We, members of the Catholic community, are as dedicated today as we were in 1871 when the first Catholic Church was built. Scattered among the 29 counties of Utah, parishioners work hard to keep faith, tradition and our devotion to God alive. But, don't take my word for it, go on your own pilgrimage. It doesn't have to be to all the churches and missions, perhaps just a visit to your neighboring Catholic Church. Churches are being updated, rebuilt, repaired and most of all filled with dedicated parishioners who are giving themselves to God and His churches. This form of "help" can be called "Stewardship".
But, are we giving, in the way of stewardship, all that we should and what is it that we should do? According to the website: http://www.catholicplanet.com/articles/article30.htm, True Christian Stewardship is Prayer, Sacrifice and Mercy.
Prayer is the first and most important duty and joy of every faithful follower of Jesus Christ. With prayer you can obtain guidance from God, participate in God's Providence over the lives of others, obtain the strength to do good and avoid evil, and pour out a myriad of blessings, both tangible and mystical, upon the whole world. Prayer is true treasure and there is where your heart should be. Whoever loves God prays.
Sacrifice is the second and next most important duty and joy of every beloved child of God. Christ offered the ultimate Sacrifice to God--His own prayerful suffering and death on the Cross. We poor imitators of Christ ought to make little sacrifices and practice self-denial in all aspects of our lives. Prayer and Sacrifice combined are a powerful force in the world. Are you not getting what you ask for in your prayers? Add self-denial to prayer and this combination cannot fail to obtain great favor from God. “Prayer and Sacrifice--these are my strengths.” (St. Therese of Lisieux).
Mercy is essential to the life of every sinner who hopes to obtain sufficient mercy from God to eventually enter into Eternal Life. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Mt 5:7). We can practice mercy for others by forgiving injury and insult, by doing good to those who do harm us, and by praying and sacrificing for those in need, be they friend or foe. We can practice being merciful through the spiritual and the temporal works of mercy. The practice of mercy includes offering our time and talents to those in spiritual or physical need. It also includes giving alms. The giving of alms can be in the form of material goods, such as food or clothing, or in the form of money.
But, are we giving, in the way of stewardship, all that we should and what is it that we should do? According to the website: http://www.catholicplanet.com/articles/article30.htm, True Christian Stewardship is Prayer, Sacrifice and Mercy.
Prayer is the first and most important duty and joy of every faithful follower of Jesus Christ. With prayer you can obtain guidance from God, participate in God's Providence over the lives of others, obtain the strength to do good and avoid evil, and pour out a myriad of blessings, both tangible and mystical, upon the whole world. Prayer is true treasure and there is where your heart should be. Whoever loves God prays.
Sacrifice is the second and next most important duty and joy of every beloved child of God. Christ offered the ultimate Sacrifice to God--His own prayerful suffering and death on the Cross. We poor imitators of Christ ought to make little sacrifices and practice self-denial in all aspects of our lives. Prayer and Sacrifice combined are a powerful force in the world. Are you not getting what you ask for in your prayers? Add self-denial to prayer and this combination cannot fail to obtain great favor from God. “Prayer and Sacrifice--these are my strengths.” (St. Therese of Lisieux).
Mercy is essential to the life of every sinner who hopes to obtain sufficient mercy from God to eventually enter into Eternal Life. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Mt 5:7). We can practice mercy for others by forgiving injury and insult, by doing good to those who do harm us, and by praying and sacrificing for those in need, be they friend or foe. We can practice being merciful through the spiritual and the temporal works of mercy. The practice of mercy includes offering our time and talents to those in spiritual or physical need. It also includes giving alms. The giving of alms can be in the form of material goods, such as food or clothing, or in the form of money.
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