December 2007
“MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS”
This is the time of year when our hearts are opened and we make a token gift to those less fortunate amidst the celebrations, shopping, caroling, decorating the tree and simply having fun. We teach the children in church school that the Nativity wreath is a circle representing God’s endless Love for us not just during the season but also during our whole lifetime. But after the New Year we find it hard to continue to live a spiritual life. We are surrounded with war, disease, crime and death. We have become immune to all the bracelets and ribbons. We close our hearts. The Order of St. Ignatius is not just another cause with a ribbon. At the end of our ribbon is the symbol of what we believe—the cross. Our children often ask parents, usually before they are asking for something, how much do you love me? The parent usually responds with a big outstretched arm “I love you this much” Christ loved us enough to be born and ultimately die so that we could live.
So what are we really asked to sacrifice for the church? The equivalent of a cup of Starbuck’s a day. The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch celebrates 35 years of “touching people’s lives” by distributing over $17 million dollars since its inception. The Order’s goal is to provide a financial foundation for our Church’s future in America and throughout the world. Members of The Order are men and women from all walks of life: secretaries, factory workers, business entrepreneurs, executives, young adults, and grandparents who commit to a lifetime of annual giving.
Members are people like you and me who believe that when we combine our gifts miracles can happen because we can do more collectively than any one individual can do alone. This is what The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch is all about.
Imagine the endless possibilities that can be accomplished when we, as ordinary people, combine our resources and
change our gifts into something that is both meaningful and helpful to others who have need. Money is not necessarily the “root of all evil” for money in the right hands can be a tremendous source of good.
• At least 70% (this means $350.00 of a $500.00 annual contribution) is returned to the parishes via contributions
to the various departments serving our Archdiocese such as Youth and Campus Ministry, Parish Development,
Christian Education, and Summer Camp Scholarships. The Order helps to fund these important aspects of
Archdiocese life. Our Archdiocese is self-ruling and growing. The Order will be there to assist with the finances of three new bishops so that the churches are not as heavily burdened.
• Our clergy should retire in dignity. The Order donates $200,000 annually to support our retired clergy and their
wives. And as more and more of our clergy retire the need will become greater to provide a decent retirement to those
who have served the Church so faithfully.
• The Order funds annual distributions to major projects outside our Archdiocese such as Project Mexico, Prison
Ministry, Teen Special Olympics, and Tree House Ministries (program in Wichita sponsored by St. George Cathedral to support unwed mothers who choose life rather than abortion)
• Support of the annual College Conference where our young adults gather for a week of prayer, learning, fellowship,
and witness to Christ as Orthodox Christians. It began with 27 students. This year over 300 will participate.
St. Ignatius instructs us to put our faith into action. I want to tell you about a project that exemplifies what the Order is all about. This feast is all about the birth of a child who changes a whole nation and the woman who gave him birth despite what people would think. Can you imagine what would happen today? The Tree House, which gets its name from the live giving tree (cross), got its start from a grant from the Order. So consider giving yourself and others a Christmas gift and make The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch your choice. You will be glad you did. Be an example to our children that the church is a good investment.
Steppin' Out of Your Comfort Zone
Presented by Kathy Abraham
This summer during one of the Parish Life Conferences, one of the orations began with a quote from Jeremiah "The temple of the Lord…. the temple of the Lord!" The topic for the contest was "Prophesying". How you may ask does this quote relate to the topic? In reality, it is all about getting people out of their personal comfort zones in order to prophesy. We in America have found ourselves in a comfort zone. Our churches are built thanks to our parents and grandparents. We have become complacent to give a little each week, go to church on Sunday and accept the status quo. Well, Jeremiah was warning us that this is not enough. The building is not all there is to the faith.
Sometimes we must do something uncomfortable in order to be saved—we must sacrifice. Prophesying is using the gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit in order to change a life. Spiritual giving through The Order of St. Ignatius is one step on the road to living a life that follows Christ.
Today, we face many challenges trying to live a Christian life. Each day we have the choice to say "yes" to Christ and accept the gifts of the Holy Spirit and allow it to direct our actions. It is hard to rationalize that we give enough to the church. The cross of The Order represents the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made for our salvation. The ribbon is red because of the martyrdom of St. Ignatius who was touched by Christ as a child. Members wear the cross as a symbol of what we believe in.
What really are we asked to sacrifice? We pay $5.00 for a cup of designer coffee without batting an eye. Many think it is enough to just be a member of The Order of St. Ignatius; but have you settled into yet another comfort zone? Can you really feel the sacrifice? Can you give more? I ask that you prayerfully consider participating in the ministry of The Order. If you currently participate consider increasing your gift level so that The Order can continue to provide the tools for our children to grow, aid our clergy and seminarians and for our ministry to reach out into our neighborhoods to help those in need. We aren’t just another charity. The Order makes every life count!
On Pentecost we are reminded that this is when Christ’s church began. His disciples came from all walks of life; they were simple fishermen, not shipping magnates. Christ called them by name and they followed him. At induction time, The Order calls each member by name not because we need to hear the name but because Christ is calling your name to action.
Many of us have our own reasons for participating in the ministry that is The Order of St. Ignatius. One reason may be the discovery that WE are now the adults of the parish! A generation ago, our churches were struggling just to be built. Many of us who grew up in the faith had wonderful orthodox icons to follow; people in the parish that sacrificed to make sure that their children were educated and married in the faith. They were our parents, grandparents, and the adults that were always called aunt or uncle even if they weren’t related. We have memories of them laboring on hands and knees as they painstakingly laid the flooring or painted the walls of the church by hand, cooking and baking endlessly for the annual dinners, picnics or bazaars.
Now it is up to this generation. Step outside of your comfort zone, ask the question, am I truly sacrificing enough, can I change a life? What memories am I leaving behind? For as little as a cup of coffee a day, through The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch you can change a life.
Don’t be surprised if the life you change is your own!
