Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Atlanta and the Dioceses of Charlotte, Charleston, Raleigh, and Savannah, the fifth Regional Stewardship Day Conference will be held on April 29 at the Embassy Suites in Cary, N.C.

The United States Bishops’ Pastoral Letter, “Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response,” is the document that defines stewardship, inspires Catholics, and challenges them to embrace a way of life that includes the giving of time, talent and treasure out of gratitude for God’s gifts.

The conference’s keynote speaker, Dan Conway, will use the pastoral letter as well as the apostolic letter of Pope John Paul II, “The Church in America,” as he highlights ways that a commitment to stewardship can be countercultural in American society today. Possessing a rich background in the stewardship arena, Conway has served on the faculty of the International Catholic Stewardship Council’s winter and summer institutes in addition to directing stewardship and development efforts in the Archdioceses of Louisville, Indianapolis and Chicago.

Currently the President of RSI, Catholic Services Group, Conway’s keynote discussion is entitled “Stewardship in America: A Countercultural Way of Life,” and his later breakout session on the spirituality of stewardship will include practical suggestions on living stewardship as a way of life for individuals, families and parish communities.

Six breakout sessions will cover a wide array of topics and provide some concrete ideas for promoting stewardship. Each session will be offered twice during the three breakout time slots. For participants from parishes who cannot attend each of the six breakout sessions, a notebook of materials from all sessions will be provided for each registrant.

The South is a true melting pot of cultures, which carries its own challenges to promoting stewardship. Enrique Gomez-Palacio of St. Thomas More Church in Chapel Hill, N.C., will address stewardship in a multicultural parish.

Joel Gray and John Bott of St. Brigid Church in Alpharetta, Ga., will lead a session giving participants ideas on using ministry fairs to increase stewardship.

Stewardship efforts at St. Pius X Church in Greensboro, N.C., have touched the lives of everyone in the parish from children to the elderly. Pastoral Associates Pat Spivey and Tracy Welliver will team with stewardship committee chairperson Patti Dunning to present a profile of stewardship in their parish.

Margo Truett of St. Anne Church in Columbus, Ga., has developed a dynamic stewardship leadership retreat. She will present her ideas in a practical and inspirational breakout on developing leaders of stewardship.

Father John McGee, OSFS, VF, pastor of Holy Infant Church in Durham, N.C., will speak about his role in promoting stewardship in the parish.

This year a closing panel discussion will bring all of the presenters together for one final opportunity to answer questions, clarify ideas and send participants forth with an enthusiasm for promoting stewardship in their parishes. The goal of the conference’s planners is that participants will return to their own parishes with a renewed emphasis on living and promoting stewardship as a way of life—a life of real Christian discipleship.

The deadline for making room reservations at the hotel is March 29, and the deadline for registering for the conference is April 14.