money. Seth also has the ability to peer over the horizon and see what will be the future. I find his ideas fascinating and very applicable in church.
wondering if the architect dropped acid before putting his thoughts on paper, or a bunch of the builders drinking buddies got together and thought “hey this would look good” and proceeded to build after several cases of Natty Light. Either way, there is no amount of renovation to improve a house that is ugly to the bones.
something like “A lot of good praying does, God isn’t answering”. Really? Ever think perhaps you have your answer? Oh, and how much time have you actually devoted to real prayer? Grrr. My knee jerk thought is “you spoiled bratty immature Catholic”!
