New associate stewardship director urges people, parishes to adopt an

‘Attitude of gratitude’

When it comes to stewardship, “Don’t overcomplicate it.”

This simple request comes from Eric Haselhorst, newly appointed associate stewardship director, who encourages individuals to take simple steps when it comes to stewardship.

“Keep it simple,” he says. “It might be an hour of adoration. It may be visiting a relative you’ve overlooked. It may even be simply recognizing that what you do for a living is a gift from God, and thanking God for being employed.”

If none of these steps include actually placing money in the collection basket – what most people associate with stewardship -- that’s because money is to stewardship what a single page of music is to the choir.

“It seems to me that perhaps people have the idea that stewardship is about money,” Haselhorst said. “The Church and parishes do need money, but the bigger picture is that it’s about being holy, becoming grateful. It’s about being a cheerful giver with everything in our life -- our time, our talent, everything.”

Haselhorst, 34, and his wife, Christina, have three children: Matthew, 8, Allison, 4, and Kara, 18 months. Since moving to Dodge City from Great Bend in mid-May, Haselhorst has been staying at the rectory in Spearville, and recently purchased a home in Dodge City. His family will join him later this month.

His responsibilities include coordinating the Stewardship Day, parish leadership stewardship education, and he will assist parishes with further implementation of stewardship goals.

“I wrote a letter to all the priests indicating that I’m willing to come out and visit with them and see what their needs are -- to make stewardship a more uniform process in the diocese,” Haselhorst explained. “I want them to know that I’m here to help them achieve their vision.”

He’ll soon begin a telephone follow-up to arrange meetings with priests and their parish leadership, during which they will discuss the needs of the parishes, and how the diocese can “facilitate their growth and the concept of stewardship.

“My vision is to promote the concept of ‘gift,’ that everything we have, and everything we become, is a gift from God. I want to help form an ‘attitude of gratitude’ that follows the concept of stewardship. Through that we can begin to show thanks to God, and to honor him for all that we’ve been given.”

If a person attempts to take an all-encompassing approach to stewardship, it can be overwhelming, he said. “Start simple. It may just mean gathering friends and praying together before you break bread. Don’t over complicate it.”

As parishes develop the concept of stewardship as a way of life, practical and tangible opportunities will become more available for all parishioners to implement and deepen their relationship with Christ.

In an earlier interview, Haselhorst noted, “I’m pretty excited about coming on board. I’m … looking forward to helping people come closer to Christ -- helping parishes and parishioners develop that relationship.”