CHARLESTON — The Office of Stewardship and Mission Advancement of the Diocese of Charleston received recognition for its creative approach to giving time, talent and treasure at the parish level.
The International Catholic Stewardship Council awarded the department an honorable mention in excellence in materials for total diocesan stewardship effort.
The award was presented to Michael Gocsik, secretary of stewardship and mission advancement, and Jim Myers, director, at the ICSC’s annual conference in Chicago Oct. 5.
This is the first award of its kind for the diocese, Gocsik said. Stewardship kits from approximately 120 other dioceses were considered for the award.
The South Carolina materials included a parish guide to stewardship, which provides parish leaders with the nuts and bolts of how to incorporate an effective stewardship program, and “Caring and Sharing,” a guide to stewardship for children and teens, which includes a series of three classroom posters designed to highlight simple ways to inspire children to see stewardship in action. The posters were designed by Nancy Schwerin, graphic designer on the diocesan staff.
The packet also includes the “Conversation in Stewardship” video series showing Bishop Robert J. Baker and other religious leaders — including Bishop Michael Warfel of Juneau, Alaska, and Father Francis Kline of Mepkin Abbey — discussing various aspects of stewardship and how Catholics can incorporate it into their daily lives.
“These works are a reflection of the true spirit of stewardship in the Diocese of Charleston through the efforts of a handful of parish volunteers and the talents of our diocesan staff,” Gocsik said. “These are quality materials that were developed at minimal cost. As a result, the diocese was able to provide parishes in South Carolina with a collection of resources based on successes of parish and diocesan stewardship programs from across the country at no cost to them.”