"As generous distributors of God's manifold grace, put your gifts at the service of one another, each in the measure he has received." 1 Peter 4:10

"The English word "talent" originated in the Bible which describes talent as a unit of money. It's a coin representing a specific amount of money.

The Scriptures gave us a great story: A man goes on a great journey and he leaves his servants ten talents, five talents and one talent--a unit of money. The Bible then explains that the men did something with their talents. One went and invested his portion and doubled it. The next one doubled his also, but the last one took his one talent and buried it in a hole. Of course we know how the story ends. The master comes back and praises the first two for winning their master's joy and then says to the worthless servant, "What's wrong with you? You knew I would come back and ask for an accounting." Then he takes the talent away from him and the servant has lost what wasn't even his in the first place. Remember, they don't say he buried his own money; it was his master's money that he buried.

Everything we have - our very breath, our life, our time, our talents and our resources - comes from God, and in thanksgiving for His many blessings, we need to give a portion of our blessings back to God." We have a need to give. We also have a need to use our gifts to benefit others. There's a saying, "If you don't use it, you lose it." But more importantly, in using our gifts we honor the Giver of the gifts.

Before we can use our gifts, however, we need to become aware of our God-given gifts and talents. We all have the gift of life. We have received the gift of faith, the gift of leadership, of family, of friends and of fellowship. For the clergy, the gift of ordination, the gift of being teacher, priest and king. With this in mind, discern how you might best use your own gifts to bring the spirituality of stewardship to your own community of faith, to your own community of disciples of Jesus Christ. And you know that we must share these gifts for the common good, "According to the gifts each has received, administer it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10.

Want to get involved? Check out our many ministries

We have more than 300 ministries at St. Thomas More. There's a good chance one or two would match your gifts and talents to serve the Lord in thanksgving for all that God has given you. Remember, when you use your gifts, you honor the Giver of the gift. St. Thomas More offers many areas of volunteering or serving in ministries in each of the seven commissions:

Communications and Stewardship: Writers, webmasters, photographers, video buffs, office volunteers, Rosary Makers, weekend Information Desk volunteers and many more.

Facilities Support: Are you interested in making the STM surroundings beautiful? Mary Dalton and her committee will appreciate your help.

Faith and Academic Formation:

• Office of Catechesis: Do you love to teach and share our faith. The Office of Catechesis offers many programs that can use your talent. The Office of Cathesis also offers many adult education programs to help us noursih our faith. Why not sign up for one of those.
• Parish School: The school will appreciate volunteers for its clinic, lunch room and classrooms.
• Youth and Young Adults: The youth ministry welcomes mentors and chaperones, even baking cookies for their many events.

Family Life: This commission offers many wonderful opportunities to help enhance your family life. The Knights of Columbus and the Ladies Auxiliary offer many events for fun, community service and fellowship. The Family Life Commission also includes Bridge Club, Foster Parenting, Men's and Ladies Golf Leauge, Singles Group, Stitichers, Scrapbooking and Forever More Senior Citizens.

Liturgy: If you're interested in worship ministries, this commission is for you. Do you love to sing? We have six choirs from which to choose. And the choirs always welcome musicians -- those who can play various intruments. The Liturgy Commission also have opportunities for you to serve as lectors, ushers, greeters, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, altar servers, and many more.

Parish Life: The Parish Life Commission provides prayer, support and guidance to enrich the spiritual life of the parish community. You might want to join a prayer group that meets your needs or join a group that prepares couples for marriage or before their child is baptized. Is your marriage in trouble? Then Retrouvaille is there for you. For those who wish to enhance their married life, the commission offers retreats for couples, the Marraige Encounter or the Covenant of Love.

Social Concerns: In the spirit of the Church's preferential option for the poor, the Social Concerns Commission calls parishioners to action and service to those most in need. This commission includes Angel Tree, Blood Drive, Discovery: Job Network, Food Program, helping Hands for Funeral Receptions, Gabriel Project, Habitat for Humanity and Respect Life.