Have you ever had a conversation about your faith when you are away from Church? Have you ever suggested to another person that maybe they should consider coming to Church?
As we go through our lives, opportunities such as these often present themselves. When they do, there are a couple of things taking place. You are acting as a good steward, by using your gift of faith to reach out to another of God’s loved ones. You may not know “where” the other person is, but they may be in great need of God’s love. You may be the means that God is using to reach out to that individual.
An angel is God’s messenger. You never know when God is using you as an angel for another person. All it takes is a smile, an invitation, a casual remark, each of these can make a difference in another person’s life. A casual conversation with another person about your faith, or your parish can mean all the difference in the world and can really be a sign of your Attitude of Gratitude.

Two weeks ago, many of us participated in a wonderful example of Stewardship. Super Bowl Chickens! What? Yep, that's right, Super Bowl Chickens.
The Knights of Columbus are a men's fraternal organiza­tion dedicated to charitable work and the support of the Church. These men are constantly using their talents, time and financial gifts to help the local parish, community and the nation.
Few of us ever think of how our basic skills can be used to support God's kingdom. To pull off last weeks' effort, there were men who cut and hauled firewood, men who bought the meat, men who pre-sold the previous week­ends, men preparing the birds Saturday night and those here on Sunday to cook, wrap and deliver the birds. Finally there were those who participated by purchasing and enjoy­ing the wonderful fare.
None of these things seem particularly holy or Godly as individual tasks, however the proceeds went to support the Seminarians of our parish, who in turn have volunteered their lives to support God's people of future parishes, per­haps even our own.
The next time you are wondering how you can show your Attitude of Gratitude, just think of the example set by the Knights of Columbus. Week in and week out, they are a shining example of stewardship right in our midst.

I am about 2/3 of the way through Matthew Kelly's book, "Rediscovering Catholicism." I thought I would paraphrase one chapter, because it talks so clearly about an issue many parishes (including ours) struggle with.
"The Collection – At this time a basket is passed so that we can contribute financially to the mission of the Church. What we place in the basket we are giving to God and to the needy. It is a real and practical expression of loving God and neighbor"
"Engage: Give generously – not because your parish needs the money, not because the priest gave a good hom­ily and not because others might know what you gave. Give because we have a real and present spiritual need to give." "In God we trust, it says on our money. But do we? This regular Sunday giving is a sign of letting go, a sign of surrender. Too often in our society we give with lots of strings attached. Often I hear people say, "I don't give to the Church because I don't like how they spend the money." Whether this is true or not in any particular situa­tion, this statement is filled with judgment and generaliza­tion, the pride that we know better, and a desire to control. These are all the behaviors that spiritual giving is designed to liberate us from. Give generously. It is hard, I know. You will feel torn; such is the pull of money in our lives."
Each time the collection plate comes to you is a perfect time for you to test your Attitude of Gratitude. Think about it, and then act on it.

In today's readings we clearly hear the call to stewardship. In the first reading we hear of our responsibility to feed the poor, shelter the oppressed and homeless and clothe the naked. We hear that by doing these things, when we call upon the Lord, our prayers will be answered.
In the Psalms we hear that the just man is a light in darkness and how the just man shares generously with those in need. In the second reading Paul tells us that it is not by the wisdom of men that we come to know Christ, that only by the demonstration of the Spirit.
Finally, in the Gospel we hear that we are the light of the world and that no one hides a lamp under a basket, but he puts the light on a lamp stand so that it may shine for all to see.
We must share our faith through our works by giving generously of the best we have to offer. If we are to demonstarte our Attitude of Gratitude, we must live our lives in such a manner that others see the power of Christ in our lives.