Dear St. Ignatius family,

Do you ever get that nagging feeling that you should be doing more? In the Catholic Church we call that conscience, a concept better explained to us by our mothers as ‘guilt’—the gift that keeps on giving. We are writing you to discuss a different kind of gift, one that is liberating and should make us all feel a sense of pride and ownership—the gift of stewardship.

An in-depth look at stewardship last year made us question whether we truly had given all that we could…and as freely as we should. It has also made us reflect on the changes our parish had undergone in the nineteen years we had been here. Way back when we considered moving to Mobile, we visited St. Ignatius and felt instantly welcomed here. There was a spirituality throughout the school and parish that made us want to send our children to school here…and we have and still do today. But in recent years we had begun to feel a sense of divide—the pews were no longer full, our school census was in serious decline, participation in things like adult religious education and social events had dwindled, and we, too, had begun to participate less. But in the last eighteen months, we have sensed a revival of that old St. Ignatius fervor, and perhaps it is a sign that as a parish we are ready to be re-energized and once again be challenged.

We are now asked to commit our time and talents and prayerfully reflect on what we have pledged of these gifts. Can we spend a few more hours in prayer? Can we make the family sacrifice to be at St. Ignatius on Tuesdays for perpetual adoration? Can we commit to some of the myriad adult education classes offered? Will we encourage and sponsor the RCIA candidate we have thought about for years?

Tithing, however, touches a different nerve in most of us. It is really about shared treasures and the Kingdom to come. St. Matthew (6:21) provides through Jesus’ own words some insight into the relationship of earthly treasure and self: “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Truly, our greatest treasures are those things that money cannot buy. Tithing simply asks that we generously share our lesser treasures…our financial resources that God has given us. We can do that, especially with each others support and encouragement. Personally, we as parents worry more about being asked to return to God His far greater gifts—love, family, happiness, and ultimately someday, life itself. But we shouldn’t kid ourselves that sharing our financial resources is easy. It is not uncommon to give many other things to God but to withhold money for ourselves. There are many types of stewardship, but stewardship of money is one significant tell-tale sign of where our true loyalties lie.

Tithing done sacrificially it can be transforming to the point of being spiritually renewing and uplifting. It is that ever-pesky St. Luke who challenges us with Christ’s own words regarding our possessions: “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure, will in turn be measured out to you” (6:38). Sobering words!

Tithing is simply about doing our ‘little bit’. But repeated over and over again by all of us…well, you know what can happen. And for those of us with children at St. Ignatius, please prayerfully consider your tithe against the Faith foundation our children and families receive here. We can all surely do better than simply honoring the minimum tithe required of us.

And most of all, remember this. In the end, it is God who asks for our tithe. It is God who blesses us with His gifts to share. And it is God who will one day ask each of us for an accounting of how generously we shared those gifts with others.

God’s blessings and peace to you and your family. Your fellow parish family members,

-Dick and Susan Duffey