Welcome to the first issue of our new bi-monthly stewardship newsletter!

As our parish community continues to grow and develop stewardship as a way of life, we recognize the need for increased communication with you. This communication should help us to better understand who we are and what we are doing as individual members of Christ’s family. Through this newsletter, I hope to open new doors of communication and introduce you, in a much more intimate way, to the various ministries and organizations at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

I hope the newsletter will give us all a better sense of our common identity as members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. I pray that it will be a vehicle through which you are kept informed, your spiritual growth is challenged, and you are encouraged to become more actively involved in parish life.

Another way I hope to improve our parish’s communication efforts is through a comprehensive parish survey that will be conducted this summer. You should be receiving a survey in the mail sometime in July. Through

the survey, I want to hear from you regarding our parish and its future. A survey will be mailed to each home, and then I will ask you to take the time to fill it out and return it as soon as possible. Your input will be very important, and it will give the Pastoral Council and me a better understanding of your thoughts about our parish.

JULY2012

A LETTER FROM OUR PASTORWelcome to Our New Parish Stewardship Newsletter

Saint Francis of Assisi

catholic community

page 2What Does

Stewardship Mean at St. Francis

page 6Keeping Our Stewardship

Commitments in the Summertime

page 4New Religious

Education Year Just Around the Corner

page 3Wedding Ministry

page 7Reaching Out to Our Community

JULY2012

Dear Parishioners,

continued on back cover

What Does Stewardship Mean at St. Francis

What do you think of when you hear the word

“stewardship”?Do you think it is another

way to talk about money? Do you quickly dismiss it as a “Protestant” notion?

Actually, stewardship is a concept that is scripturally based and absolutely vital to our life as Catholics. In the very first book of the Old Testament, Genesis 1:28, God says, “Be fertile and multiply. Fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and all the living things that move on the earth.”

What does that mean to us today? It simply means that God is telling us, “This is yours; take care of it.” One of the first things God tells us to do is to be good stewards of the gifts He has entrusted to us!

The Old Testament is not the only place where references to stewardship are found. In fact, of the 36 parables in the New Testament, more than half of them deal with time, talent, possessions or money. If Jesus spoke of stewardship that much, it should be a very important part of our lives!

As Catholics, we refer to the three facets of stewardship as Time, Talent and Treasure. Although these are three concrete ways to speak of and measure stewardship, the American Catholic Bishops have told us that stewardship is part of discipleship. Stewardship is a way of responding to God’s call in every aspect of our lives.

One point cannot be over-emphasized: We are taught by the scriptures and Church traditions that stewardship is primarily based on our need

to give in gratitude, not on the Church’s need to receive. Of course, the Church at-large and our parish specifically will always need money. However, we are not asked to give simply to defray costs and fund charitable programs – instead, we are asked to remember our need to gratefully return a portion of our time, talent, and treasure to God in recognition

of all that He has given to us. It is important to remember that stewardship

is a way of life, not a program. True Catholic Stewardship involves an ongoing call to live as followers of Christ. It takes time to find and define personal goals. You can begin by examining your personal commitments to the parish. In what way do you live your faith in your daily life with your family and friends? How much time do you spend in daily prayer, going to Mass or being involved in parish ministries and activities? What percentage of your income should you give back to God every week? What talents do you have that could be used to strengthen our parish family?

In the coming months, we will be increasing and intensifying our education and communication on stewardship. We will be coming to a better understanding of how stewardship is a way of responding to God’s call to discipleship. With God’s help, changes will occur in each of our hearts as we devote ourselves to a stewardship renewal within our parish. Examine how you are currently responding to God’s call to stewardship. If God called you home tomorrow, would he proclaim, “Well done, my good and faithful servant?”

Saint Francis of Assisi

It is important to remember that stewardship is a way of life, not a program. True Catholic Stewardship involves an

ongoing call to live as followers of Christ.2

Wedding Ministry Provides Opportunities for Re-Evangelization, Revenue for Parish

JUNE 2012

Given the location and beauty of St. Francis of Assisi

Catholic Church, it is no surprise that dozens of Catholic couples from outside the parish request to be married here every year.

Each year, an average of 30 couples join together in Holy Matrimony at St. Francis, and almost all are from outside the parish.

“We’re definitely a destination wedding location,” says Katie Christensen, the Pastoral Associate who also acts as the Wedding Coordinator for all parish weddings. “The fact that we’re here in the beautiful Tahoe area, that our church is beautiful and that there are a lot of Catholics out there looking for a beautiful site for their weddings means we get a lot of attention.”

Since Fr. Bill opened the parish to weddings for Catholics outside the parish, the Wedding Ministry provides a unique opportunity for evangelization. Sadly these days, many of those approaching our parishes about the Sacrament have been away from the Church for many years. Accordingly, Fr. Bill and the members of the Wedding Ministry see their work as a key opportunity for re-evangelization.

“So many couples nowadays aren’t attending church on a regular basis,” says Beth Krewedl, who serves as the main Marriage Preparation coordinator with her husband, Dieter. “So, we see this is as a huge opportunity to draw them back. We like our couples to

have a fabulous experience, and Fr. Bill is so great to work with. I think that we bring a lot of them back into the Church through our ministry.”

In addition to evangelizing those who come to St. Francis of Assisi to be married, the church also receives significant revenues from weddings held at the parish.

“Hosting weddings throughout the summer is an excellent opportunity for us to be able to fund a lot of our parish’s outreach programs,” Katie says. “People might be surprised to

realize how much outreach work there is to be done around here, even though this is a resort area. With that in mind, we remain very much interested in this being a popular wedding venue.”

Aside from the wonderful venue St. Francis of Assisi offers couples, the Wedding Ministry also helps parish couples forge an even stronger bond prior to their wedding day. Parishioners of St. Francis take a compatibility assessment, go on an Engaged Encounter Retreat, and meet for marriage preparation with the Krewedls. The couples coming from outside the parish are required to work with the parish in their hometown, as well. This requirement can often serve as a way of getting them reintroduced to parish life and Catholics in their area.

“The first thing I ask them is what parish they go to, and that tends to get the ball rolling one way or another,” Beth says.

Once the preparation work is done, whether at St. Francis or at another parish, the couple works with Katie to plan their wedding liturgy. They spend time learning about the different readings options, music and more.

Throughout the process of preparing and planning, rehearsing, and the nuptial liturgy itself, Beth and Katie agree: this is remarkable ministry to be a part of.

“I feel blessed to be able to see the transformation in these people,” Katie says. “It’s truly special to be a part of.”

“I feel blessed to be able to see the transformation in these people. It’s truly special to be

a part of.” Katie Christensen, Pastoral Associate

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Registration for the 2012-13 year in Religious Education is

now open. To sign up your child, please contact Jodi in the parish

office at 775-831-0490.

New Religious Education Year Just Around the Corner

Summer is in full swing, but the Religious Education department at St. Francis is already

gearing up for a new year of educating and forming our parish youth in the Faith

The 2012-13 religious education year is set to kick off Sunday, Sept. 16, with the Family Sunday Sundae Party, an event for all of the students and their families. The party will serve as a great way to welcome students back and start the year off on a fun and exciting note. Sundae Sunday will be the first of four family events this year; the others will include Family Advent Night, Family Mardi Gras, and the Family May Crowing and End of the Year Barbeque.

“Since I started in 2010, we have been trying to develop some traditions that the children and their families can look forward to every year,” says Religious Education Coordinator, Jodi Clouthier. “Our parents truly are the primary teachers of their children and these events help facilitate a whole-family approach throughout the year.”

Following the Sundae Party, the year will begin

in earnest on Wednesday, Sept. 19. As in previous years, our grade school and middle school students will meet on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., respectively. The high school students preparing for Confirmation will meet on eight select Sundays throughout the year beginning on Sunday, Oct. 21.

Under Jodi’s leadership, the team of volunteer teachers for our grade school and middle school students will employ a variety of activities and projects to teach our parish youth the tenets of the Catholic Faith.

“We like to create an environment such that the kids want to come to religious education,” Jodi says. “The catechists are all fabulous: they

Saint Francis of Assisi

4

Registration for the 2012-13 year in Religious Education is

now open. To sign up your child, please contact Jodi in the parish

office at 775-831-0490.

New Religious Education Year Just Around the Corner

do a lot of crafts, music, and activities and will sometimes act things out. We try to do a lot of different things to catch those with different learning styles as well. By making it an enjoyable

experience, the lessons will be something the kids remember.”

The catechists for our students preparing for Confirmation create an environment at the eight Sunday sessions that is specifically designed for our high school students. Jodi describes them

as having a retreat-like feel, with each session beginning with the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass and featuring talks, groups discussions, prayer, meals and social time.

As our religious education team finalizes plans

for the new year of teaching our parish youth, Jodi cannot emphasize enough the importance of parents, students and catechists all working together.

“Obviously the parents’ number one job is to bring their children to Mass,” she says. “Attending Mass every week is the most important way that children learn about the Faith. In addition, every year of religious education is of great importance. We always see a significant drop off in attendance after First Communions, so we’re asking parents to be consistent and see their children through the entire process. Children that come every year not only continue to learn, but they see that it’s a process and that when you receive a sacrament you haven’t finished, you’ve just taken another step along the journey.”

Registration for the 2012-13 year in Religious Education is now open. To sign up your child, please contact Jodi in the parish office at 775-831-0490.

JUNE 2012

5

Keeping Our Stewardship Commitments in the Summertime

The kids are out of school and our fast-paced lives centered on school and youth sports

activities have slowed down. Our own internal clocks are now on summer time. We’re ready for a break from our hectic lives.

And while we take vacations and enjoy the leisurely pace of the season, we need to remember that summer is not the time to take a vacation from God. In fact, summer can serve as the perfect opportunity to grow our relationship with God, especially since most of us have considerably more free time.

So, instead of neglecting our faith due to busy days and late nights, why not try these simple steps to embrace God during the lazier summer months and during your vacation.

Get More Active in a Parish MinistryThe summer is actually a perfect time to get

more involved in a parish ministry. Because we no longer have to get the kids to and from school, or get them to sporting events or other activities that go on during the school year, our schedules are a bit less cluttered. Summer is indeed a perfect time to fill some down time with service to God through ministry and giving of your talents. Take a look through the parish ministries to find something that suits your particular interest or talent.

Give Thanks for the SunPraise God for the sun, time off from school,

and easy going days by dropping by the adoration chapel to say a quick prayer. Bring a journal

or rosary along to help keep you focused. Little children can even bring a religious coloring book to give thanks to God on their terms. Or, before heading to the pool, why not attend daily Mass with the kids? It’s a perfect way to start the day - and set the tone that – vacation or not – God is still an important part of your family life

Don’t Take a Vacation from MassOften while on a vacation away from our

parish family, we are not familiar with where to attend Mass. Don’t let that be an obstacle for you. Check out www.masstimes.org in order to find out where and when to go to Mass. In addition, if you are lodging at a hotel, the concierge will assist you with directions or suggestions to the nearest Catholic Church.

Summertime Stewardship of Treasure“I’m going on vacation and I won’t be at

Mass at home those Sundays. Can’t I skip those envelopes when I’m away? After all, I’ll put a dollar or two, or maybe even five, in the collection at the church where we visit. Isn’t that enough?”

Even as we form the question in our mind, we know the answer. The prime reason for keeping up our pledge all summer is that God doesn’t go on vacation. He continues to sustain us throughout the summer months. He persists in pouring out blessings on us, even during the hottest weather. He keeps on meeting us in His sacramental presence when we go to Mass wherever we travel. As God remains faithful to us during the summer, we are called to be faithful in our commitments to Him and our parish family even during our vacation time.

So, enjoy the warmer temperatures and the relaxed atmosphere. Just don’t forget who provides the sun and the sand! And most importantly, remember to take God on vacation wherever you go!

Saint Francis of Assisi

6

Reaching Out to Our Community

A few years ago, Cathy Cecil was watching the news

on TV when a story came on about a Reno woman who was cooking meals for the homeless in her home every Sunday. Her name is Lindsay Wetzel, and along with preparing meals for the homeless, she would also deliver the food to needy families and have people help her serve it to the homeless.

Moved by what she saw, Cathy decided to do put stewardship into action in her own life.

“The Lord puts things on your heart,” Cathy says. “The day I saw that on the news, I felt compelled to call. I thought there must be something I can do or the parish can do. So I just picked up the phone and called her, we had a really nice conversation, and it went from there.”

Cathy asked if she could help, and Lindsay gave her a list of nonperishable foods she needed. Cathy brought that list to our parish and began collecting food. She attached the list to a barrel in the indoor gathering area at St. Francis so that people could donate food. Once a month, Cathy and her husband, Chuck, would take the barrel of food and deliver it to Lindsay, who would make and distribute meals to the hungry in the community.

After a couple years working in her ministry, Lindsay injured her arm. She was no longer able to prepare the meals, but she decided to keep distributing food. Soon, however, she became unable to keep up with the task, so Cathy and Chuck stepped up and took over. Today, the Cecils continue doing God’s work through this wonderful, life-changing ministry.

“I know it’s very meaningful,” Cathy says. “One day this lady hugged me and said, ‘You will never know how much this means to us.’ Another time, she said it was the best birthday present she’d ever gotten. We didn’t even know it was her

birthday. It’s rewarding when you get responses like that.”

At the start, the Cecils were providing food to around three families, whereas now, there are nine families they are able to help. They deliver the food once a month, and also on holidays, such as Christmas and Easter.

Cathy and Chuck depend on the members of our parish to donate food, as well as money and service. They recently

received a large donation from the Knights of Columbus. Also, some of the youth from the Confirmation class helped them shop for food for Easter dinners and deliver them to the families.

“It makes the parishioners aware that we have a lot of needy people that are hungry, and it gives them an opportunity to participate in feeding them, whether they put items in the barrel or give us a check,” Cathy says. “I think it increases their awareness and it gives them an opportunity to be involved.”

Another way St. Francis of Assisi is reaching out to our community is by donating $10,000 a year to a group of nonprofit organizations in the area, known as the Community Service Team, which includes Project MANA, a local food bank. These organizations take our donation and distribute it towards their service to those in need in the community.

“We feel it’s a responsibility to support the community,” says parishioner Bob Mimiaga, who helped spearhead our parish outreach efforts. “If there’s a need here, we try to fill it.”

For more information or to get involved in helping deliver food to the families in Reno, call Cathy and Chuck Cecil at 775-622-3378. For more information about other opportunities to participate in community outreach, call Bob Mimiaga at 775-833-1124 or e-mail him at robmim@usa.net.

JUNE 2012

As part of their preparation for Confirmation, students from St. Francis helped the

Cecils shop for food for Easter dinners and delivered them to the families in need.

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Saint Francis of Assisi

Next spring, we will conduct our first annual Stewardship Renewal. What is a Stewardship Renewal, you may ask? The Renewal is the time each year when we ask each other to re-prioritize the way we use God’s gifts in the Church. It is the time we write down how we will support St. Francis over the next year with our commitments of time (using my time on earth wisely; making time for personal prayer, family prayer, and quality time with friends and loved ones); talent (using God-given gifts to strengthen the Church through service to parish ministries and other activities), and treasure (the wise and just management of my financial resources; giving a proportionate amount of my income to the parish).

Many signs of accomplishment and potential are evident in our parish, and I am very grateful

to all of you who have helped us become what we are today. As we continue to grow, the support and involvement of each individual parishioner is necessary to sustain the life of our parish. All of you have a place here, and all of you have a role to fill in the life of the parish as we live our lives as disciples of Christ.

May the Holy Spirit renew and refresh all of us as we work together to build our parish family through the use of our time, talent and treasure.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Bill NadeauPastor

Our New Parish Newsletter continued from cover