I want to begin by sharing an honest experience from the past several months of my life. A year ago, this parish was the last place I imagined I would be. I didn’t seek a large parish. I aspired to be a good and holy priest, but I also liked comfort, time for myself, and being close to family. Then I got an email from the bishop. Suddenly, everything was about to change.
After talking with the bishop, the first person I wanted to speak to was my mother. She would understand. She has a remarkable way of living stewardship through her life. She raised eleven children, gave herself entirely to her family, and even when diagnosed with MS, she remained joyful. When I became a priest, she gave me to the Church, trusting God’s plan. And now, when I was called to move again, she gave me away once more—with joy and peace, not sadness.
Her response reminded me of what true stewardship looks like. Those who live a life of giving, of obedience, and of trust experience a deep joy. My mother lives this way every day. She has received more than she could have imagined because she has learned to give everything back to God. Her life shows how obedience to God’s will brings freedom, joy, and peace.
This has been my experience as well. Obedience and trust in God’s call—though not always easy—have been incredibly freeing. True stewardship binds obedience, joy, and trust together in the heartbeat of discipleship. We trust that what God gives us—our time, talents, responsibilities, even unexpected assignments—is for our good and His glory. That trust leads to obedience, and obedience leads to a joy that is deep, abiding, and independent of life going perfectly.
In these first months here, I’ve begun to see the beauty of this in our parish community. Joy comes when we live with open hearts, giving back what God has entrusted to us, not just doing more or signing up for more ministries. It is a way of life where everything is received as gift and everything is returned in love. In that yes, in that surrender, there is true freedom—the freedom to serve, to love, and to rejoice in whatever God asks of us.
As we think about joy and stewardship, it’s impossible to ignore the challenges of our world today. During a recent clergy conference, Father John Ricardo spoke about what he called the “new great depression”—not an economic one, but a crisis of emotional and spiritual well-being. Studies show that more than half of teens report they don’t enjoy life. They feel their lives are not useful, and mental health struggles have skyrocketed. This isn’t limited to teens; people of all ages are feeling the effects of isolation, lack of purpose, and the loss of authentic relationships.
So where do we find joy in a world that often feels empty? The culture offers temporary comfort, self-centered freedom, and distractions—but these cannot satisfy the soul. True joy, lasting joy, is found here in the Church. The Church is more than a building or institution; it is the living Body of Christ. Through her, we reconnect with God, rediscover our moral compass, and find our identity as beloved sons and daughters of God. When we participate in parish life—through the sacraments, prayer, ministry, and community—we replace isolation with belonging, despair with joy, and emptiness with purpose.
This is not theoretical. I have seen it firsthand. A few weeks ago, we hosted a youth event at the rectory—about forty or fifty kids came together. They laughed, learned, and formed authentic friendships. They were hungry for truth, beauty, and goodness—things social media and the world cannot satisfy. Witnessing their joy reminded me that our parish is a place where that hunger is met, where the next generation can experience life in Christ in a tangible way.
Our parish offers countless opportunities to live this life of joy and stewardship. We have over a hundred ministries and a school that teaches values, discipline, and, most importantly, faith in Jesus Christ. Catholic education here is supported through a stewardship model—something rare and precious in our country. And the results speak for themselves: our students not only learn, they thrive academically and spiritually. We have a parish full of faithful people who live the stewardship way of life, who give generously of their time, talent, and treasure, and who do so with joy.
To those who already live the stewardship way of life, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your sacrifice, your trust, and your example. Your commitment not only supports our parish today but also builds a foundation for the future. And to those who may be hesitant or struggling, I understand. Life can be hard. It can feel overwhelming. But I invite you to trust, to pray, and to experience the joy that comes from living the Gospel. God will not disappoint.
Just as my mother told me, “This is what God is calling you to do. You are the one who needs to be there,” I say the same to each of you: this is what God is calling you to do. He is calling you to give, to serve, and to belong. He is calling you to discover that true joy comes not from comfort or control, but from surrender and communion with Him. When we say yes to God and yes to the life of the parish, we find freedom—the freedom to love, to serve, and to rejoice.
The joy of stewardship is the joy of giving rather than grasping, of serving rather than being served, and of belonging to something far greater than ourselves.
It is the joy that comes from knowing that our lives have purpose, that our gifts matter, and that our hearts are aligned with God’s will. That is the joy we see in our parish, in
our ministries, in our school, and in the lives of all those who choose to say yes to God each day.
So let us remember that the world may feel chaotic, that life may challenge us, and that our culture often distracts us from what truly matters. But here, in the community of St. Francis, we find hope, meaning, and joy. May we continue to give generously, live faithfully, and walk together in stewardship, trust, and love. May our hearts remain open, our yes be sincere, and may the joy of Christ fill every corner of our lives.
Father James Schibi, Pastor