Stewardship is a commitment of mind and heart to the Lord; a way of life that needs constant renewal and transformation. This time of year has always been one of looking forward to a new year, reflecting on the changes we need to make in our lives and resolving to follow through on those changes. Perhaps those who seek to make resolutions to be better stewards might find inspiration in the following samples:
Stewardship of Prayer: Resolve to strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Notice how often you pray and what hinders you from praying. Commit to short, daily prayer times.
Stewardship of Health: Resolve to get those medical and dental checkups. Adopt healthier eating habits. Add exercise and other physical activity to your daily routine.
Stewardship of Possessions: Resolve to possess a little more “lightly” this year. Consider ways you can reduce the amount of all that stuff you own. Distinguish between those items that are necessary and those that are considered luxurious and unnecessary.
Stewardship of the Parish Family: Resolve to serve your faith community in some way this year such as at liturgy, in the parish’s outreach or education and formation efforts.
Stewardship of Money: Resolve to render sacred your annual budget. Reprioritize your financial goals to ensure that the Lord comes first in your spending. Take positive steps to improve your financial health.
Stewardship of Work: Resolve to be faithful to your daily, work-related tasks and offer them up to the Lord. Cultivate your skills. Deepen your knowledge. Be mindful of how you are building the Kingdom of God.
Stewardship of Family: Resolve to set aside more time to stay connected with your family. Eat dinner together, schedule regular dates with your spouse, plan family outings, and go to Mass together.
Stewardship of Mind: Resolve to keep your mind active. Commit to being more informed on the issues of the day. Read your Bible. In the coming year of presidential elections in the United States, familiarize yourself with the Church’s social teachings.
Stewardship of Neighbor: Resolve to be a person of hospitality; to make time and space for others who enter your life. Be more aware of those times when a neighbor, co-worker, fellow parishioner or stranger, needs a moment of kindness, a little attention or an affirming gesture on your part.
Stewardship of the Poor: Resolve to live with more compassion and in solidarity with those less fortunate. Remember the poor in prayer, and commit to helping relieve in some way the plight of those who are impoverished or marginalized.
A Stewardship Prayer for the New Year
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of a new year. You have entrusted us with the coming days, weeks and months as stewards of your divine plan; to live in gratitude, joy, and an ever growing confidence in your Kingdom to come.
We ask for the humility to reform our lives; the courage to commit ourselves to you no matter the cost; and the wisdom to shine the light of faith on others.
Open our hearts, give us your Spirit and show us how to share your love so that we may bring hope to a world in need of your justice and peace.
We pray to be a sign of your grace in this new year through your son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Used with permission from the International Catholic Stewardship Council
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