This past weekend, a remarkable one thousand- plus Catholic school teachers, catechists, religious, priests, youth ministers, musicians, RCIA team members, parish staff members and volunteers gathered together in Springfield for the Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference.
This event, sponsored every other year by the Office for Catechesis, as usual had much to offer. Attendees participated in inspiring liturgies, listened to knowledgeable speakers, looked over and purchased wares offered by vendors, and had a chance to catch up with old friends.
This year's theme "A Steward's Way" was one some of us understand and many of us don't - namely Christian stewardship. Simply put, God calls us to be good stewards in everything we do. That's why we honor God with time, relationships and money. Moreover, we are called to be good stewards all the time, not just on Sundays.
The Apostle Peter, writing on Christian charity, said it well: "As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10)
Like many diocesan events held throughout the year, the DAEC was made possible in part by the Annual Catholic Services Appeal, which appropriately enough is a form of stewardship in itself. Not only were visitors inspired by Matthew Kelly's keynote addresses and Bishop George Lucas' words, they had a fine choice of break-out sessions to attend.
In his first keynote address, Kelly had an important point to make. He said 20 percent of the people contribute 80 percent of the time, talent and treasure it takes to run a parish - and he offered ways to help those who aren't involved to become better stewards.
How about you? Where do you stand in those percentages? Are you always active, sometimes active or do you help out when a fellow parishioner makes you feel guilty? Maybe you are someone who did so much for so long that you became burned out on volunteering.
The next day, Kelly spoke about becoming the "best version of yourself." Only when we're choosing to be the best version of ourselves will we be truly fulfilled Catholics who engage people and create a culture of authentic stewardship, he said.
The upcoming holidays offer us countless ways to become good Christian stewards. We can provide food for the poor, open our homes to the lonely, buy gifts for needy families or volunteer to serve holiday meals to the homeless. Then when the season is a memory, it will be time to decide how to continue to give of time, talent and treasure.
How will you become a better steward during the upcoming holiday season and over the next year? Our challenge to you is this: Take what you learned at DAEC this year back to your parish. Take it back to your school. If you didn't attend the DAEC, call your parish office to find out what you can do to help. Christian stewardship is something we should be practicing all year long.