Deans' Note November 7, 2021

“Every generous act of giving with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17a)

For many of us the words from the hymn we call the doxology ring in our minds with the mention of the first line "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." The words may be too familiar. How often do we remember that all our blessings come from the hand of God? The Letter of James takes it to another level “every generous act of giving with every perfect gift” comes from our loving Father. In other words, even the gifts we give from a generous heart express the goodness and kindness of God who is generous through us!

The image we use in our stewardship program this year depicts a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis, a sign of all the potential released through the generosity we give and receive. Gifts that come from the heart bear fruit and give life beyond the gift itself. This is especially true of the gifts of time, talent, and treasure we share in the ministry of St. John’s. Our gifts unlock the potential for God to work through the ministries they enable in our church and in the world around us.

We are emerging from a chrysalis moment right now. We have spent over a year and a half in a time of enclosure and now we aren’t sure what new life will emerge for the future. This coming year will be a time of new possibility, of trying new things while still standing on our foundations.

The gifts you share in this coming year will bear fruit into the future. Our new possibilities are limited only by our imagination and generosity. We ask and encourage each of us to step out, to emerge from our chrysalis to make a generous act of giving. When it comes from a full and abundant heart, it will be a perfect gift.

This Sunday, we officially begin our Stewardship Season as we celebrate all the saints who went before us and whose faith filled gifts continue to emerge in the life of our congregation. We invite you to join us for lunch after the 10:00 mass to celebrate our emerging life, and to hear the inspiring witness of parishioner, Rick Nordin. We look forward to seeing you then.