By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky returned to his native Diocese March 9 to expand on a theology that affirms “there is enough for everyone” and celebrates the success of others.
Archbishop Kurtz presented the keynote address for an estimated 90 Diocesan staff, educators, parish staff, volunteers, clergy and members of the Legacy Society at the Diocese’s Parish Stewardship Day titled “More Than Sacrifice” at St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield.
A native of Mahanoy City, Archbishop Kurtz was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Allentown in 1972. During 27 years of service within the Diocese of Allentown, he was deeply engaged in social services, Diocesan administration and parish ministry.
“Theology of abundance is my vocation and your vocation. It’s calling you and me to action and calling us to change our lives,” he said during his keynote talk, “A Spirit of Abundance.”
He framed his talk around Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s painting, “Calling of St. Matthew,” which depicts the moment at which Jesus inspires Matthew to follow him.
“Levi was a tax collector who later became Matthew. Levi was great at collecting from others. After Jesus called him, he inspired others to share,” said Archbishop Kurtz.
“Levi is the patron saint of scarcity. Matthew is the patron saint of abundance. He is the same person, but the presence of Jesus makes him a new man of Christ,” he said.
Archbishop Kurtz then mapped out four principles while reflecting on theology of abundance that he applies and encounters while overseeing the Archdiocese’s 110 parishes.
“The parishes help one another. It becomes extremely healthy, holy and successful when each pastor rejoices in the help to another parish and to the local church,” he said.
The first principle, according to Archbishop Kurtz, is to “let everyone succeed.”
“C.S. Lewis said that in this life there is that sense of exhilaration that you experience when you have great success in this life. In heaven, you will feel that same exhilaration when someone else gets a reward,” he pointed out.
Archbishop Kurtz noted that all people are saved by Jesus – but not one at a time – instead we are saved together.
“I want to go to heaven – but not alone. I want you to come with me. That’s the Church. That is being in communion in the Church. It’s the core of being united with Christ,” he emphasized.
The second principle Archbishop Kurtz highlighted was “an attitude of scarcity lacks confidence and trust in God who provides.”
Quoting American author, educator and businessman Steven Covey, Archbishop Kurtz warned against the “scarcity mentality.”
“People with scarcity mentality tend to see everything in terms of win or lose. There is only so much; and if someone else has it, that means there will be less for me,” he said.
“The more principle-centered we become, the more we develop an abundance mentality, the more we are genuinely happy for the successes, well-being, achievements, recognition, and good fortune of other people. We believe their success adds to … rather than detracts from … our lives,” he said.
Pointing to the third principle of “theology of abundance,” Archbishop Kurtz confirmed that “good development efforts change the person who receives, the person who gives and the person who asks.”
“Good efforts always change three persons. It changes the person who benefits. It changes the donor because the individual becomes generous and is never the same. It changes you and me when we ask someone in the right way,” he said.
“When we reach out to help others we are putting on the tunic of Jesus. When we put on the garment of Christ – we are changing ourselves. We are putting on Jesus,” maintained Archbishop Kurtz.
The final principle, according to Archbishop Kurtz, is “theology of abundance is not the theology of prosperity.”
“Theology of prosperity promises if you do good and are generous, you will automatically do well in life,” he clarified.
“Theology of abundance has to be done out of your heart and through the inspiration to help others.
“Expect great rewards in heaven and now. But understand that it will require sacrifice. There will be persecution. If that sets you back, you should stick with ‘theology of scarcity.’”
While following theology of abundance, Archbishop Kurtz suggested the vocation to listen is necessary and was of critical importance with the Catholic Service Appeal in the Archdiocese of Louisville.
After receiving more than 3,500 prayer intention cards from donors, he said he received petitions from faithful to pray for a family member suffering from addiction, good health, for those who don’t believe in God, and for healing of a relationship between a father and son.
“These are intentions from the heart. These are heartfelt examples of people we are serving. Theology of abundance requires us to listen and makes room for all people we are serving,” he said.
Archbishop Kurtz then reminded the faithful that Jesus came so that “we may have life and have it in abundance.”
“Our vocation must be joyful. Who do you want to be? Do you want to be Levi or Matthew?” he asked.
The day began with a Lenten Mass and featured six workshops aimed at increasing stewardship in parishes and schools.
The day concluded with Closing Prayer. The workshops were:
“Building a School-Based Stewardship Community” presented by Paul Acampora, secretary of the Secretariat for Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Allentown.
“Hands on Stewardship: Living Our Faith in Service” presented by Milissa Else, director of pastoral services and sales for Renew International, which assists dioceses and parishes across the United States with faith formation, evangelization and spiritual renewal.
“Practically Speaking: Our Roles as Stewards” presented by Msgr. Robert Wargo and Lisa Geosits.
Msgr. Wargo is pastor of St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, and a former Diocesan director of vocations. Geosits is advancement director for St. Joseph the Worker School, Orefield.
“Everyday Stewardship: Managing Our Parish Resources for Today/Tomorrow” presented by Msgr. Edward Sacks, a priest for the Diocese of Allentown who has served as faculty, principal and administrator for several Diocesan high schools; assistant superintendent for Diocesan schools; Diocesan director of the Catholic Charities Appeal (now the Bishop’s Annual Appeal); and Diocesan vicar for development.
“Creating a Stewardship-Based School Communications Plan” presented by Paul Wirth and Eileen Brida.
Wirth is director of utility communications for PPL, where he supervises all internal and external communications and messaging for electric customers, employees and other stakeholders. He has been chairman of the board of directors of Catholic Charities since 2013.
Brida has served as a Catholic school advancement director for five years, previously working for five years as special projects coordinator at Allentown Central Catholic High School.
“Stewardship Begins at Home: The Welcoming Parish” presented by Archbishop Kurtz.
The Legacy Society recognizes individuals who have included a parish, school, Diocesan agency or the Diocese itself in their estate plan. It is open to anyone who has arranged for a planned gift of any size.
For more information on the Legacy Society or other stewardship, contact Michele Mullikin, 610-871-5200, ext. 2282 or [email protected].
