Our Lady of Lourdes Church and School

Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.  (Rom 13:8)

For different reasons I have been given cause to reflect recently on the incredible and marvelous ways in which we are blessed here at Our Lady of Lourdes. Visitors, relatively new parishioners, veteran parishioners, all at different times in recent weeks have shared observations with me about our parish, and those comments are almost always positive. There is no question that our parish community is indeed greatly blessed by God. Consequently, I am reminded to offer a simple, but no less honest reflection.

Everything we are and everything we have as a community is pure gift of God. That gift is given to us for our own benefit as a people of faith, but also so that we might share our giftedness with others. As pastor I have diligently followed the lead of my predecessor and ensure that even as we take care of our own needs as a parish, we also take care of others, sharing our giftedness with organizations such as the Valley Family Center, the Pregnancy Counselling Center, Angels Way Maternity Home, the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission. We support different charitable works that arise from time to time as, in our collective name, we make donations to hands-on organizations that do Christian work, touching the lives of many people for the better, all in the name of Jesus.

Christian Stewardship is a spirituality that builds upon the principle that God gives us all we have, and that we are to share all that we are given. The traditional language of stewardship on a personal level is the language of sharing time, talent and treasure. We share from our blessing, rather than from our abundance. In other words, it is an intentional choice to live in a particular way, rather than an afterthought which we get to after we take care of everything else in our lives. As your pastor, I strive to put into practice these principles which I believe are important for all of us to consider, not just as part of our parish family, but also as families and individuals.

A person who tries to live a life characterized by Christian Stewardship is one who receives God’s gifts with a sense of gratitude. That gratitude prompts us to cherish our giftedness, and to be responsible and accountable for our giftedness. A Steward shares their gifts with others, as a response of love, confessing the great commandment of Jesus to love God and love neighbor. A steward also makes return to the Lord, a portion of the gifts which they have received directly.

For individuals or families who endeavor to grow into a spirituality of stewardship, mindful of how incredibly blessed our lives are at the hands of God, there are five principles to keep in mind:

1. Discerning Decision - We take some time to reflect carefully when we are deciding what to give. Discern the gift, rather than give brashly or impulsively. Be intentional rather than simply give what’s left over to give.
2. Our reflection includes a careful assessment of what God has given to us, in order that our giving may be proportionate. We give in proportion to what we receive, acknowledging the gospel parable of the talents. (Mt 25:14-30)
3. We make return from our substance, rather than from our abundance. In other words, we make an intentional gift rather than offer leftovers.
4. Our giving is motivated by gratitude above all else. Only a person who is aware of the immensity of God’s love and care in their lives can fully enter into a spirituality of stewardship.
5. Or giving is freely given. In other words, what we offer, we offer as a gift, without reservation or condition.

St. Paul summarizes these principles in this way: “Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.” (2Cor 9:6-8)