Across the world and here in the United States, people are legitimately concerned with the threat of terrorism and the possibility of lethal explosions in any place at any time. It is encouraging to realize, however, that there are edifying explosions happening in our midst all the time. They are explosions of ministry.

We had a wonderful experience of grasping this phenomenon on the evening of May 25, as 677 parishioners from across the Archdiocese gathered to celebrate our annual Stewardship Evening at the Aqua Turf in Southington. It was an illuminating session for all of us.

Parishes had an opportunity to display various aspects of their stewardship and to discuss the planning and implementation involved. Booths were set up all around the large hall, and the atmosphere was alive with charged electricity.

Stewardship, as we know, involves the appropriate use of our time, treasure, and talent in response to God’s love and in service to our brothers and sisters. At first sight, that is a fairly simple expression, but in reality it involves the depth of our being.

The room was alive with ideals, and the air was vibrant with reality. Personal energy and creativity are addressing everyday needs that affect our society. The number of parishes delivering responses to food needs, clothing needs, and job searches was exhilarating.

St. Clare Parish in East Haven has provided 45,219 meals for a homeless shelter over the past 20 years. St. Augustine Parish in North Branford carries forward Angel Food Ministries. St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol gathers food for local needs as well as for Darfur in Africa. St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish in Hartford serves sandwiches 365 days a year and twins with a parish in Haiti. St. Michael Parish in Hartford provides food for the needy in multiple ways. They are assisted by a number of other parishes in making this service possible.

Many parishes provide clothing as important assistance. St. James Parish in Rocky Hill collects leftover materials from a textile factory and makes most attractive sweaters, jackets, hats, pajamas, windbreakers, tote bags, etc., for adults and children. St. Patrick Church in Farmington organizes an International Bazaar as a means of assisting people in poor countries.

The loss of jobs in our state is a problem that brings grief to so many people. Hopeful programs to assist people are being offered by Sacred Heart Parish in East Berlin, St. Peter Claver Parish in West Hartford, and the archdiocesan Office for Catholic Social Justice. A Resource Awareness Fair is provided by St. Rita Parish in Hamden.

Opportunities to bring people together from various backgrounds were illustrated by St. Louis Parish in West Haven in its Catholic Cultural Heritage Celebration, and by St. Patrick Parish in Enfield with its Parish Garden Committee Ministry.

Of course, Catholic Charities was present to describe the Emergency Assistance Fund, developed by the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal to assist parishes and Catholic Charities to work together in providing help for people in these difficult times. People from 125 parishes have been assisted so far.

Stewardship becomes all the more meaningful when it is combined with prayer, both personal and parish. St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Oxford displayed a beautifully carved "Ark of the Covenant," which is an engaging design to advance prayer in the parish liturgies.

Principal speakers for the evening included Deacon Chuck Dietsch from Sacred Heart Parish in Southbury, who described his excruciating experiences during the earthquake in Haiti and the commitment he and his wife, Dorne, have to returning for significant parts of the year. Sacred Heart Parish, whose pastor is Father Joseph Donnelly, has a twinning experience in Haiti, as do other parishes in the Archdiocese. (I once again thank the people of the Archdiocese for your impressive offerings for Haiti, totaling $1,198,000. As I said during the evening, when the people of the Archdiocese know the need, you respond in inspiring munificence.)

The other principal speaker was Mr. Steve Foran, from Nova Scotia, Canada, who provided a comprehensive description of stewardship and its effect in his life and in the lives of many others.

The parishes I have named here are examples of the multiple parishes in the Archdiocese who exemplify ministry in so many effective ways. One evening could never portray the extent of it all, but it is important to see instances as highlights of powerful explosions at work throughout the Archdiocese.

I am deeply grateful to the Archdiocesan Stewardship Committee for all their work on the evening and on stewardship all year long: Mrs. Colleen Corriveau of the Stewardship Office, Father Timothy O’Brien of Immaculate Conception Parish in New Hartford, Father Robert Rousseau of St. Augustine Parish in North Branford, and Father Michael Whyte of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in West Simsbury.