Bishop Gilmore, in his opening address, spoke to us about our differences and that he was comforted by the richness of these differences, the different gifts and opportunities that provide an amazing sketch of our faith. Our faith allows us to understand that God provides the diversity, the uniqueness to all of us, not in a haphazard manner, but rather in a very planned manner and with this understanding, then, we are able to better grasp how stewardship affects our lives. Bishop Gilmore also reminded us that as a result of these differences, God is speaking individually to each of us heart to heart, calling us to our own personal vocation and this personal vocation is continually being developed, shaped, and discerned through the stewardship process.

Evident during the stewardship conference were many promising signs that discipleship is alive and that many of the people throughout this diocese are hungering for an environment in which each of us can explore our personal vocation with God, each of us in our own very unique way. The presenters and speakers, the entertainer, the facilitators, all gifted with special talents contributed to this environment. The participants, also gifted with unique talents, also contributed to this environment.

The sharing of self, when David and Glenna told us about their stewardship journey, gives us the view that everything will not always be perfect in our lives, but with faith in Jesus Christ, we too can become better stewards. Jose and Maria spoke about their stewardship journey, about the gifts they have received and about how we too must be always willing and able to present back to God our presents as an indication of our gratitude to our gracious God. Frs. Lies, Fahey, and Beat enthusiastically proclaimed their belief in the stewardship way of life with personal stories, information, and challenges that each of us can take home and develop in our daily lives. Marta, Jodi, Gary and the other workshop speakers, building on personal experiences and their understanding of what stewardship means to their lives, were evangelizers to each of us. During the lunch break we were entertained by Marshal Allen Bailey. While I must admit that the original idea was to provide entertainment, I was amazed with the stewardship message Allen left, at least with me. He is truly a talented storyteller, a singer, and poet, one who has come to understand his giftedness, and who willingly and passionately shares his art with others.

Each of us is reminded from all of the speakers and entertainers that we too, are gifted, that we are called to explore our personal vocation, to develop it, to share it. No two of the speakers brought the same package of gifts to the conference and no two other people, husband and wife, brother and sister, priest and nun, will be able to share their giftedness in the exact same way. However, that is God’s plan, and it is our challenge as Christian stewards to discover the will of the Lord in our lives.

The stewardship gathering was truly a school of discernment for all of us gathered there on Saturday and I want to thank all of them for their participation. I pray that each of us, present and not present that day, will be reminded constantly of the painting of the ear, a reminder to listen carefully to where Christ is leading each of us today. I pray that each of us will, in daily prayer, continue to delve deeply into the mystery of our personal vocation, and that we will ask the questions necessary to help us grow ever closer in our spiritual relationship with God. Stewardship is alive, and I pray that we will allow it to continue to touch and bless each of us in our daily lives.