Since its inception in the early 1980s, the Office of Stewardship and Development has been a significant component of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.  When the office began, its main purpose was to oversee the operation of the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal and a capital campaign that assisted with generating funds for the construction of Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever.

Over the years, there have been many changes made in conjunction with the office that have helped to give the diocese its identity.  The most drastic change took place with Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux's July 1, 1986 letter that enacted a change in diocesan policy.  The policy, which was titled "Stewardship: In Pursuit of a Better Way," required that all gambling, including pull tabs, bingo, keno and raffles, as a means of church support were to be discontinued.  Further, the policy also required that church fairs and festivals as a means of church support were to be discontinued by 1996.

Bishop Boudreaux's determination to create a total stewardship diocese was applauded by many of his counterparts througout the country.  Furthermore, in November of 1992, after an appeal made by Bishop Boudreaux, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a pastoral letter entitled "Stewardship: A Disciple's Response."

Currently the Office of Stewardship and Development is an office that remains rooted in its basic beginnings while continuously expanding its services and responsibilities.  For example, the office still oversees the operation of what is now called the Annual Bishop's Appeal and still assists any diocesan entity, be it parish, school, etc., with the execution of a capital campaign.

One way that the office has expanded its services is to assist parishes on an as needed basis with the Parish Stewardship: "Using God's gifts to do God's works" a total stewardship effort renewal program.  The goal of the program is to have all parishioners realize that everything they have received is a gift from God and that they should all make a commitment to prayer (time), become actively involved in parish ministry, and share their financial blessing back to God.  Another service provided by the office is giving assistance to the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools to assist each school with their strategic plan, marketing plan, and annual fund plan.

In the future, the office plans to offer seminars and informational pieces to assist parishioners with their estate planning.  In the meantime, please visit our up-to-date planned giving page for more information.  

Since its inception in the early 1980s, the Office of Stewardship and Development has been a significant component of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.  When the office began, its main purpose was to oversee the operation of the Bishop's Stewardship Appeal and a capital campaign that assisted with generating funds for the construction of Lumen Christi Retreat Center in Schriever.

Over the years, there have been many changes made in conjunction with the office that have helped to give the diocese its identity.  The most drastic change took place with Bishop Warren L. Boudreaux's July 1, 1986 letter that enacted a change in diocesan policy.  The policy, which was titled "Stewardship: In Pursuit of a Better Way," required that all gambling, including pull tabs, bingo, keno and raffles, as a means of church support were to be discontinued.  Further, the policy also required that church fairs and festivals as a means of church support were to be discontinued by 1996.

Bishop Boudreaux's determination to create a total stewardship diocese was applauded by many of his counterparts througout the country.  Furthermore, in November of 1992, after an appeal made by Bishop Boudreaux, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a pastoral letter entitled "Stewardship: A Disciple's Response."

Currently the Office of Stewardship and Development is an office that remains rooted in its basic beginnings while continuously expanding its services and responsibilities.  For example, the office still oversees the operation of what is now called the Annual Bishop's Appeal and still assists any diocesan entity, be it parish, school, etc., with the execution of a capital campaign.

One way that the office has expanded its services is to assist parishes on an as needed basis with the Parish Stewardship: "Using God's gifts to do God's works" a total stewardship effort renewal program.  The goal of the program is to have all parishioners realize that everything they have received is a gift from God and that they should all make a commitment to prayer (time), become actively involved in parish ministry, and share their financial blessing back to God.  Another service provided by the office is giving assistance to the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools to assist each school with their strategic plan, marketing plan, and annual fund plan.

In the future, the office plans to offer seminars and informational pieces to assist parishioners with their estate planning.  In the meantime, please visit our up-to-date planned giving page for more information.