We Are The Disciples of Christ
"Mature disciples make a conscious, firm decision, carried out in action, to be followers of Jesus Christ no matter what the cost to themselves. Beginning in conversion, change of mind and heart, this commitment is expressed not in a single action, nor even in a number of actions over a period of time, but in an entire way of life. It means committing one's very self to the Lord. Stewardship is an expression of discipleship with the power to change how we understand and live out our lives. Disciples who practice stewardship recognize God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all they have and are and will be. They are deeply aware of the truth that "The Lord's are the earth and its fullness; the world and those who dwell in it" (Ps 24:1) They know themselves to be recipients and caretakers of God's many gifts. They are grateful for what they have received and eager to cultivate their gifts out of love for God and one another." Stewardship: A Disciple's Resonse, A Pastoral Letter on Stewardship, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 2002.
Consider joining the Stewardship Committee at Sacred Heart. Our goal is to incorporate aspect of stewardship into daily life in our parish. Some new things we have committed ourselves too: New Parishioner Welcome Baskets, Steward of the Month, Children’s Stewardship. We are beginning to brainstorm for a Stewardship Fair. We typically meet the second Thursday of the month from 4:30 –5:30pm in the rectory. All are welcome!!! Contact Jon Olson for more information. 319-232-3550
Stewardship is a way of life deeply rooted in Jesus Christ, who by his example has taught us how to live. He came not to do his own will but the will of the One who sent him. He came not to be served but to serve.
God has given each of us something to do that no one else on earth can do. No one can be the parent, grandparent, or the member of your parish that you are called to be. Through stewardship, Jesus makes clear to each of us our individual mission in the church, giving us the grace to live stewardship as a way of life, a way of holiness and spirituality.
SACRED HEART STEWARDS OF THE MONTH
Paul & Jeanne Lutgen
“Well done, good and faithful servant."
Mt. 25:21
If you see Paul Lutgen, you will most always see his wife, Jeanne, and
vice versa. For this reason, there are two Stewards of the Month for April.
Long-time members of Sacred Heart Church, both are vitally involved as
Sacristans, Eucharistic Ministers, Homebound Ministers and Lectors.
Both serve on the Liturgy committee and for 32 years Jeanne taught
Religious Education to Sacred Heart grade-schoolers, and for the last
10 years of teaching, she was preparing hundreds of second-graders to
receive First Communion
Paul is president of the Sacred Heart Conference of St. Vincent de Paul
and is on site there every Wednesday morning and as a caseworker on
Fridays. Together, he and Jeanne deliver the Eucharist to patients at Allen
Memorial Hospital on the first Sunday and Monday monthly. Also, they
train Eucharistic Ministers and coordinate their schedules.
Jeanne has spent many years serving on the Community Caregiving
Committee and is coordinator of Homebound Ministries. In this capacity
she determines their needs; the Eucharist, Mass tapes, transportation, etc.
"I find it very gratifying to visit the homebound. I get more out of the
visit than they do, I'm sure," she says. Aside from Sacred Heart activities,
Paul is comptroller of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and often
leads the rosary at the funeral home for KC members. His wife is a faithful
member of Court Castile 49 of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
These parents of two, grandparents of six and great-grandparents of six
(plus one in June) strongly believe in family and walking the walk of their faith.