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Meet Parishioner Diane Cooper: Newest Member of Our Stewardship Committee
The introduction to Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response — the 1992 U.S. Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship — serves as a wonderful description of why stewardship is such an important part of living as an intentional disciple of Jesus: “Stewardship is an expression of discipleship, with the power to change how we understand and live out our lives. Disciples who practice stewardship recognize God as the origin of life, the giver of freedom, the source of all they have and are and will be.”
In order to reinforce our dedication to the stewardship way of life here at St. Philip Neri, our parish has a Stewardship Committee. This group helps the church encourage parishioners to make active stewardship a part of their everyday lives.
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Parishioner Diane Cooper recently became a new member of our Stewardship Committee, joining Fr. Fabio Refosco, Parish Communications Coordinator Jen Fredenberg, Business Manager Lynda Curry, and Volunteer Coordinator Jenny Funk.
Diane joined our parish when she moved to the area in 2010. She quickly came to love the active spirit and close-knit community at St. Philip Neri, and knew that she would eventually get involved in parish life.
“I’ve been a member of 12 different parishes in eight different states in my lifetime,” Diane says. “I knew I needed to get involved to really feel a part of the community and practice my religion. In some parishes I belonged to, I only went to Mass on Sundays and I really didn’t get to know any of the people or the priests. I think when you do that, you’re losing a huge part of why you go to church. Now I know that I need to be involved to have my heart fulfilled and have that sense of being part of the Catholic community.”
Knowing firsthand the blessings that come with engagement in parish life, Diane began serving St. Philip Neri as a sacristan and Eucharistic Minister, as well as helping with the Italian Festival and spending time in adoration. She has a long history of involvement in non-profit organizations and was the Chair of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity.
Our Stewardship Committee invited Diane to serve with them after witnessing her dedication to service. Diane was both surprised and honored!
“I was totally humbled, amazed and dumbfounded,” she says. “I had never really thought about stewardship — it was just something you did. I was brought up that you go out to help others and do for others, so it’s just part of my being. The Stewardship Committee seemed a perfect fit because I really do like to help people.”
Jen Fredenberg considers Diane to be a “wonderful gift” to the Stewardship Committee this year, bringing with her a servant’s heart and many years of experience with non-profit organizations.
Jen looks forward to the months ahead as the Stewardship Committee prepares for the annual parish Stewardship Renewal. During this time, parishioners are invited to reflect on the ways they might be called to serve the parish and community in thanksgiving for God’s many blessings.
“The ultimate goal is to encourage us as Catholics to deepen our relationship with Christ and express that conversion through the gifts of time, talent and treasure back to the parish,” Jen says. “I think the overarching desire to make stewardship a way of life in the parish is resonating with a lot of the parishioners. Fr. Fabio is 100-percent committed to making sure we continue on this journey.”
Jen and Diane — with the rest of the Stewardship Committee — hope that all parishioners will prayerfully consider engaging more deeply with parish life during this year’s Stewardship Renewal process. St. Philip Neri is richly blessed with a vibrant faith family that is growing every day, and there is truly a ministry or parish activity for everyone!
“You need to choose something to do that you know will bring joy to your life,” Diane says. “The Great Commandment is that you love God with your heart and soul and your neighbor as yourself. So I think you need to look inside and say, ‘How do you love your neighbor, how is that done?’”
