My dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

Last September in the Catholic Times newspaper I wrote about the Diocese of Wichita's model of stewardship, which is nationally known and recognized as effective. Since that visit, it has been my hope that we could also become a diocese where people are deeply committed to a stewardship way of life.

In order to breathe life and put flesh into this hope and vision, I am pleased to announce that I am appointing Father Charles Edwards to be our new diocesan Director of Stewardship and Discipleship, effective Jan. 1, 2015. Father Edwards will continue as pastor of St. Paul Parish in Highland until next June 30, when he will be transferred to less demanding parochial duties so that he can focus on the task of stewardship and discipleship.

At the same time, the word "stewardship" will be taken out of the title of the Department of Financial Services, Stewardship and Development as well as from the title of the Office of Stewardship and Development. When we were in Wichita, the folks there, who have been living stewardship for over 40 years, insisted repeatedly that stewardship is not primarily about money or fundraising, but about a way of life based on a committed relationship as an intentional disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. For that reason, I am uncoupling the word "stewardship" from our fundraising and development efforts and pairing it with the word "discipleship."

In giving Father Edwards the title "Director of Stewardship and Discipleship," I am emphasizing that stewardship, properly understood, flows from discipleship. Just how then are we to understand these notions of discipleship and stewardship?

Sherry Weddell, author of the book, Forming Intentional Disciples, was the keynote speaker at our Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference last month. According to Weddell, intentional discipleship is best exemplified by Simon Peter's decision to drop his fishing nets and follow Jesus. The sacraments of the church are key in this process of conversion, but they are not magic. The sacraments are vessels of grace that we need to receive with active intent. Intentional discipleship is the decision to "drop one's nets," that is, to make a conscious commitment to follow Jesus in the midst of his church as an obedient disciple and to reorder one's life accordingly.

As defined in the lived experience of the Diocese of Wichita, "Stewardship is the grateful response of a Christian disciple, who recognizes and receives God's gifts, and shares these gifts in love of God and neighbor." Notice the emphasis on gratitude for gifts received from God, the Creator and giver of all good gifts, and the Christian disciple's response of sharing the gifts of God's creation in fulfillment of the two great commandments to love God and neighbor.

A stewardship parish is built on four pillars: 1) hospitality, 2) prayer, 3) formation, and 4) service. What are the results?

1. The diocese of Wichita has witnessed a greater spirit and overall unity within their parishes as a diocese.

2. There is a high level of weekly Mass attendance, more than double the national average, which is 24 percent.

3. Volunteerism is high in parishes and other ministries.

4. The Catholic education of the children of the parish is the responsibility of ALL the parishioners, not just the parents; faithful stewardship provides Catholic education for every child desiring education.

5. What was expected of parishioners (tithing generously, sacrificially, and proportionately) would be expected of parishes to the wider church.

6. Most visible is the desire for prayer in the parishes. Twenty-five percent of the parishes in the Diocese of Wichita have 24/7 Adoration Chapels; 63 of the 90 parishes have some sort of adoration opportunities.

7. The number of seminarians and those choosing religious life vocations has dramatically increased, with over 60 seminarians this year. There are more active priests under the age of 50 than over.

8. Other diocesan ministries have been created and overwhelmingly supported, such as Guadalupe Clinic, with 40 doctors and 3,000 patients, and The Lord's Diner, with 5,000 volunteers and 400-600 persons served every night.

9. In 1985 the combined annual diocesan income of all the parishes was under 15 million. By 2014, that income was over $51 million. The annual giving of families significantly rose. Why? Because families were informed, inspired, and invited to live the stewardship way of life.

It will be Father Edwards' task to begin the process of education and formation in the stewardship and discipleship way of life, working with the priests, deacons, religious and laity at both the diocesan and parish levels. No one can do this alone. We will all need to work together with the help of God's grace to succeed in these efforts.

May God give us this grace. Amen.