This timetable in reverse shows the sequencing of activities for conducting a Stewardship effort in the parish.
To use the following calendar, first establish the date of your Stewardship Commitment Sunday, then fill in the dates working backwards from there. On this calendar, the “X” represents Commitment Sunday. For example, the designation “X-10” in the calendar signifies 10 weeks before Commitment Sunday.
| Weeks till Commitment Sunday | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| X-10 | Week of: | Pastor and stewardship council/committee begin recruiting lay witnesses or couples to speak at all Masses on Weekend 1 and Weekend 2. If the parish is not able to recruit volunteers from the parish, the diocese will help find lay witnesses from other parishes. Generally speaking, it is much more effective to use individuals from your own parish. |
| X-9 | Week of: | Mailings to parishioners are planned and scheduled beginning this week. Brochures are either designed by the stewardship committee or ordered from a company that publishes stewardship resources. The Office of Development has a number of brochure templates in Microsoft Publisher that can be personalized for your parish. |
| X-8 | Week of: | Envelopes and letterhead for cover letters are ordered from local printer. Lists of time and talent opportunities are finalized. Time and Talent Brochures and commitment cards are created and sent to printer. |
| X-7 | Week of: | If parish has a newsletter, article about stewardship is written and included in the next issue. |
| X-6 | Week of: | Special activities, such as making posters or banners, are planned and assigned. |
| X-5 | Week of: | First bulletin announcement is placed in church bulletin. Labels for four full parish mailings are ordered. |
| X-4 | Week of: | Lay witnesses meet with pastor to coordinate their remarks. Second bulletin announcement is placed in church bulletin. |
| X-3 | Week of: | Mailing #1 is made to all parishioners following this weekend. Third bulletin announcement is placed in church bulletin. |
| X-2 | Week of: | WEEKEND #1. Pastor’s homily #1. First lay witness presentation. Mailing #2 is sent to all parishioners after Weekend #1. The fourth bulletin announcement is placed in church bulletin. |
| X-1 | Week of: | WEEKEND #2. Pastor’s homily #2. Second lay witness presentation. Mailing #3 is made to all parishioners after Weekend #2. The fifth bulletin announcement is placed in church bulletin, announcing that commitment cards will be mailed to homes during the week and they are to be returned to church the following weekend. *because this week precedes Commitment Sunday, it’s an excellent weekend to host a parish picnic or fellowship event and couple it with a Ministry Fair |
| X | Week of: | WEEKEND #3. – COMMITMENT WEEKEND. Pastor’s homily #3. Cards are presented and collected at Mass. Sixth bulletin announcement is placed in church bulletin. |
| X+1 | Week of: | Commitment card information entered into the database and a thank-you mailing is made to those parishioners who have responded with time, talent and treasure commitment cards. |
| X+2 | Week of: | Ministry leaders should receive a list of names and contact information. All those who make a commitment should be contacted within one month of Commitment Sunday. |