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Experiencing the True Joy of Stewardship 2024 STEWARDSHIP RENEWALRECEIVEANDGive

PREPARATION FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNIONParents of children entering second grade who are ready to prepare to receive their First Communion and First Reconciliation meet monthly beginning in the Fall of each year. These sessions help to equip the families to catechize their child(ren) for the reception of the sacraments. Contact: Laura Brand, 303-646-4964, lbrand@olvonline.orgRITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTSRCIA is the process through which adults inquire about, prepare for, and are welcomed into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Baptism (if not already baptized), Conrmation, and Holy Eucharist. Through this journey, one can fully enter the sacramental life of the Church and become a disciple of Christ. RCIA classes take place on Tuesday evenings from September through the following Easter each year.Contact: Laura Brand, 303-646-4964, lbrand@olvonline.org10

SACRAMENTAL CONFIRMATION PREPARATIONConrmation preparation classes for those entering eighth grade begin in the Fall and meet once per month up until Conrmation. Currently the sessions meet on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m. Parents/guardians are asked to participate with their conrmandi in these sessions. Contact: Laura Brand, 303-646-4964, lbrand@olvonline.org FAITH FORMATIONFAMILY FAITH FORMATION“If you are what you should be, you will set the world on re.” — Saint Catherine of SienaOur community at Our Lady of the Visitation is committed to helping to form disciples for Christ alongside families. Our program for children includes the entire family, learning in community, so that we can support parents as the rst educators of their children. We use Sophia Institute Press’ Family of Faith program, which journeys through the pillars of the Catechism. Parents participate in twice-monthly catechetical sessions while their children participate in fun, faith-centered activities. Families then spend the weeks between sessions learning and growing together at home based on the material covered in the parent sessions. Volunteers are needed in a variety of ways.Contact: Laura Brand, 303-646-4964, lbrand@olvonline.orgOLV MEN’S GROUPThe OLV Men’s Group meets for about an hour each week. We currently meet at 7:15 p.m. every Wednesday of the month. Men’s Group utilizes material from Paradisus Dei’s program, That Man is You (TMIY). Men say TMIY has transformed their marriages, families, and spiritual lives. TMIY pulls together Scripture, Church teachings, science, and modern issues in a way unlike any other program. The OLV Men’s Group ministry is an incredible opportunity to be around other men who are trying to do the right thing and who can help you on your journey. Each meeting allows time for socializing and discussion.Contact: Kurt Wassil, 720-320-2725, kwassil@yahoo.com11

TEEN DISCIPLESHIP GROUPThis program develops, promotes, and enhances the social and spiritual needs of the youth in our parish community. In addition to teen participants, adult volunteers are needed in support roles for the success of this ministry.Contact: Laura Brand, 303-646-4964, lbrand@olvonline.orgTUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDYThis Bible study group meets weekly to study and reect on Scripture. The aim is to foster spiritual growth through prayer, discussion, and faith sharing. Contact: Paula Kozlowski, 303-466-9207, paulakozlowski@gmail.comWOMEN’S DISCIPLESHIPCome enjoy some time with friends and get to know one another in a faith-lled conversation. We meet the Third Thursday of each month. Fellowship starts at 6:40 p.m., study starts at 7 p.m. Contact: Wanda Mae, 303-947-6296, wandamaerivera@hotmail.com WORSHIP MINISTRIESALTAR AND ROSARY SOCIETYThe Altar and Rosary Society at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish is dedicated to praying the Rosary to Our Lady for the intention of the growth of religious vocations. We assist the pastor with the care of the altar linens, the purchase of items needed in the worship space, and keep the prayer votive candles stocked. We also send notes of encouragement to our seminarians. These are just a few of our many functions. The ARS meets once a month on the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. We welcome new members!Contact: Sandy Frick, 303-960-2914, SandyCFrick@outlook.comALTAR SERVER MINISTRYIt is a blessing to serve at the altar and we welcome those youth who wish to serve during the Mass. Minimum requirement is to have received your First Communion. Training is provided.Contact: Angelle Schott, 720-549-2332, smuckers313@gmail.com12

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION (EMHC)EMHCs assist the priest with the distribution of Holy Communion when there is no deacon present. Training is provided. The schedule is prepared at least a month in advance.Contact: Tammy Jo Meier, 303-841-0154, ctjmeier@msn.comEXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUNDEMHCs to the Homebound perform a very important ministry in the Church. They serve our local parish in a unique way by bringing our Lord to parishioners who are unable to join us at Mass. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic Faith and the participation in this ministry displays the fullness of God coming to His people where they are.Contact: Pam Kaufmann, 303-990-4607, pakaufmann77@gmail.comLECTORSLectors serve at the weekend Masses, reading the rst and second readings. Training is provided. The schedule is prepared at least a month in advance. Contact: Tammy Jo Meier, 303-841-0154, ctjmeier@msn.comMUSIC MINISTRYThe OLV Music Ministry is a group of musicians dedicated to praising our Lord in song and to providing for the liturgical music needs of the parish including Sunday Masses, Holy Days, funerals, and any other events that require music. We rehearse together on Wednesday evenings following daily Mass, and then disperse to ensure that all weekend Masses are covered. If you share our passion for leading the parishioners of Our Lady of the Visitation in worshipping our God in song, we would love to have you!Contact: Colleen Grant, 720-350-5238, mcttgrant@msn.com13

OLV PURGATORIAL SOCIETY Purgatorial societies are Roman Catholic associations or confraternities which aim to assist souls in purgatory reach Heaven. Join us to pray for these souls!Contact: Pam Kaufmann, 303-990-4607,pakaufmann77@gmail.comSACRISTANSSacristans prepare the articles and elements required for the liturgy. An additional duty is making sure that the scheduled lectors, EMHCs, altar servers, etc. have arrived at Mass. Training is provided. Contact: Tammy Jo Meier, 303-841-0154, ctjmeier@msn.comUSHERSUshers at Our Lady of the Visitation make the Celebration of the Mass a friendly and personal experience for all who enter our church. The ministry of usher includes greeting people in the vestibule, picking a family to deliver the gifts to the altar, counting the number of people attending the Mass, assembling the gift bearers to take the gifts to the altar, and helping parishioners receive Communion in an orderly fashion. After Mass they open the doors and distribute the weekly bulletins, and if necessary, help rearrange the chairs and hymnals and pick up any papers or trash left behind.Contact: Doug Schneider, 303-690-9017, djs4371@aol.com 14

LEADERSHIP COUNCILS AND COMMITTEESPARISH/FINANCE COUNCILThe Parish/Finance Council is a canonically required advisory body that assists the pastor in all aspects of the parish’s nancial administration. They assist the pastor with the business and nancial affairs of the parish, as well as spiritual, social, and educational matters. This council acts as an advisory body to the pastor in matters affecting the parish community and organizations. It seeks to foster parish unity, assess parish needs, develop parish programs, coordinate parish activities, encourage parish participation in spiritual and apostolic life, and provide a forum for parish dialogue.Contact: Tim Carlson, 700-300-9934, tcarlsoncolorado@gmail.com15

TIMESpending Time with God in PrayerTALENTUsing My Talentsin Parish Ministry Attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days  Attend weekday Mass at least once a week  Attend Adoration at least once a month  Spend 15 minutes a day in personal prayer  Pray together with my loved ones  Read the Bible at least once a week  Pray the Rosary weekly  Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily Go to Reconciliation every other month  Pray for the sick of our parish  Pray for my country  Invite a friend or acquaintance to Mass  Pray for an increase in vocations  Create a dedicated “prayer space” in my home Pray for our clergy and religious  Pray for persecuted Christians  Schedule time for a spiritual retreat  Pray for greater respect for human life  Pray for those serving in the military  Pray for inactive CatholicsThrough time spent in prayer, we will come to know our Lord better and He will prepare our hearts for what He is calling us to as faithful stewards. Consider these ways to spend time with the Lord in prayer.Please check the circle next to your commitments to prayer:God has blessed each of us with many gifts and talents. Take some time to pray and reflect on how God is calling you to share your talents in our parish community.PARISH LIFE Collection Counting Funeral Ministry Hospitality Ministry Knights of Columbus Meal Train Ministry OLV Giving Tree Project Committee  Pro-Life Ministry Safety Team MinistrySACRAMENTAL LIFE Infant Baptismal Preparation Volunteer Marriage Preparation Preparation for First Reconciliation and First CommunionPlease clearly write the first name of interested family member on the line.=Currently Involved =Interested in Joiningcontinued on back panelsTREASUREMaking a Consistent Gift to the OffertoryWeekly giving based on proportion of incomeWEEKLY GIVING CHART%Percentage of household income:If we view our treasure through the lens of stewardship, we see it as a gift that is meant to be shared. And when we live a life of generosity, we become more like the Gracious Giver who has been so generous with us. At Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church, each household is asked to give a specific percentage of income based on the biblical tithe:5% to Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church1% to the diocese ▪ 4% to other charitiesMy Offertory Pledge to Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church:Weekly gift x52 = annuallyMonthly gift x12 = annually$$ $$ORPlease complete either a weekly or monthly offertory gift: 10% 5% 4% 1%Amount of Weekly Gift $58 $29 $23 $6 $96 $48 $38 $10 $135 $67 $54 $14 $192 $96 $76 $19 $384 $192 $154 $38% of Hshld. Income: Household Income$30,000$50,000$70,000$100,000$200,000WORSHIP MINISTRIES (continued) Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound Lectors Music Ministry OLV Purgatorial Society  Sacristans UshersLEADERSHIP COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES Parish/Finance CouncilSACRAMENTAL LIFE (continued) Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Team Sacramental Conrmation PreparationFAITH FORMATION Family Faith Formation Volunteer OLV Men’s Group Teen Discipleship Group Adult Volunteer Teen Discipleship Group Participant Tuesday Morning Bible Study Women’s DiscipleshipWORSHIP MINISTRIES Altar and Rosary Society Altar Server Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church2024 COMMITMENT CARDAddressCity State ZIPFirst & Last NamePhoneEmailSpouse: First & Last NameSpouse: PhoneSpouse: EmailAfter completion, please bring this card to Mass on October 26/27, mail using the envelope provided or fill it out online at www.olvonline.org. Thank you and God bless you!TALENT (continued)Please clearly write the first name of interested family member on the line.=Currently Involved =Interested in JoiningTALENT (continued)Please clearly write the first name of interested family member on the line.=Currently Involved =Interested in Joiningcontinued on next panelRECEIVEANDGive34201 County Road 33 | Kiowa, CO 80117303-646-4964 | www.olvonline.orgTIME TO COMMITPlease Keep Until Fall 202534201 County Road 33 | Kiowa, CO 80117 | 303-646-4964 | www.olvonline.orgOur annual Stewardship Renewal at Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church is a practical way to live a radical life of stewardship by making commitments in Time, Talent, and Treasure. It is through these commitments that we see our gifts multiplied and our hearts overwhelmed with peace and joy. Prayerfully ll out your Commitment Card enclosed and consider how God is calling you to Receive and Give through a life of stewardship. Return your completed Commitment Card at Mass on October 26/27, mail it to the parish ofce using the envelope provided or ll it out online at www.olvonline.org.

2Stewardship PrayerLoving God, I come to you in thanksgiving, knowing all that I am and all that I have is a gift from you. In faith and love, help me to do your will.I am listening, Lord God. Speak your words into the depth of my soul, that I may hear you clearly. I offer to you this day all the facets of my life, whether it be at home, at work, or at school — to be patient, to be merciful, to be generous, to be holy. Give me the wisdom and insight to understand your will for me and the fervor to fulfill my good intentions.I offer my gifts of time, talent, and possessions to you as a true act of faith, to reflect my love for you and my neighbor.Help me to reach out to others as you my God have reached out to me.AMEN

3“Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself…because of this, God highly exalted him.” (Phil 2:6-11)Jesus, who has equality with God, did not grasp anything from God. Rather, He received everything from His Father and then spent His life giving it all away—through His healings, teachings, and even death on the cross. Jesus lived a radical life of stewardship. It was through this continuous act of self-emptying that “God highly exalted him,” as He rose from the dead and went onto eternal life. God desires this for us too and it is what we ought to strive for!We are called to imitate Jesus’ life of stewardship as St. Paul tells us to “be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1). This imitation of Christ begins when we recognize everything in our life as a gift from God and seek ways to share those gifts in our day-to-day moments. Our annual Stewardship Renewal is a practical way to do just that by making commitments in Time, Talent, and Treasure. It is through this act of self-emptying that we will nd peace and contentment in this life and even more so in the next! RECEIVEANDGive

4Each of us has been given the precious gift of time. The question is, how do we use it? We read in Scripture that Jesus takes time in solitude to pray with His Father. It is in those quiet, private moments that Jesus was strengthened for His mission of self-emptying. Like Jesus, we too are called to talk with our Father. Through this time spent in prayer, we will come to know our Lord better and He will prepare our hearts for what He is calling us to as faithful stewards.Consider the following to deepen your prayer life:The Eucharist is a beautiful example of stewardship as Christ is broken and poured out for each of us in the Mass. Attend Mass more frequently and ask God to break open your heart and pour out your gifts and talents as He desires.Bishop Golka encourages all to begin each morning with prayer, inviting God to be a part of your day. Consider a Morning Offering, the daily Mass readings, or a Rosary.Pray as a family each night before bed. Give each member an opportunity to say an intention and conclude with an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.Take time to reect on what God has gifted you. Ask Him, ‘How can I serve you with these gifts?’RECEIVE AND GIVETime

5Each of us has gifts and talents. Some are known, some underused, and some undiscovered. God has hand-picked each talent for each person. He also has a plan for each of us to share our talents so that they can grow beyond our understanding. Just as a love of a parent is multiplied and not divided with every child born; the more we live our lives spending our talents, the more they are multiplied! Take some time to pray and reect on how God is calling you to share your talents in our parish community. Sometimes we do not feel adequate to serve in any way, but remember, He will equip you for all that you need to fulll what He is asking of you. Consider taking these steps to share the gifts and talents God has given you:Read through the ministries in our Handbook and pray about how God is calling you to serve in the year ahead. Ask God to reveal to you some of the gifts and talents that you are underusing. Ask for the grace to grow in those areas and to glorify Him with your gifts. Ask God for the grace to live each moment in service of Him.RECEIVE AND GIVETalentConsider signing up for a ministry that the entire family can get involved in together.

Take a look at your current spending habits, and assess what expenses are preventing you from offering your treasure more selessly.Ask yourself if your family budget reects what you most love in this life so that your spending is a reection of that love. “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Luke 12:34).Commit to giving a percentage of your income to God through the parish offertory as an expression of your love for the God who withholds nothing of Himself from us.There are many parables throughout Scripture that Jesus uses to help teach us about the proper use of our treasure. Jesus knew that it is important for us to prioritize nances and material possessions correctly for our hearts to be ordered towards Him. As Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters” (Matt 6:24). Yet even more than this, God knew that we would be much happier if we recognize our treasure as gift and choose to live our lives sharing it. When we live a life of generosity, we become more like the Gracious Giver who has been so generous with us. We nd joy in the giving and peace in the surrender.Consider taking these steps to express gratitude for the treasure God has gifted you:RECEIVE AND GIVETreasureAs a parish, Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church breaks down the tithe as follows: 5% to the parish offertory1% to the diocese ▪ 4% to other charities If the goal of giving the tithe seems difcult to attain, consider increasing your annual offertory gift incrementally by 1 or 2% each year until you reach it. It may take some time, but eventually, you can reach the point where it is clear both in your nances and in your daily life What and Who is most important. In the meantime, choose a percentage of your income to give each week or month, and be faithful to it, even when you attend Mass elsewhere.6

HOSPITALITY MINISTRYThe Hospitality Committee at OLV assists in serving donuts and coffee on the rst Sunday of each month, providing bake sales four times each year, coordinating and serving the Church Picnic, running the Chili Cookoff, providing a reception for Conrmation, providing the priest dinner during Advent and Lent, providing lunch at youth group events, collecting and delivering food donations for the food bank, and serving the Easter vigil buffet. Recently, the ministry published a parish cookbook. Volunteers are needed to provide food for any special event when requested. Contact: Helga Marx-Schlarb, 720-318-5911, hmarxschlarb@gmail.com; Jenn Wassil, jwassil@yahoo.comPARISH LIFECOLLECTION COUNTINGEvery Sunday a team of three counters comes together to count the collection after the last Mass. The team members count the cash and checks, and prepare deposit slips for bank deposit. Your commitment would be for 1-2 times per month. A short training session will teach you all you need to know. If you like numbers and are detail oriented, you belong with us!Contact: Julie Jenson, 303-243-1294, luv2knit@aol.comFUNERAL MINISTRYThe Funeral Ministry at Our Lady of the Visitation provides a meal for family and friends after a Funeral Mass. We need volunteers to do the following: prepare and bring in any part of the meal (main dish, salad, fruits, vegetables, breads, desserts), set up before the funeral, serve at the meal, clean up after the luncheon. This is a very important ministry in our church. We help our brothers and sisters in their time of grief.Contact: Sandy Durand, 303-648-3077 (home), 303-345-8072 (cell), durandsl@kellin.net; Rosalie Hankus, 303-906-6507; Rita Hankus, 303-646-45122024 MINISTRY LISTINGS7

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUSTogether, the K of C empowers Catholic men to live their faith at home, in their parish, at work, and in their community. The current membership is very active in supporting all other ministries in our parish. Your help is needed to spread our message and support to the community in spreading the Word of God through actions and examples.Contact: Danny Willcox, 303-589-7222, dwillcox@olvonline.orgMEAL TRAIN MINISTRYMembers of this ministry provide and serve home-cooked meals to our OLV family members who are struggling from illness, surgery, or a recent death. Contact: Rose Hermes, 303-648-3281, mealtrain@olvonline.orgOLV GIVING TREE PROJECT COMMITTEE The Christmas Giving Tree is a project to aid residents or agencies of our local community during the Christmas season. Parishioners are asked to take an ornament home, purchase the gift suggested, or provide a donation, and return the gift and ornament to put under the giving tree the next weekend. Contact: Rosalie Hankus, 303-906-6507; Rita Hankus, 303-646-4512PRO-LIFE MINISTRYThe Pro-Life Ministry participates in campaigns to promote respect for life. The Pro-Life Ministry plans events to help foster a pro-life awareness in the parish. They seek to educate parishioners about right-to-life issues as well as promote events that celebrate the right-to-life. The Pro-Life Ministry is dedicated to defending the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, as well as providing educational information to our parish and the local community. Individual and family stewardship opportunities exist as part of this ministry.Contact: Yolanda White, Pro-Life@olvonline.orgSAFETY TEAM MINISTRYThe Our Lady of the Visitation Safety Team is comprised of registered parishioners with medical or rst responder backgrounds or other emergency response training. The ministry is designed to serve and advise the pastor on factors that may impact the health and safety of parish members and visitors. The Safety Team Ministry is in place to address and deal with safety and medical emergencies, including response to the risk of re, severe weather, or physical hazards. The Safety Team works to foster a culture of training, awareness of hazards, and thoughtful mitigation policies. Contact: Jerry Mavor, 303-648-3905, mavorado@protonmail.com8

SACRAMENTAL LIFEINFANT BAPTISMAL PREPARATIONHoly Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons and daughters of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission; “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and in the Word.” We offer baptismal preparation for parents and godparents to prepare them and offer support as they raise holy Catholic children. Contact: Laura Brand, 303-646-4964, lbrand@olvonline.orgMARRIAGE PREPARATIONMarried Christians, in virtue of the Sacrament of Matrimony, signify and share in the mystery of that unity and fruitful love which exists between Christ and His Church; they help each other in attaining holiness in their married life and in the rearing and education of their children; and they have their own special gift among the people of God. The Church’s role in marriage preparation is to assist couples in discerning their relational readiness and personal faith. We invite couples seeking to marry, whatever their religious background or level of faith, to learn more about God’s plan for marriage and prepare for one of the most important relationships of their life. Contact: Fr. John Stearns, 303-646-4964, pastor@olvonline.org9