What identifies a good steward?

Over the past several weeks, we as a parish have been reflecting on a simple but important question: What does it mean to be a parishioner? Along with this, we have considered our responsibility as Christian disciples. These reflections naturally lead us to a deeper truth: as we grow in spiritual maturity, we also grow in generosity and stewardship.  In many ways, our generosity is a measure of our spiritual lives. It reveals the depth of our trust in God. The more we trust Him, the more freely we give—of ourselves, our time, and the gifts He has entrusted to us. 

So, what identifies a good steward? 

Certainly, generosity is at the heart of stewardship. A good steward gives of their time, talent, and treasure. But Christian stewardship is more than simply giving—it is a way of life. As Christian stewards, we receive God’s gifts with gratitude, cultivate them with responsibility, share them with love and justice, and return them to the Lord with increase.  This kind of generosity changes us. It transforms not only how we see what we have, but how we see others, especially the poor and those in need. We begin to recognize that what we have is not meant to be kept for ourselves, but to be shared for the good of all. As members of the Church, we are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. This call is not casual—it is total. Mature disciples make a conscious decision to follow the Lord, no matter the cost. They allow themselves to be transformed through conversion, experiencing a change of mind and heart that conforms them more closely to Christ.  Christian stewardship flows from this discipleship. It shapes how we understand our lives. We come to see that God is the origin of all life, the giver of our freedom, and the source of every blessing. With grateful hearts, we recognize all that we have been given, and we desire to use those gifts to love God and serve one another. 

This is the heart of stewardship: gratitude in action. 

I invite each of you to reflect prayerfully on your own stewardship. 

How are you growing in generosity? 

How are you participating in the life of our parish? 

How are you maturing in your faith? 

And perhaps most importantly: 

Where is God calling you to give more of yourself? Can you deepen your commitment of time in prayer or service?  Can you share your talents more fully for the good of the parish?  Can you grow in sacrificial giving, trusting more completely in God’s providence? Each of us has received a gift. Each of us is needed. And each of us is called to respond.If you’re not currently giving, would you consider starting with $10 a week? If you already give weekly, would you consider adding an extra $10 to your gift? As you may know over the past couple of years we have had a budget deficit.

Our reserve funds have covered it as well as all the maintenance issues we have incurred. The deficit is not due to mismanagement or irresponsible spending; it is largely due to the large percentage of our parish who are not participating in sharing their gifts. While our parish continues to grow in number of people, as well as in operational expenses, the collections have remained virtually the same.  Our parish has been gifted with so much from its inception and it continues today. Jesus states, “Everyone to whom much is given, of him will much be required” (Lk 12:48). Each of us has a responsibility to be good stewards of our parish, beginning with me. I call on each family to do their part in being good stewards of our parish. Our wealth and strength at St. William comes from the number of parishioners.  With all of us working together, we can overcome the deficit and move into a surplus—allowing us to pay off our debt more quickly while continuing the great ministry of our parish for the glory of God and caring for our large campus.

We are a privileged parish doing incredible ministry—evangelizing, catechizing, and facilitating healing encounters with Jesus Christ. I am grateful to God for allowing to build his kingdom right here in Round Rock, Texas with such an incredible parish community! But it requires each of us give in time, talent, and treasure to maintain the mission. I invite you to live this call with joy and conviction—a parish of grateful stewards, faithful disciples, and generous hearts. 

Remember that this is our home where we love, live, and serve as one family. In all that we do, may we be able to say with confidence: “Here I am, Lord. You can count on me.” 

P.S. Don’t forget St. William while you are on vacation this summer. Please consider setting up online giving to continue the good work taking place in our parish.  God bless you.

Fr. Francisco Rodriguez III

Pastor