Stewardship is more than giving—it’s a way of living our faith. Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45) is an essential part of how we lead in Lloydminster Catholic School Division. Staff and students work together on service projects to model a commitment to the marginalized while managing the gospel teachings of Matthew 6:1-6. We use our time, talents, and gifts to serve others, care for creation, and strengthen our community in Christ’s love. When asked, “What does it mean to be a steward of God?” Cooper, a Holy Rosary High School student replied, “it means we use our talents to help others; to be selfless and think of others. If you see others who need help, help them without thinking.” Through service, we see the faces of Jesus in our schools.
The stewardship hours, 10 service hours per year, provide students with a structure to serve and an opportunity to be uncomfortable while growing compassion. Cooper states, “It is a great way for our students to help around the community and 1200 students who aim for 10 hours each is 12,000 hours of community service in a year in our community and that makes a difference.” When students were asked what they felt the purpose of these hours were, they indicated that the service work helps them to “feel” what volunteering is, and with that comes compassion for someone they have helped. “For me the service in gr. 8 felt like a chore because I did not want to do it, but now I know I can do what I love and help at the same time. If you love books, volunteer at the library or give to your school through student leadership.” They are living how uncomfortable compassion can be.
Recently a group of 8 Beba Project students decided to help a family in financial need. The family also had a child with a physical impairment. The Beba students felt like if they could relieve some financial burden by getting them a few essentials, the family would have money to address the needs we cannot reach. The students shopped for diapers, baby snacks, baby and toddler pants, winter boots and winter gear. They also put money towards a prayer blanket being crocheted by one of the members to be delivered at Christmas. They are making a prayer card and will pray over the items and for the family before it is delivered. They want the prayer card to be something the mom could use to keep praying for her family. The money for this support comes for the Beba fundraising but the prayer card and compassion comes from the heart of these awesome students. This family was helped last year and now a staff member has volunteered to sew clothing to fit the baby as the physical limitation makes fitting clothes difficult. Staff and students came together again for this family through prayer and essentials for the children.
Together, we witness and encounter Jesus’ presence by walking this journey through faith and service. Ife, a gr. 11 student, commented “stewardship for me is an opportunity to reach to people in the community I would not have if there was no requirement. My desire to be involved and engaged in the community has grown since grade 8 and I benefit from networking and helping people. This has shaped what I want to do in my future.” Through acts of kindness, generosity, and service, we answer the call for greatness beyond ourselves and are called to serve through love and kindness to share the faith of Jesus through stewardship and accompaniment.
