New Jersey parish's outreach to needy puts stewardship in action

Published: 2006-04-13

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (CNS) -- When it comes to helping the poor, Father Leonard F. Rusay is proud that his parish, Our Lady of Lourdes in Whitehouse Station, not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. During a daylong stewardship symposium in the Diocese of Metuchen, the priest hosted a panel of parishioners who described what they do to help the poor of Hunterdon County. Approximately 150 people from 55 parishes gathered at St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Piscataway to share their vision of stewardship and learn the best ways to use their time, talent and treasure in service to the Lord. Father Rusay said stewardship means ownership of faith, of religion and of their parish, "but if we only worry about our own, we are missing an important part of the aspect of what Jesus did. He worked with different people in different places. We must reach out to as many people to let them know God does touch everyone." Our Lady of Lourdes Parish gives 5 percent of its weekly collection, between $600 and $800, to charity.

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