By Gretchen Keiser

The kinds of sacrifices parents make for their children first gave Archbishop John F. Donoghue, then a parish priest, an insight into stewardship.

Watching families make "tremendous sacrifices" for one another revealed generous giving -- of time, of love and attention, of teaching, of money to meet needs. It also showed that this kind of giving is a godly way of life.

Now as a diocesan bishop he speaks to the church family about stepping into a deeper relationship with fellow Catholic Christians and offering more time, more gifts of oneself and one's abilities, and more support to one another.

For the next few weeks, many parishes in the archdiocese will be emphasizing "stewardship" and inviting people to consider what their gifts are and where they are needed to do the work of the church.

But, unlike a short-term program, stewardship is "a way of life," the archbishop said.

The term "stewardship" embraces the concept that good things are God-given and that there is a Gospel imperative to use one's time, abilities and resources in a way that is wise, creative and life-giving to oneself and others.

"Stewardship is being involved with others," Archbishop Donoghue said. "It is an interesting concept. IT has to be encouraged by the pastors" and it also catches on when lay people talk about their own experience of giving to the church family and how their lives have changed for the better.

The term may make some people think first of money, "but that is really the least of it," he said. "The focus is using our time, our talents and our gifts for the church and for the community. It is a way of living, not something we do once a year."

One example of giving, critical to each parish, is the person who teaches religious education.

Across the archdiocese, approximately 3,500 people are catechists who teach elements of the Catholic faith to everyone from three- and four-year-olds in early childhood program to adults who are considering joining the Catholic Church.

According to Annette Kulasa, consultant for children's ministry for the archdiocesan Office of Religious Education, catechists are volunteers who not only give several hours each week to the parish in teaching, planning and preparation time, but who frequently dig into their own pockets for extras to bring a classroom to life.

The number of people benefiting from this gift of teaching is approximately 43,000 across the archdiocese, including about 15,000 children in kindergarten through sixth grade, and about 19,000 adults who pursue continuing education in their faith, including sacramental preparation for their children.

Each year for the past several years, approximately 900 people have joined the Catholic Church at Easter after completing a process of study and conversion, accompanied by fellow Catholics who serve as sponsors, teachers and friends.

"There's always a need for more catechists," especially to work with teens from seventh grade through high school, Ms. Kulasa said. Some parishes regularly are short of people committed to serving as teachers in a variety of age groups.

The enrichment that the giver receives may be varied, but one form is in his or her own continuing education, as catechists are required to continue studying the Catholic faith in order to teach. Evangelization also reinvigorates the faith of the evangelist.

While some may be teachers, Archbishop Donoghue observed that there are many other ways to give time to others through Catholic Social Services or parish outreach programs, through committed intercessory prayer for the specific needs of the parish or wider church community. Giving of time and talent, because it is often of greater sacrifice than giving money and a deeper gift of oneself, leads to a "much better appreciation of what the Lord means by giving," he observed.

A 1992 pastoral letter by the U.S. bishops on stewardship says, "As Christian stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord."