Stewardship Office - About Us

The mission of the Stewardship Office is to advance stewardship as a way of life. As stewards, we believe everything we have is a gift from God; we tend to these gifts gratefully and responsibly; we cultivate and share our gifts with others,and we return them to the Lord with increase.
(USCCB, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response)

It’s All Good News for Grateful Memories…Faithful Future Goals!

Members of the Jubilee Fund Board gathered for their quarterly meeting on May 13, 2010 to review the status of pledges and distributions made to the Grateful Memories…Faithful Future campaign. 

Through March 31st of this year, $15,384,609 has been distributed to the campaign’s designated funds (see chart below). These distributions are on target with the sixty month redemption period for the campaign’s $26 million in donations.

Bishop John R. Gaydos expressed his appreciation that 94% of donors are faithfully meeting their pledge commitments, stating, “Our parishioners’ support makes our ministries possible.”  He encouraged board members to take the good news back to the parishes of the eight deaneries they represent. 

Providing the people of our parishes with up-to-date information about the ministries supported by GMFF has been a key commitment of the Jubilee Fund Board members.  “Our parishioners want to know that we are taking care of our priests and the teachers who teach our children,” said Mike Kehoe, campaign co-chair and vice-president of the board, adding, “and thanks to the people of this diocese and the members of the Jubilee Fund Board, we are.”

In addition to Bishop Gaydos, members of the board are:
Mr. Doug Brooking, Mexico Deanery representative
Mr. Joe DeLong, Jefferson City Deanery representative;
Mr. Dennis Devine, Sedalia/Lake Ozark Deanery representative;
Mr. Spike Ehrhardt, Hannibal Deanery representative;
Rev. Msgr. Michael Flanagan, E.V., Our Lady of Lourdes parish, Columbia;
Rev. Msgr. Greg Higley, V.G., Diocese of Jefferson City;
Mr. Mike Kehoe, Campaign General Co-Chair;
Rev. Msgr. Donald Lammers, pastor, St. Peter Parish, Jefferson City;
Miss Delores Miller, Mexico Deanery representative;
Al Rackers, Columbia Deanery representative;
Mrs. Barbara Reichart, Westphalia Deanery representative;
Mr. Ted Roth, Rolla Deanery representative;
Mr. John Sheehan, Campaign General Co-Chair;
Rev. Patrick Shortt, pastor, Our Lady of the Snows parish, Mary’s Home;
Mr. Dan Van Ingen, Kirksville Deanery representative;
Rev. Msgr. Michael Wilbers, E.V., Our Lady of the Lake parish, Lake Ozark

Annual stewardship retreats: Host diocesan stewardship retreat every other year and co-sponsor a retreat  with our regional stewardship peers the following year.

Evening With the Bishop:  With the help of a volunteer steering committee, we coordinate an annual dinner and auction to raise awareness of and financial support for religious and priestly vocations. Evening with the Bishop will be held April 29th, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia Missouri.

Giving Opportunities

Catholic Stewardship Appeal. The appeal is the primary funding source for diocesan ministries. To provide your support, please contact the Stewardship Office or make an on-line donation.

Grateful Memories…Faithful Future Capital Campaign.  The first and only effort of this magnitude in the diocese, the GMFF campaign has raised $26 million to support priest and lay retirement, the Diocesan Excellence in Education Fund for teachers in our Catholic Schools, and seed money for a regional Catholic high school in Columbia.  For information or to provide your support for this 5-year effort, please contact the Stewardship Office or make an on-line donation.

Memberships

The diocese is a member of the International Catholic Stewardship Council, whose primary goal is to promote the concept of Christian stewardship. To learn more about becoming a parish or individual member, please contact the Stewardship Office.

Parish Services

Provide parishes with and train teachers and catechists on stewardship curriculum; training and workshops to parish groups and leadership, and a myriad of services related to stewardship.

Planned Giving

Promote planned giving by hosting educational seminars, meeting with individual donors, and providing resource information regarding wills, trusts, IRAs and other estate planning vehicles.

Contact Information