Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2009 / Mass for Commerce: We're all stewards of God's gifts
Mass for Commerce: We're all stewards of God's gifts
by Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published October 30, 2009
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Kristin Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Mass for Commerce organizer John Sier addresses the congregation after the annual Mass for Commerce, open to all who are involved in business in any way. |
Detroit - God created the world, as well as the world's wealth, and our brains which manage that wealth, said Archbishop Allen Vigneron at the 16th annual Mass for Commerce.
"Everything entrusted to us is given to us in stewardship," he said. Material goods and spiritual goods must both be treated so: "We must be good stewards of all of this," he said.
About 300 people attended the Mass, held last week at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit. It was a full house in the chapel, which is in the process of being repaired from a fire earlier this year, with most seats filling up early into the Mass. Most, but not all, of those there to worship were men in suits, although the morning was open to anyone in the work force or involved in commerce.
In his homily, the archbishop said although the day's Gospel talked about masters and servants, we could take home the same message after substituting in employees and managers. He said God is neither capitalist nor socialist, and He holds us accountable not because he wants a profit, but because he wants good fruit.
"The point is, everyone is accountable to God," he said.
As in the Bible, to whom much is entrusted, from much will be expected. A phrase often heard in commerce is "fiduciary responsibility," he said, which applies to faith in the workplace - as we all share in the responsibility of the Lord. "He's the ultimate stockholder, if you will," the archbishop said.
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Kristin Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Archbishop Allen Vigneron, who celebrated the 16th annual Mass for Commerce, receives the gifts after the offertory. |
Archbishop Vigneron also invited the congregation to consider their commitment to being saints, as the Church needs people to be saints in their offices and workplaces. "You are called to be saints," he said. "God wants you to be holy. To be holy is to be in love with him. Give yourself to him completely."
Organizer John Sier thanked the crowd after Mass, and acknowledged that it was the archbishop's birthday. He also acknowledged the Mass for Commerce founder, Tom Angott, now deceased, whose daughter bore the cross for the Mass. "Now let us go forward to become saints," he said, echoing the archbishop.
Sier later said he was encouraged by the number of people who attended the Mass at the last minute, many deciding to attend after being invited several times from different people.
The idea of the Mass for Commerce, especially during this economic downturn, is partly for people to know they're not suffering alone. Also, Catholics can be reassured that they're not the only ones bringing their faith into their work life, using their faith principles for business decision-making and asking the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Jack Dalzotto, RCIA coordinator for St. Martin de Porres Parish, Warren and whose company is Anchor Danly, an auto and other industrial manufacturing company, said one thing that drew him to the Mass for Commerce was the chance to celebrate with the archbishop. "Now more than ever, we need to call on the Lord for help," he said.
Greg Stanley, of the Civil engineering and consulting firm Wade Trim, saw the ad for the Mass in a Church bulletin and decided to attend, bringing friend Dan Miller with him. "Business is not so good - it's been a tough year," Stanley said. "We thought we'd come out and spend a couple of hours here this morning."
Miller agreed that he also enjoyed getting to see the seminary, and said the morning was "very positive."
Silvia Tineo-Perez, who started a printing and promotional service after she was laid off - an act of faith in itself - attended the Mass because she thought it would be a good place to be, she said. "I think it was really nice," she said of the Mass. "I'll come back."
Dan Donohue, of Mass Mutual, also brought friend Judy Cooper to the Mass. He said the archbishop celebrating Mass was a special treat, and that the idea of a Mass for Commerce was appropriate for the times. Miller, although a non-Catholic, also liked it: "I appreciated the message," she said.
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