Committee Re-Organizing & Not Currently Meeting

The Stewardship Way of Life Committee works closely with the Pastor, Pastoral Council, and other organizations to promote the use of time, talent, and treasure by all parishioners.

They provide continuing education to all parish members collectively and individually so that all parishioners realize that stewardship is not a program, but a way of life.

They strive to help existing organizations and ministries to obtain new members. Helps parishioners find the organization or ministry where they can best use their time and talents.

They help to show that everything comes from God and that returning a small amount of time, talent and treasure (10%) is the best way to thank God for our gifts. The Stewardship Way of Life emphasizes the need to give more than anyone needs to receive.

Who Is A Christian Steward?
He or she is a person who receives God's gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them in justice and love with others, and returns them with increase to the Lord. The first step in practicing the stewardship way of life is a realization that everything comes from God - our time, our talents, our treasures, our families, our friends, our lives, our faith, eternal life, Jesus, the sacraments, the world around us and everything else. The next step is a conversion of heart and mind where we thank God for all these gifts, accept the responsibility placed on us by them, and use them wisely and lovingly to serve God and others. The parish organization that promotes the stewardship way of life at St. Joseph's is the Stewardship Way of Life Committee (SWOL).

"An Active Parishioner"

An active parishioner is one who is registered in the parish and actively participates in the life and mission of the Parish and the Church. By "actively participating," it is meant, among other things that:

- the person/family is registered in the parish ( included in the parish census)
- the person/family is attending Mass regularly
- the person/family helps the parish through their stewardship gift of talent, time and treasure (the family is receiving and using envelopes)
- the person/family is involved in the religious education programs, social activities, service projects, and fundraising activities of the parish.

The above understanding is used in determining readiness for the celebration of sacraments and enjoying the privileges and support of the Parish Community.

The Stewardship Way of Life Committee meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center. Currently, members of the Welcoming Committee and the Parish Family Life Committee are also a part of these meetings. An annual Parish Stewardship Appreciation Event is held to recognize and show appreciation for the life that so many parishioners bring to St. Joseph (typically coordinated by members of all three committees and other volunteers as needed).

PAST MEMBERS
Tom Smith, Don & Julie Engelhart, Gary & Cyndi Keefer, Joe & Angie Daczko, Brian & Jen Hirsch

ONGOING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES . . .

2008 PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
To mark the 85th Anniversary of St. Joseph Catholic Parish a bound book was created by Buson Portraits tell the story of St. Joseph Parish in word and picture and was made available in the Fall of 2008. There are a limited number of small pocket directories available in the Parish Office (used in new parishioner welcoming packets).

PARISH APPRECIATION EVENT
The Annual Parish Appreciation Event is typically coordinated by members of the Stewardship Committee, Welcoming Committee, and Parish Family Life Committee. The event helps to uphold the ideals of the Stewardship Committee which promotes the importance of Catholic Stewardship as a way of life for individuals and for the parish as a whole. This is the entire parish's way of encouraging and thanking everyone for the use of their time, talents, and treasures.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORTS
4C’s Food Cupboard (Contact - Terri Wilde)
The Crestwood Coalition for Community Care is an organization is devoted to collecting and distributing foodstuffs and other necessities to those in the community who require them. Needs are established through a screening interview with a prospective client. If you know someone in need, please refer them to First Call for Help (330.297.4636). Services are also coordinated with other social service agencies, which are designed to help more long term needs. Monthly collections of these items at weekend Masses are held and members of the parish are always urged to volunteer to help out at their location at the rear of Hilltop Christian Church, 4572 W. Prospect St., Mantua, Ohio 44255. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. If you know someone in need, please refer them to First Call for Help at 330.297.4636. You may send donations or inquiries to: Crestwood Coalition for Community Care, P.O. Box 227, Mantua, OH 44255. Collections held at St. Joseph Parish the 3rd weekend of each month and on Sunday of the Ox Roast Fair weekend.

Salvation Army
Members of the parish take part in this organization’s Bell Ringing and Collection at Christmastime at Mantua Station Drug Pharmacy under the coordination of Robert Sawyer. Volunteers served for one hour shifts on their assigned day. E-mail the Parish Office to volunteer or phone 330.274.2253

Prison Ministry
Prison Ministry is a direct corporal work of mercy - "visit the imprisoned". The Youngstown Diocese offers an excellent introduction to prison ministry in their lay ministry courses. The Diocesan course helps to spiritually prepare you to minister to the incarcerated.
At St. Joseph's, this is a relatively new ministry. At this time, our parish minister, Pat Smith, makes visits to the Portage County Juvenile Detention Center and to the adult women at the Portage County Justice Center. With other parishes, we help to provide a one-hour communion service once a week to both the juveniles and adult women.
For many years, prior to this, St. Joseph has taken part in the "Shoe Box Ministry" at Christmastime with decorated shoe boxes filled with gifts given to prisoners (no longer allowed). This ministry is open to all those interested in and willing to give their time to people with a special need.

For more information about the Stewardship Way of Life, please contact the Parish Office.

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