Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means. For he is a God who always repays and will give back to you sevenfold. But offer no bribes; these he does not accept!  Do not trust in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion.  For he is a God of justice, who shows no partiality.  He shows no partiality to the weak but hears the grievance of the oppressed.  He does not forsake the cry of the orphan, nor the widow when she pours out her complaint.                               – Sirach 35: 12-17
 
I came across this scripture passage during a Holy Hour this week.  I praised God for this Word as we consider the Parish Finances this week.  I praise God that so many of you are so generous in your offerings to the Parish and to the Diocese.  It allows us as a Faith Community to move forward with a sense of mission and that mission quite simply is to bring as many people as possible into the Kingdom of God.  We hopefully are not giving to bribe God into letting us sneak into heaven.  A mature disciple gives out of a grateful heart
 
Good stewardship of the resources that have been entrusted to this faith community reveals our gratitude for God’s goodness to us and our commitment to building up God’s Kingdom here and now.  I am grateful to Mark Schroder and the members of the Finance Council for their oversight of our finances.  It takes a watchful eye and dutiful practice to ensure the finances of our parish are being used to fulfill the mission God has given us.
 
It also takes more than just financial resources.  It takes a faith community to build the Kingdom of God.  I am already smitten by the small and active and intimate community here at St. Michael’s.  A good number of you are already multitasking with your involvement in different ministries.  But if we are to continue to have quality liturgies that attract vacationers to come worship with us, if we are to continue to reach out in service to those in need, if we are to continue to grow as a faith community, then we need the involvement of all our parishioners. 
 
You have a gift to give.  So, I am asking you to be a good steward of the time and talent that the Lord has given you.  Make a return to the Lord.  This week prayerfully consider how God is calling you to be involved in the mission of this parish.  Please carefully look over the bulletin insert and come ready to place your response in next weekend’s offertory.
 
And if you have been trying to WOW me with your welcome, it has worked.  Your warmth and understanding of my entering into a new experience has touched me deeply.  Through your kindness I feel God’s blessing on our new beginning together.  I am grateful for your words, gifts, and notes of welcoming.  As I said last Sunday, if leaving St. Mary on the Hill was a “dying of sorts”, I certainly have experienced the resurrection here at St. Michael’s.

Thank you!
 
Fr. Jerry