It’s time to nominate your parish

Although they’re not looking forward to the competition, parishioners at Our Lady of the Pines are encouraging other parishes and missions to enter a nomination for the 2007 parish stewardship award.

Being the recipient for the 2005 Bishop Curtis Guillory helped Our Lady of the Pines take another giant step forward on their journey to total stewardship. The award provided funds for special training for two parishioners, Lynn Stacy and Madeline Arnett.

“The two brought back a wealth of information to the parish. They helped us identify several areas that needed improvement including hospitality,” said stewardship committee member Lynda Apodaca.

“We had been doing a pretty good job in that area, but things have gotten even better thanks to the extra training,” Apodaca said. “We have a small but growing Hispanic community in Woodville. Many of the new immigrants were going to Protestant churches instead of coming here.

“We’ve now added two new members to our stewardship committee who are Hispanic, and our Bishop’s Faith Appeal chairs have also become part of our committee,” she said

Our Lady of the Pines is the process of developing a DVD to give to new parishioners as part of a welcome package.

“We’re submitting our names again to be the recipient for this year’s award because of all the improvements we’ve made,” Apodoca said.

The Bishop Curtis Guillory Stewardship award was established in 2004 by the Diocesan Stewardship Council to be given each year to the parish or mission that made the greatest stride toward total Stewardship. The award also provides funding for stewardship training at the Msgr. McGread Stewardship Conference or the International Catholic Stewardship Institute. St. Anne Parish in Beaumont was the 2004 recipient and Our Lady of Light, Anahuac, and Casa Madre Teresa, Smith Point, were the 2006 recipients.

Parishes and missions who believe they have made great strides in the areas of time, talent and treasure during the 2007 year should submit either a video or scrapbook along with a short letter to the Office of Stewardship and Communications no later than April 7.

“We are extending the deadline for parishes and missions. Because of the Easter holiday some parishes are needing a little more time to get their entry completed,” said Letty Lanza, director of Stewardship and Communications.

“I also want to remind pastors that their parish doesn’t need to be the best stewardship parish, but the one that’s made the greatest change since last year,” she said.

Apodaca echoes that thought.

“We’re still not at 100 percent of participation by parishioners in our offertory collection or our contributions to the diocesan annual appeal. But we are edging up toward 50 percent for the appeal. That’s an improvement and one we will mention when we enter this year.”

Council has also extended the deadline for the Msgr. Richard DeStefano award to April 7. That award is given to an individual whose life personifies the teaching of Stewardship.

Council has received nominations for 29 individuals so far this year.

They are Christine Domain, Sue Hayes, Wilda Carrier, Yolanda Ozan, Oscar Trahan, Justin Thibodeaux, all from Our Mother of Mercy, Ames.

Also, Louella Lemond, Sacred Heart, Raywood; Ruth Ann White, Blessed Sacrament, Beaumont; Maxine Jean and Paul Jean, Our Lady of the Assumption, Beaumont; Lewis & Mary Ida Laurent, St. Jude Thaddeus, Beaumont.

And, Chris Penning, St. Henry, Bridge City; Luis Alvarez, Ruben & Lucelva Castro, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Port Arthur; Barbara McCarty, St. Mark the Evangelist, Silsbee; and Bobby Simon and Nita Jensenius, St. Charles Borromeo, Nederland. Mrs. J.S. Polk, St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School, Beaumont.

Also, Madeline Arnett, Bob Jacobs, Diane Johnston, Janet MacGinnis, Frances Martin, Helen Owens, Lynn Stacy, Dave & Flo Strickland, all from Our Lady of the Pines, Woodville.