A few years ago my husband,  Tom and I returned to the Church after an almost 30 year absence.

 I had heard the word stewardship and the time talent and treasure aspect and liked the stewardship mission although I figured  I didn't have time because I worked, nor did I have any talent that I was aware of but I thought maybe I could afford to give a little financially. I pledged a weekly amount for Stewardship here at Holy Rosary, the Capital Campaign, the Daughters of  Mary in Uganda and the Annual Catholic Appeal.

 We had to refinance a few years back when Tom had cancer and the roof caved in on our house.  He had a small Social Security check coming in but at least we were both working. Then without warning he lost his job. Now things weren't looking so good and we were having trouble making the house payment.

 This was last winter and we had to go without heat for a 2 months. We went to bed with three layers of clothing on.  I could barely get to work because it was so cold. And I didn't know how long I could keep working.  I got to work at 4:00 am and didn't get home until 4:00 pm.  On top of that I suffered from Sleep Apnea, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Spinal Stenosis from a back injury. At home it was so cold that we didn't do much but shiver.  We didn't tell anyone especially our kids. They had done so much to help us in the past months we didn't want them to know how hard every day was becoming for us.

 In March of this year I lost that job. Within in a few months we were in foreclosure.  I prayed asking God for help. That Sunday at Mass I was reading the Stewardship statement on the front of the bulletin. I read it again and then for a third time. That was it!   I said to God, if you keep a roof over our heads I will work for You through Stewardship!

 Within a few months I became a lector and a Eucharistic minister. I joined the Sacred Heart League, the Women's Spiirtuality Group, the Faith Formation bible classes and the Stewardship Commission. I also help out when they need someone for mailings or other tasks.

 I was able to take a small pension but was charged a hefty penalty  for early withdrawal and  taxes which left enough  to stave off foreclosure and pay the utilities, car payment and other bills. But first off I was able to pay  what I owed the Church for my pledges. I did this because I had to come to believe that when we take care of God's house, He in turn, will take care of  urs.

 After that things started changing.  We unexpectedly received a large payment  from a company who had owed us money since 2001.  And there were other small payments we received from other sources as well.

 PAUSE

 I can honestly say that Stewardship has changed my life.  I have an inner peace that I didn't have before.  I don't worry about the future and what will happen.  I take every day as a new experience and marvel at God's love for us He may not give us everything we want but He gives us everything we need.

 Will we ever be financially wealthy?  Probably not.  But, I have found that Stewardship is wealth in itself.

Thank you for listening.