Every act of generosity begins with a story. For Catholics, our story starts with a God who gives first: breath, grace, mercy, and hope. Through stewardship, we receive these gifts with grateful hearts and are invited to let that story continue through us.
This year, the annual #iGiveCatholic initiative on GivingTuesday once again called the Catholic community to “Give Thanks, Give Back, and Give Catholic.” Across the country, 1,484 organizations participated on December 2, supported by 63,727 donors who gave more than $26 million.
In Haddonfield, our parish’s chapter in this shared story centered on our local mission, the Sisters of Saint Joseph Neighborhood Center (SSJNC). We are so grateful that 67 donors came together to give $18,365, an outpouring that reflects a 9% increase in supporters and places us 80% above both our goal and last year’s total.
S. Bonnie McMenamin, SSJ, Director of the SSJNC, expressed her deep gratitude for the steady love and generosity flowing from the parishioners of CTK. When preparing for the campaign, she kept the neighbors’ needs in the forefront, especially their concerns about staying in their homes and keeping warm this winter. Monies raised will go towards utility bills and rental assistance, immigration paperwork, and a commercial freezer.
Throughout the day, the Stewardship Office asked donors to complete the sentence: “I Give Catholic because…” Many spoke of being blessed and wanting to give in return. After a quiet moment of reflection, Susan Garra, who made her family’s gift in honor of their dear friend Dr. Mario Gebbia, offered, “It is a spiritual part of us that we take care of others who need hope and love.”
This Advent season, we invite you to consider how Christ is calling you to begin your next chapter. Is He prompting you to offer your time at the Neighborhood Center? To serve with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society or the Knights of Columbus? To step into a ministry at the parish beyond weekend Mass? If the noise of daily life makes it difficult to hear His voice, find a moment of stillness in our Adoration Chapel, a space for prayer, reflection, and discernment about how God is asking you to share the gifts He has already placed in your hands.
The Stewardship Office
Thank you for the way you continue to love your neighbors. For more information on the Spirituality of Stewardship, contact Cheryl Judge.