November 12, 2017

I.  Gratitude Bonded to Stewardship: God calls all of us—not just a few—to be aware of our blessings, care for them responsibly, share them lovingly and justly, and return a generous portion in gratitude. Our annual renewal of Time, Talent, and Treasure is underway. Many thanks to everyone who has already returned a pledge! If you have not yet done so, please take time to pray about and examine the blessings in your life.

A decision about our annual giving (Sunday giving) to our parish should be made prayerfully and according to our means. Financial offerings should be sacrificial (does it pinch a little?), proportionate (does it adequately reflect a measure of our financial blessings?), planned (does it involve making advance decisions?), free (is our gift unconditional?), and a prayer (is it an expression of gratitude to God?).

Sharing our talents and skills glorifies God, the Giver of all gifts. Although our gifts may differ from those of others, we are all given gifts and talents to share. To discern how to best offer your talents in parish ministry, you might consider: What do I enjoy? What do I do well? What do friends and family tell me that I do well? How can I best offer my time and God-given talent.

Whether you are a longtime member, new to our parish, or just new to the pledging process, please return a pledge. Annual renewals provide  an opportunity to examine our blessings and make prayerful decisions about our annual commitments of financial support and our volunteer service in parish ministry. Your participation is vital to our parish and deeply appreciated. We need you!

Please return your pledge by Thanksgiving; you can drop it in the offertory collection at Mass, return it by mail, or (new this year!) visit www.stephencathedral.org to submit a pledge online. Extra packets are available in the vestibule or the Parish Office.  God bless you for your continued offerings of prayer, service in ministry, and generous financial support.

II.  Stained Glass Window of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917): Frances Cabrini desired to be a missionary to China like her name sake, St. Francis Xavier, but when she met with Pope Leo XIII, he asked her to go to the missionary territory of the United States to take care of Italian immigrants who were arriving in great numbers. Mother Cabrini and six other sisters arrived in New York City in 1889 to staff an orphanage. Upon her arrival, the Archbishop told her that the arrangement had fallen through and that she should return to Italy. Instead, seeing the great need, she stayed and began to establish a school in “Little Italy.” She convinced the Jesuits to sell her 450 acres along the Hudson River for an orphanage. She began teaching the children, visiting the sick, and feeding the hungry. An orphanage was built. Mother Cabrini began establishing schools and orphanages, initially for Italian immigrants but later open to all, in New Orleans, Chicago, Denver, Seattle and even Nicaragua. In her 35 years of active service, Cabrini established over 60 institutions. She was a faithful disciple, a strong woman of faith who met the needs she saw. Her faith was contagious. Perhaps the greatest miracle the greatest miracle in her life on earth was that of a faithful life.  Very interesting fact: our Cathedral building (1926) has a stained glass window of Frances Cabrini; it was installed in 1941; however, she was not canonized until 1946!  Someone had great confidence that Mother Cabrini would be canonized! We celebrate her selfless, generous, caring life on Monday, November 13.

III. Faith Fest, hosted by Owensboro Area Faith Communities and the Owensboro/Daviess County Ministerial Association, began November 3 and extends through November 19. I draw your attention to the Taize Prayer Service on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7:00pm at Faith Lutheran Church, Vespers and Open House at St. Stephen Cathedral at 5:30pm on Thursday, November 16, the Thanksgiving Community Dinner at Blessed Sacrament Chapel at noon on Sunday, November 19 (reservations required), and the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at KWC (Tapscott Chapel) on Sunday, November 19 at 3:00pm. Brochures are at our church doors or contact www.FaithFest.org