Dear Friends,

In this past Sunday's gospel, Jesus offers a very challenging, seemingly impossible approach to daily life. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak do not withhold even your tunic.” It makes one want to say, “Seriously, Lord?” And He doesn’t stop there. Jesus adds, “Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.”

It seems so unfair! That is unless we look at this way of life from a stewardship point of view. Then, not only does it seem doable (though challenging), but it also actually makes perfect sense. A steward understands clearly that all he has and all that he is — his very life — is a gift from God given to him from an unfathomable abundance of love. This changes everything! This means “my” cloak, “my” tunic, “my” money, and time — all of it ultimately belongs to God. He has entrusted these things to each of us in love to use for His purposes and His glory.

Does this mean we are to be passive “doormats” to anyone who wants to take advantage of us? Certainly not. Jesus explains this in the next verse of this passage when He says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” There is nothing wrong with loving oneself since God loves us and has made us in His own image and likeness. Jesus is simply asking that we also approach others, and the sharing of our gifts, with this same attitude. He is giving us a definition here of real love, a steward’s love!

In fact, Jesus tells us that anything short of this is not love at all. “For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.”

Jesus gives us a bit of loving motivation. “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 return be measured out to you.” Our wonderful God and Father simply will not be outdone in love. Be generous with your gifts — with your life — and just watch what He will do!

Gratefully,

Terri Gadzinski, Executive Director
Stewardship & Development, Diocese of Marquette
Upper Peninsula Catholic Foundation
tgadzinski@dioceseofmarquette.org

The Office of Stewardship and Development along with the Office of Faith Formation held a webinar of grant writing tips for the Legacy of Faith grant applications for faith formation. If you are interested in helping your parish offer exciting faith formation programs, watch the webinar here, and talk to your pastor today!

It’s Almost Fish Fry Season! 🐟 
The Lenten season usually brings us some great fish fries like the one at Holy Name (above). Use the blue reply button at the end of this note to share your favorite fish fry!

Also, look for a classic Fat Tuesday recipe in this Friday’s edition of The U.P. Catholic newspaper. 

Ironwood’s local newspaper, The Daily Globe, has recognized Our Lady of Peace (Ironwood) with the 'Best Church' award as part of their Readers’ Choice Best of the Best 2021 contest. Congratulations to Fr. Binu and all the parishioners of Our Lady of Peace!

Fr. Corey Litzner will be leading men's retreats this March, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. All the retreats are open to all men whether or not they are members of the Knights of Columbus. Dates are as follows:

March 15th:  St. Michael's in Marquette
March 22nd:  St. Gregory's in Newberry
March 28th:  Holy Name of Mary in Sault Ste. Marie
March 29th:  St. Ignatius of Loyola in Houghton
March 30th:  Our Lady of Peace in Ironwood

The schedule will be the same for all of them:
6:00 p.m. dinner
6:30 - 8:30 retreat

"A Devotional Journey into the Mass: How to Encounter Jesus in the Eucharist," with guest speaker Christopher Carstens, will show us how to meet Jesus in the Mass’ various signs and symbols, such as the church door and the sign of the cross; to hear his voice in the Church’s words in the Opening Prayer and the scriptural readings; to join our hearts to his during the offertory and Eucharist Prayer, and to share in his own divine life by the worthy reception of the Eucharist. Christ “stands at the door and knocks,” waiting to welcome us at Mass: this presentation will help us open the door of our hearts to him.

NMU Catholic Campus Ministry participated virtually in SEEK21, an annual national event that brings thousands of Catholic college students and young adults together in faith. Jessica Rutkowski, a Fellowship of Catholic University Students missionary, said, "This conference helps fuel the flame of faith and lays a foundation for the rest of their lives that will impact more than this generation." Events like this are supported by your generous gifts to Legacy of Faith.

Many of us still instinctively cling to the notion of keeping paper copies of everything—even electronic files we print out for posterity. There is nothing wrong with that. Just be sure to have a filing system that enables you to put your hands on what you need, when you need it. But if you want to declutter check out our friendly guide here to decide what to save (and for how long), what to shred (and when), and what to share (and with whom).