Letter from the Bishop
Welcome to the 2013 Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal, “Living our Faith, Sharing our Gifts ... Together. This is a call to discipleship and an opportunity to serve others, our parishes and our diocese. This is the same experience as when Jesus called his disciples to follow him!
For the past several years the diocesan appeal has been anchored in the three pillars of time, talent and treasure. However, the meaning of stewardship must be based in the meaning of discipleship. To be stewards requires that we be a disciple first. Jesus calls us to be disciples, and then we respond as stewards by using our time, talent and treasure.
In the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults we read, “Jesus calls us as his disciples to a new way of life—the Christian way of life—of which stewardship is a part. Stewards of God’s gifts are not passive beneficiaries. We are also obliged to be stewards of the Church, collaborators and cooperators in the continuing redemptive work of Jesus Christ, which is the Church’s essential mission. This mission—proclaiming and teaching, serving and sanctifying—is our task.
It is the personal responsibility of each one of us as stewards of the Church.”
As we begin this 11th year of the Diocesan Stewardship Appeal, we recognize that there is a better understanding of stewardship and discipleship within our diocese.
Stewardship is a commitment of mind and heart to the Lord; a way of living, for which we give thanks to God. As we reflect on the call to be disciples of the Lord, we need to reflect on the meaning of God’s gifts of time, talent and treasure. These are
concrete expressions of our discipleship.
Time is a marvelous gift from God. Time is not just the passing of days and hours but graced moments when we can serve one another.
Talent is recognition that God has given each of us special gifts for the service of the Lord. Disciples use them for the good of all.
Treasure is using our material blessings for the good of the
community. The Diocesan Stewardship Appeal supports many programs that serve the entire diocese.
The call of discipleship is a call to serve others. As the seed falls on good ground it will yield a rich harvest. Some seeds fall on good soil, so it grows and produces a good harvest. The good soil represents those who respond faithfully to God’s word. The question for Christian stewards is, what kind of soil are we? We need to examine our lives regularly to see how the harvest is growing in us. In order to produce the fruitful harvest, we must share our time, talent and treasure that God entrusted to us.
Working together we can make a difference. This is how we
live out the call of Jesus to be his disciples. Thank you for
your participation in the annual stewardship appeal—a call to be disciples of the Lord.
Most Reverend William J. Dendinger
Bishop of Grand Island
Bienvenidos a la Planificación del Diócesis Anual del 2013, “Viviendo nuestra Fe, compartiendo nuestros Regalos ... Juntos. Este es un llamado al discipulado y una oportunidad para servir a otros, a nuestra parroquia y a nuestra diócesis. Se trata de la misma experencia de como cuando Jesus llamo a sus discipulos a seguirlo.
En los últimos años la Planificación del Diócesis esta anclado en tres pilares de tiempo, talento y tesoro. Sin embargo, el significado del administrador debe estar basada en el significado del discipulo. Para ser administradores primero se requiere ser un discipulo. Jesus nos llama sus discipulos, y respondemos como administradores utilizando tiempo, talento y tesoro.
En los Estados Unidos el Catecismo para Adultos, leemos, “Jesus nos llama como sus discipulos a una nueva vida—la vida Cristiana—en donde el Administrador es parte. Administradores de los regalos de Dios no son beneficarios pasivos. Nosotros estamos obligados a ser administradores de la Iglesia, colaboradores y cooperadores en la labor redentora de Jesucristo, que es la misión esencial de la Iglesia. Nuestra tarea es la misión de proclamar y ensenar, servir y santificar. Es la responsabilidad personal de cada uno de nosotros como administradores de la Iglesia.”
Al principiode este 11 avo año del lamado a la corresponsabilidad nos damos cuenta de que hay un mejor conocimiento sobre la corresponsabilidad y discipulado.
Administración es un compromiso de mente y corazón al Señor; una manera de vivir, por cual le damos gracias a Dios. Mientras reflexionamos sobre la llamada a ser discipulos del Señor, tenemos que reflexionar sobre el significado de los regalos de Dios de tiempo, talento y tesoro. Estas son expresiones concretas de nuestro discipulado.
El tiempo es un regalo maravilloso de Dios. Tiempo no es solo el paso de los dias y horas pero momentos agradables cuando podemos servir uno al otro.
Talento es el reconocimiento que dios a dado a cada uno de nosotros dones especiales para el servicio del Señor. Los discipulos lo usan para el bien de todos.
El tesoro es usando nuestras bendiciones materiales para el bien de la cominidad. La Planificación de Administrador del Diócesis apoya muchos programas que sirven a toda la Diócesis.
La llamada del discipulo es llamada para servir a otros. Como cae la semilla en tierra producira una rica cosecha. Unas semillas caen en buena tierra, crece y produce una buena cosecha. La buena tierra representa aquellos que responden fielmente a la palabra de Dios. La pregunta Cristiana de administradores es, Que clase de tierra somos? Necesitamos examinar nuestras vidas regularmente para ver como esta creciendo la cosecha entre nosotros. Con el fin de producir una buena cosecha, debemos compartir nuestros tiempo, talento y tesoro que Dios nos a confiado.
Trabajando juntos podemos hacer una diferencia. Asi es como vivir el llamado del Señor para ser sus discipulos. Gracias por su participacion en la Planificación de Administrador Anual—un llamado para ser discipulos del Señor.
Reverendisimo William J. Dendinger
Obispo de Grand Island
Your own very personal support is clearly needed to help the ministries of our Diocese continue to meet the challenges of tomorrow. The Church, in following the teachings of Christ, invites people to follow Christ's example to be good stewards of the gifts in our lives. Together, we can make a positive difference.
"The Diocese" means any geographic area that has its own bishop ... but it also means "The Church" in that part of the world--bishop, priests and people (see map).
Diocesan ministries or apostolates are works that we all do TOGETHER—as individuals and parishes united with the bishop and with each other.
The Annual Diocesan Appeal helps greatly in doing TOGETHER what none of us could do alone.
We can do them together—as the Diocese, the Church of Grand Island.
Your personal support is clearly needed to help the ministries in our Diocese
continue to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Our 2012 goal is $1.17 million.
Ministries that will be partially supported by the Diocesan Appeal are:
Claramente necesitamos de su apoyo personal para ayudar a los ministerios de nuestra Diocesis para juntos alcanzar las metas del manana. Nuestra meta para el 2012 son $1.17 millones. Los Ministerios que seran beneficiados de manera parcial por la Suplica Diocesana son:
African Solidarity Fund ... Fondo en Solidaridad del Africa
India Church Fund ... Fondo en Solidaridad de India
Ongoing Formation of Priests ... Continuacion Formacion de Sacerdotes
Diocesan Investment Fund ... Fondo de Inversion Diocesana
Higher Ground
Hispanic Ministry ... Ministerio Hispano
International Priests Program ... Programa para el Clero Internacional
Lay Ministry ... Ministerio Laico
Newman Centers ... Centros Newman
Religious Education ... Educacion Religiosa
Retired Priests Medical Insurance ... Aseguranza Medica para el Clero Jubilado
Rural Life ... Vida Rural
Youth and Young Adult Ministry ... Ministerio para Jovenes y Jovenes Adultos
West Nebraska Register ... Periodico Diocesano West Nebraska Register
Your own very personal support is clearly needed to help the ministries in our Diocese continue to meet the challenges of tomorrow. The Church, in following the teachings of Christ, invites people to follow Christ's example to be good stewards of the gifts in our lives. Together, we can made a positive difference.
African Solidarity Fund:
The African Solidarity Fund, created in 2006, is part of the diocesan outreach ministry. The money is used to help provide basic necessities of living to poverty stricken areas of Africa.
Diocesan Investment Fund:
The Diocesan Investment Fund, created in 2009, encourages parishioners to look towards the future, like any other investment. The idea behind the fund is to give people the opportunity to invest part of their contribution into the diocesan investment portfolio, put in place decades ago by previous forward-thinking bishops. The revenue from this portfolio accounts for a large part of the funding used to help operate many diocesan programs.
Higher Ground, Youth and Young Adult Ministries:
Higher Ground continues to be one of the diocese’s most successful programs. The purpose of Higher Ground is to create an environment where Christian community may be experienced. Higher Ground calls participants to a deeper experience of prayer, Scripture and community interaction. The intent of this program is to help youth discover that the Church needs their gifts and talents.
Hispanic Ministry:
The Office of Hispanic Ministry provides assistance to priests and catechetical leaders in providing resources to those in ministry with Hispanics. The office also provides assistance with immigration issues, cultural celebrations, and ESL opportunities.
International Priests Program:
The International Priests Program continues to bring much-needed pastoral help to many parts of the diocese. The diocesan appeal; helps with transportation, immigration issues and legal services, as well as a month-long inculturation program that assists the priests to gain a better sense of Catholic Church (laws, practices, cultures, etc), and helps with language skills.
Lay Ministry:
The Office of Lay Ministry and Planning was designed to assess lay ministry needs of parishes and identify appropriate education and resources for those needs. Lay ministry includes volunteer positions such as extraordinary ministers, lectors, catechists, acolytes, cantors and other positions that laity hold. Strategic planning at the parish level is a primary thrust of this office.
Newman Centers:
The College Campus Ministry consists of programs at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and Chadron State College, more commonly known as Newman Centers. The centers offer a place for students to participate in weekend Masses, retreats, group prayer and discussion groups in addition to social and community service activities.
Ongoing Formation of Priests:
Ongoing Formation of Priests provides diocesan workshops, priests retreats, sabbatical programs, advanced studies for clergy and lay personnel and conferences and conventions. The office is instrumental in coordinating workshops with guest speakers for continuing education.
Religious Education:
The Religious Education office includes teacher training programs, curriculum development, workshops, continuing education, catechist training and core catechist certification. Guidelines are also provided for parish organizations for programs of sacramental preparation and other programs to help parishes provide comprehensive catechesis.
Retired Priests Medical Insurance:
The Retired Priests Medical Insurance program is for those priests who are over age 65 and retired. Once retired, many priests rely solely on Medicare, which is far from what’s necessary to cover many basic needs. Many of those retired are dealing with a variety of medical conditions.
Rural Life:
The Rural Life office was created to provide support and advocacy for family-owned and operated farm and ranches and provide suggestions for the spiritual enhancement of rural families.
Youth and Young Adult Ministry:
Programs under the Youth and Young Adults Ministries umbrella supported by the appeal other than Higher Ground include TEC, Going Bananas for Jesus, Youth Encuentros, National Catholic Youth Conference and World Youth Day.
West Nebraska Register:
The West Nebraska Register is the official newspaper for the diocese of Grand Island and the main form of communication for nearly 17,000 Catholic families. Basic communications like the West Nebraska Register plays a vital role in communicating the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church. The office of the newspaper also helps other diocesan offices with their publication needs and materials.