Have you been keeping up with the latest news from the technology world? Apple has released the new iPad and its latest version of the iPhone. Microsoft, not to be outdone, has released a new phone of its own called the KIN. There are also 3G and 4G networks, larger and higher definition TV’s, Blu-Ray DVDs, and satellite and HD radios. With all these new gadgets, and the advertising blitz that goes along with them, it seems we cannot be satisfied without these great new things. Whether all this rapidly evolving technology really makes our lives easier or simply consumes more of our time is a debatable question. One thing is clear, however – no technology, no new device, or no “thing” can satisfy us or bring us closer to the one person who can fully satisfy us as human beings – God.
Like the words from the Waylon Jennings song, “we are looking for love in all the wrong places.” We search for satisfaction in things, in possessions, hoping that these will bring us happiness and contentment. What fools we are! Jesus himself tells us in the Gospels that he alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Light. Why do we waste our time, energy, and lives chasing after things that give us fleeting satisfaction? St. Augustine had it right when he wrote, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you, O God.” While our society may be telling us to store up riches and possessions on earth and to live for the moment; our Christian faith implores us to store up riches in Heaven because our earthly lives are short and this world is only temporary. Jesus warns us, “Take care to guard against greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
To be truly satisfied as Christians and make the claim to be Jesus’ disciples, we must free our lives from our dependency on “things” and become dependent on God. We must place God first in our lives, ahead of everything and everyone else, including ourselves. While we may search in vain for a “God app,” our iPhones, iTunes, iPads, and other possessions are no replacements for the I AM.
check out this new book:
That famous stewardship duo, our friends and colleagues. Fr. Andrew Kemberling and Mila Glodova of St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial, CO, have put their wisdom and experience into print, courtesy of Our Sunday Visitor. Their book, subtitled 'A Complete Guide for Catholic Parishes,' is a comprehensive guide to parish stewardship. This is definitely a good resource if you are starting out in Stewardship. Fun to read, this book is just like listening to Fr. Andrew and Mila speak! And it's available online at www.osv.com.
- review by Scott Bader, Archdiocese of Seattle
2010 ICSC Conference
September 19-22,
San Diego, CA
Be a part of this international gathering of stewardship practitioners, sharing their experiences, enthusiasm, energy, and ideas, through presentations, networking, exhibits, liturgy and more. . . Money tight this year? Budget the conference into this fiscal year, next fiscal year, or some in each. Contact the ICSC office for more information. It's worth it! Participants leave this conference with ideas that re-pay the conference cost many times over in terms of increased participation and enhanced offertory income.
The conference brochure is available online: http://www.catholicstewardship.org/PDF/2010_ac_reg_broc.pdf
Register online at: http://www.catholicstewardship.org/Conference/register.cfm?ConferenceID=29