stewardship Archives - Diocese of Venice

St. Agnes Parish in Naples has been honored with the Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Memorial Parish Stewardship Award by International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC).

The award is presented each year at the International Catholic Stewardship Council annual conference – held virtually the week of Oct. 5, 2020. The award is given to the Parish which best exemplifies a long-term commitment to stewardship as a way of life. Its purpose is to recognize a Parish that has embraced every aspect of stewardship and has shown evidence of spiritual growth and community outreach.

According to the ICSC, the recipient of this award must have initiated and developed this way of life at a comprehensive level that embraces stewardship of time, talent and treasure across all Parish groups. The Parish’s on-going conversion to stewardship will be evidenced by its growth in spirituality and its witness and outreach to the larger community.

“It was a big deal for us,” said Father Bob Kantor, St. Agnes Pastor who credits his fellow clergy, Parish staff and the faithful for helping make this honor possible. “Hopefully others learning about it will receive some encouragement.”

This year the Conference was virtual instead of being held in California as originally planned. Father Kantor addressed the plenary session on Oct. 6, 2020, and Gloria Carter, Deacon Roberto Landron and Dominick and Rita Cavuoto conducted a webinar the same afternoon as part of the Conference.

“This is a great accomplishment to be selected from Parishes all over the world,” said Gloria Carter, Parish Stewardship Coordinator who helped prepare the St. Agnes application for the award. “A considerable amount of time and energy has gone into producing the requirements of achieving this honor.”

Documentation provided for the award covered different areas of promoting stewardship at the Parish and included: stewardship brochures, calendars and newsletters; Parish handbooks; commitment cards; welcome postcards, letters and packets; invitations to newly registered parishioners; outreach mission statement; and much more.

Named in honor of Archbishop Murphy, Bishop of Great Falls from 1978-1987 and Archbishop of Seattle from 1987 until his death in 1997. He was an ardent supporter of the International Catholic Stewardship Council and attended many of its annual conferences.

Since St. Agnes was formally established in 2007, the Parish has gone from 16 outreach programs to 80.

While earning this award is a great honor for St. Agnes, Carter added, “This does not mean that we stop Stewardship,” she said. “Stewardship is not a program, it is a Way of Life and as life continues, so does Stewardship. It is up to all of us as individuals to bring Jesus Christ to others; to live out Stewardship in our daily lives. As baptized Catholics we have become Disciples of Jesus and as such we are required to bring the teaching of Jesus to others. Living as good holy people says more to others than the world ever could. Remember to thank God for all our gifts and talents and see how much we can accomplish together.”

To view the St. Agnes Parish submission for the Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Memorial Parish Stewardship Award submission, please visit : http://www.stagnesnaples.org/110.

Bob Reddy – Florida Catholic

With a broad base of experience, for the past 19 years in the Archdiocese of Newark, Carla Repollet, the new Diocese of Venice Stewardship and Development Director, brings a unique perspective to stewardship and development.

With fresh ideas, Repollet is reaching out to Parishes throughout the Diocese by offering the resources and support of her department to help enhance stewardship at all levels.

“I have learned many lessons from my experience in Newark and know what can happen when people become complacent when it is assumed that there will always be money coming in; churches were closed,” she explained. “The goal we must all have is to instill a sense of ownership for the faithful as they must answer the call of Jesus. That call is to be living stewards of the Church.”

Noting that we all have a strong connection to the Church, Repollet noted. “It is our second home. It is where important moments in our lives take place, such as baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals. Like a home, without continual support and investment of the people today, the Church won’t be there for future generations.”

A graduate of Rutgers University, she is married with four daughters and a grandson. An immigrant to the U.S., she was born on the Island of Terceira in the Azores, which lies in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean about 1,000 miles west of Portugal.

Being an immigrant offers Repollet a unique perspective on being a steward of the Church and the need to balance what is needed to support the Church within the Diocese of Venice. While there are wealthy portions of the Diocese, there are also very needy portions.

“The Diocese of Venice is blessed to have so much growth taking place. However, we can’t count on that to last forever. Today, we must focus on the now. It is about everyone offering a fair share so that others less fortunate can continue to experience the same Church as everyone else,” she added. “That is the beauty of the Church. No matter where you go, the Mass is the Mass. It might be in a different language, but the Church is universal.”

As Stewardship and Development Director, Repollet said she plans to be very service-oriented and hopes that Parishes use her office as a resource. Her primary responsibilities include overseeing the Catholic Faith Appeal, working to increase and enhance offertory collections, and assisting in Capital Campaigns providing support to Parishes with fundraising initiatives.

Repollet can be reached at 941-441-1117 or repollet@dioceseofvenice.org.

Tag: stewardship

Naples Parish wins global Stewardship Award

New Diocesan Stewardship and Development Director settles in