Stewardship

Catholics of the Archdiocese of St. Louis donated nearly $3.8 million in special collections last year -- funds that help the Church meet needs in critical areas in the archdiocese and around the world.

"The response to these collections demonstrates the generous culture of stewardship that we enjoy in the Archdiocese of St. Louis," said Brian Niebrugge, executive director of stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal for the archdiocese.

Bishop Robert F. Morneau, a pastor, poet and ardent Green Bay Packers' fan, writes in the December issue of Give Us This Day: Daily Prayer for Today's Catholic, "Advent celebrates God's multiple comings into our lives." The bishop identifies Advent's three stages: 1) Jesus' historic birth in Bethlehem; 2) His daily coming in the sacramental life of the Church; 3) the Lord's final coming in glory and majesty at the end of time.

The season of Advent celebrates all three "comings" by giving voice in prayer and in song to the spiritual desire, or longing, that precedes each stage.

It's a record-breaking year for the Annual Catholic Appeal.

The 2012 campaign — April 21-May 6 — raised almost $14.4 million in gifts and pledges, surpassing its $12.25 million goal by $1.4 million. (See the ACA supplement in this week's issue for the full results of the Appeal.)

This is the highest amount the Annual Catholic Appeal has raised to date.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you for your support of the 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal. Our celebration of another successful Appeal is a result of your generous response to people in need. Because of your stewardship, and because of the tireless work of our many volunteers, the Church can respond with love to those who approach Her for help.

In 1977, Bill Goeddel had open-heart surgery replacing his main aortic valve. Surgeons worked in teams, and it took hours to complete.

Goeddel was 39 at the time and had three children in St. Raphael School in south St. Louis. He remained in the hospital for three weeks due to complications. He recuperated at home for three months before returning to work.

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson points to three familiar parables to help explain the stewardship message.

Good Samaritan: The story illustrates what is means to love our neighbor, Archbishop Carlson said in a presentation on stewardship earlier this year.