Diocese honored for commitment to stewardship

By Charissa M. Carroll
Head Staff Writer

As a clear sign of the commitment Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski has made to promoting a stewardship way of life, the diocese donated $25,000 to the International Catholic Stewardship Council’s newly-launched capital campaign.

In recognition of the leadership role taken by the diocese, a plaque was presented during ICSC’s annual conference, which took place Oct. 5-8 in Chicago.

"Bishop Bootkoski has made it evident that he believes [stewardship] is vital to the Church," said Father Sylvester J. Cronin, director of the diocesan Office of Stewardship, who accepted the award on the bishop’s behalf. "He has a strong desire to help grow and enhance the stewardship committees and programs in our local parishes."

Father Cronin, who also serves as pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, Monmouth Junction, was one of 30 people from parishes throughout the diocese who attended the ICSC conference. The primary purpose of the council, he explained, is to assist dioceses and parishes implement the U.S. bishops’ 1992 pastoral statement, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response.

According to the ICSC website, www.catholicstewardship.org, "The council’s work is aimed at empowering Catholics to live their faith as Christian stewards who generously offer . . . support to their Church as a means of thanksgiving to God."

To help facilitate these goals, the council has launched a $3 million campaign entitled Stewardship: Going Forward Together in Hope. With these donations, the organization will create the following four endowments:

More than $400,000 has already been pledged to the campaign by dioceses, individual parishes and Catholic associations and institutions.