The remedy for a culture sick from the “toxic venom of ‘isms” — individualism, materialism, relativism, and even hedonism — is a healthy dose of lived stewardship, said the keynote speaker at the Diocesan Stewardship Conference on Tuesday.

“The good news is the body of Christ is alive and well and does make a tremendous difference each and every day,” said Father Daniel Mahan in remarks to about 100 parish representatives at the annual gathering, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Development and Stewardship.

Stewardship is “not about a balanced budget, but making sure every member of the parish has an opportunity to find his or her calling or vocation,” added Father Mahan, who is executive director of the Marian College Center for Catholic Stewardship in Indianpolis, Ind. Once Catholics discover that, he said, they will give from their blessings of time, talent, and treasure to assist the mission of the church.

“The Lord didn’t say ‘maintain a balanced budget,’ but ‘go to the ends of the earth,'” he told the group. “The mission of the church is far greater than anything we can imagine.”
In addition to healing the culture and supporting the church’s mission, stewardship also benefits the individual who has “a need to give, be a part of something bigger than ourselves” and show their gratitude to God, said Father Mahan.

The day began with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC. Afternoon sessions included examples of stewardship in a small parish by Father Michael Monclova and the stewardship team from St. Anthony’s Parish, Atkinson, and from a large parish by Msgr. Jason Gray, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Peoria.