THE CALL

God calls us individually and intends for each one of us to play a unique role in carrying out the divine plan.  The challenge, then, is to understand our role-- our vocation-- and to respond generously to this call from God. 

Stewardship is a vocation to discipleship.  The Mature disciple makes a firm decision to be a follower of Christ and to imitate His way of life no matter what the cost.  Disciples practice Stewardship as a way of life. 

TO FOLLOW FAITHFULLY

We are called to be faithful and loyal to the teachings of the Church- to practice our faith consistently and sacramentally.  Following faithfully defines itself in our lives, family lives, attendance at and participation in the life of the parish Church. 

Stewardship is a lifestyle, a life of total accountablity and responsibility, acknowledging God as the Creator and Owner of all.  Christian Stewards see themselves as the caretakers of all God's gifts.  Gratitude for these many gifts is expressed in prayer, worship, offering and action.  Stewardship is a way of thanking God for all our blessings by returning to God a portion of the many gifts that we have been given.  It involves the intentional, planned and proportionate giving of all we have. 

God has given each of us certain things, and we are responsible for caring for them and are accountable for what we do with them.  Stewardship rejects the notion that we must "have it all" and instead demonstrate the value of giving in love, in service and in justice.  GOod stewards have an "attitude of gratitude." 

As with all things pertaining to the Gospel, Stewardship is fundamentally the work of the Spirit in our lives.  When we accept our lives as sheer gifts, the Spirit can use us as apt instruments for spreading the Gospel. 

What are your gifts from God?
When the time comes for us to consider sharing our special gifts of time and talent, what if we are not sure of what they are?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when considering the stewardship opportunities which are best suited for your special gifts. Think about it, pray about it, take a leap of faith and fill out one of the following sheets.

Evangelization – Are you…

Generally, a good communicator? Feeling drawn to build discipleship? Compelled to help others understand the Jesus story?

Shepherding – Do You…

Have a knack for uniting people? Encourage a team approach to problems? Influence others to get involved?

Teaching – Do You…

Set high standards of excellence? Enjoy presenting what you have learned? Have patience and understanding?

Encouraging – Do You…

Always try to encourage others? Have a strong sense of concern? Enjoy using your skills to communicate?

Mercy – Are You…

Concerned for the individual? Sympathizing and empathetic? Often doing what no one else likes to do?

Serving – Are You Often…

Found working behind the scenes? Helping others without really thinking about it? Motivated to “do whatever needs to be done?”

Administration – Do you…

Have a strong sense of organization? Focus on team activities vs. individual? Have a knack for delegating / following up?

Creative – Can You …

Think outside the box? Talk to God more effectively without speaking? Deliver a message through song or instrument? Think of ways to communicate other than speaking?

At the 50th anniversary of our founding, we are grateful for the work and dedication of the faithful generations who went before us.  They made great sacrifices and nurtured the faith that has been entrusted to us today so that we can continue to praise God here at Espiritu Santo.

Now it’s our time to undertake the critical work to insure we can pass on what’s been entrusted to us. Honoring Our Past… Building Our Future seeks to raise $4 million for the following two phases of projects:

PROJECT PHASE I:  $1,911,000

$1,400,000 - Loan Principal Reduction
Honoring Our Past… Building Our Future seeks to cut our remaining principle of $2.8 million in half, making the monthly payments on the balance more manageable.

$316,000 - Parish Center Repairs and Updates
Through this campaign, $316,000 will be designated to install a new roof, provide for a new acoustical ceiling system, upgrades to the lighting system, new porcelain floor tile, exterior paint, and restroom refurbishment.

$195,000 - 50th Anniversary Entry Courtyard and Porte-cochere
Funds from this campaign will be used to create a united entry courtyard between our Church building and the Parish Center, and add a new porte-cochere in front of the Parish Center.

PROJECT PHASE II:  $2,089,000

$535,300 - Parish Walkway and New Service Entrance Drive
A new, covered walkway will span from the existing walkway between the church and Parish Center, to the new porte-cochere, past the church offices to the school.  This project would also include the addition of a new service driveway to run behind the Parish Center to the school.

$153,700 – Gift Shop Relocation and Ladies Restroom Expansion
It is our hope to move the Gift Shop from the Church to the Parish Center.  In doing so, we will then be able to expand the Ladies restroom in the Church.

$1,400,000 – Additional Loan Reduction
All remaining funds raised will be applied to the balance of our loan.

Links to additional Honoring Our Past...Building Our Future Documents:

Campaign Brochure

Prayer Card

For those who wish to contribute to the Espiritu Santo Capital Campaign or the Annual Pastoral Appeal:
Contribute Now

This group plans and executes strategies to help the children of the parish understand the true meaning of stewardship through special events, school and Religious Education classes, liturgies and activities aimed at K-12th grades.

The Annual Pastoral Appeal is a centralized campaign designed to give each of the Diocese's 81 parishes and missions every opportunity to reach their maximum potential. It is meant to be a resource to educate our faithful on their parish's share of our larger Diocesan Church.

Through an assessment, every parish and mission is required to support our diocesan operations, services and ministries that in turn meet the physical, educational and spiritual needs of thousands throughout our five county faith community that one parish could not meet alone. This allows each one of us, as one, united in faith, to fulfill God's call to spread the good news and to love and serve one another.

Our Lord Jesus Christ calls each one of us to be generous in thought, word and deed. He teaches us that in the measure we give, we also receive. Every Catholic is invited and encouraged to make a commitment to Christ's ministry through the mission of our Church here in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

For those who wish to contribute to the Annual Pastoral Appeal: Contribute Now

Your gift to the Annual Pastoral Appeal is needed,
appreciated and well used.

WHY MAKE A GIFT?

To demonstrate your spirit of thanks and
gratitude to God for all His many gifts to you.

To give thanks to God for your faith, your
ability, your health and your family.

To give outward proof of what your Catholic
faith means to you through your example of
personal sacrifice.

To share the spiritual and temporal blessings
that come to those who assist in developing God's work.

Detailed Distribution and Pastoral Center Budget