Grateful Stewards

by Fr. Don Kline, V.F.  |  10/12/2025  |  Letter from the Pastor

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden…Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

I hope most people of faith understand the value of sharing your time, treasure, and talent with others. I want to focus your attention on what I will call the stewardship of time and talent. Being a good steward with your finances is equally important for the good of your soul and the betterment of humanity, but what about your time and talent? What does it mean to be a good steward of these God given blessings?

There are obvious talent stewards like our beloved parish musicians, choir members and cantors. We are blessed to have a few catechists (could always use a few more) who teach others the faith for which I am so grateful. But who else shares their time and talent? When I first came to St. Bernadette as your pastor, our community was alive with willing stewards who understood the value of hard work and sacrifice. But there was more to be done. The parish had just completed the building of the new church after 20 years of celebrating Mass (and everything else) in the hall. This growth happened because some people understood that it is better to live for the Church than off the Church. So, these faithful stewards rolled up their sleeves and did what they could to make a difference. We sit in the very pews provided by those who sacrificed their time, treasure, and talent to make it all happen. What an amazing achievement.

As for the rest of the campus, the work continues. Occasionally, a parishioner will point out something that is broken or in need of repair. Imagine your own residence, then multiply that by 50. Between the parish and the school buildings, there is always something broken, tired, or just needs to be replaced. Occasionally, a parishioner will stop by the parish office and express their willingness to use their talents and give of their time. One was a carpenter, another an organizer, another person is good with flowers, another is willing to clean and replace candles in the grotto and change the holy water every day, another cleans the pews and straightens up the hymnals, others set up table and chairs and turn off the lights when all is done. There always something on our parish grounds that needs attention.

On multiple occasions, I see parishioners quietly going about their work. One person picking up trash in the parking lot, another offering to serve in the Grotto gift shop, one offering to be an usher, another holding the door for one of our elderly parishioners. I admire seamstresses who repair vestments, those who water the plants and sew the altar cloths. I think of those stewards who wash and iron the altar linens for Mass. What would we do without you? I think of the decorating stewards who use their talents seasonally to decorate our church. I think of talented gardeners that make our parish look great, even during a hot and dry summer like we experience every summer. I think of coaches and members of our school and the crossing guards who protect our children. I think of those who use their organizational talents on behalf of the poor. Thank you! I see them and I pray for them in thanksgiving for using their time and talent. I ask God to bless them for their sacrifice.

I think of the stewards who have long since gone to God and add a quick prayer for them from time to time. In their quiet way, they all made a difference to worshippers who walk on these holy grounds and who may take for granted what it takes to make this place an opportunity to encounter God. At the same time, those humble stewards kept the cost of repairs down which increased the financial means of many parish ministries who had more funds to support their work!

To be a good steward of your financial gifts is important, but being a good steward of time and talent extends beyond just service to our parish. The point is, we are a people filled with talents, some we didn’t even consider to be talents. Be alert for needs at our parish, and beyond, that can be satisfied by your humble service!

God Bless,

Fr. Don Kline