The Diocese of Honolulu is sponsoring Stewardship Day, “a special gathering of Catholic leaders for inspiration, learning and networking with others about stewardship as a way of life,” 8 a.m.-noon, Jan. 25, at Holy Family Church in Honolulu.
The featured speaker for the day, which is open to priests, deacons, lay leaders, parish and school staff and active parishioners, is stewardship expert Father Daniel J. Mahan of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
The event will also offer an optional “bonus workshop” at noon by Catholic publishing house Our Sunday Visitor on its stewardship products and resources.
Stewardship Day will begin with a continental breakfast, prayer and opening remarks by Bishop Larry Silva.
Father Mahan will give two presentations. The first will emphasize stewardship as a way to holiness. The speaker will discuss the four qualities of a good steward — gratitude, responsibility, generosity and making a return to the Lord — and their impact in the life of the church.
The first talk will be followed by a discussion by local parish leaders on the practice of successful stewardship in their communities.
Father Mahan’s second talk will focus on practical steps to incorporate stewardship successfully into parish life. These steps include personal witness, commitment of leadership, hospitality and accountability.
The Our Sunday Visitor workshop will offer ways to improve parish stewardship communication efforts through the use of parish reports, contribution envelopes, email and websites.
Father Mahan will also offer a workshop for clergy only, 2-5 p.m., Jan. 24, at St. Stephen Diocesan Center based on the more than 35 homilies from his book, “More than Silver or Gold: Homilies of a Stewardship Priest.” Homily titles include “Stewardship Applied to Everyday Life,” “Helping Busy People Grow Closer to the Lord” and “Vibrant Christian Witness.”
Father Mahan is the pastor of two parishes in the Indianapolis archdiocese. He has long been affiliated with the International Catholic Stewardship Council and is a popular speaker in parishes and dioceses around the country. He has also given presentations in China, Africa and the Philippines.
He is also the former executive director of the Center for Catholic Stewardship at Marian University.
The registration cost for Stewardship Day is $10 and covers the continental breakfast. Lunch will be provided for those who register for the bonus Our Sunday Visitor seminar. Call 203-6719 for more information. Those who want to go to the clergy workshop should call 203-6712. The deadline to register for either event is Jan. 17.
