STEWARDSHIP—LIVING CHRISTIANITY [ RADICALLY]

New World Articles

By Tim Dockery

I don't remember exactly when the change occurred. At some point, maybe towards the end of my high school days, I discovered that my anticipation for Christmas had subtly shifted. As a child, I eagerly awaited Christmas morning and the thrill of the presents that were waiting under the tree. It was a painful agony to wait for my turn to tear into the next package.

But at some point, all that changed. Instead of receiving gifts, my excitement was based on the joy I hoped would result from the gifts that I gave. Those hours of thoughtfully choosing the perfect book for Mom, the most intriguing gadget for Dad, the obscure album that would open a whole new musical genre for my little brother, became more enjoyable for me.

I have also experienced a similar shift in my relationship with God. I once looked only to what I hoped God would give to me; good grades, a grandparent's recovery from illness, more patience with my brother. But as I matured, I found that I was most thrilled when I gave gifts to God, such as when I helped serve meals to the homeless, using my talents to motivate financial support for the work of the church, and contributing to ministries that reached out to people in need.

The Annual Catholic Appeal is a wonderful opportunity to experience the joy and pleasure that comes from giving a wonderful gift to someone else. Perhaps it is the gift of our Catholic faith, passed on to the next generation through our schools and our religious education ministries. Maybe it is the joy of a woman facing a crisis pregnancy who is connected with an entire parish to help support her in choosing life for her baby through our Elizabeth Ministry. Or it could be the excitement of a parish in an economically struggling community receiving a grant to repair their church. All of these are made possible when you support the Annual Catholic Appeal.

In Corinthians 2:9, Paul assures us that we, ". will be enriched in every way for great generosity." Let's believe God's promise and experience the joy that comes from being generous!

Dockery is director of development services for the Archdiocese of Chicago. He can be reached at (312) 534-7928.