The Diocese of Wichita is emphasizing the importance of its 2025 stewardship poster as a central part of its renewal efforts. The theme for this year, “In Love of God and Neighbor,” draws inspiration from John 15:9-12 and centers on the concept of divine charity.

Fr. C. Jarrod Lies, Vicar for Evangelization, Discipleship, and Stewardship for the diocese, described the significance behind the artwork featured in the poster. He said, “This poster is not merely artwork, but a catechesis in glass and light, a window into the mystery of stewardship. Our prayer begins accordingly: Lord Jesus, whose Heart is inflamed with love, from You flows every gift and grace.”

He explained that visual elements such as flames and streams of color are intended to symbolize Christ’s active love and the gifts that flow from it. “The flames lift our eyes upward, reminding us that Christ’s love is not static but alive, burning, and self-giving. Every act of stewardship begins here – not with our own resources, but with the truth that ‘we love because He first loved us’ (1 John 4:19).”

According to Fr. Lies, smaller hearts depicted along these streams represent individuals whose lives are shaped by receiving divine gifts before sharing them through acts of stewardship. “From that heart flow streams of color – gifts cascading outward. As we pray: Draw my heart into Yours, that I may receive the gifts of the Spirit, given to me by the Father.”

He added: “The poster portrays this visually: From the heart of Christ radiate ribbons of light, representing the Spirit’s gifts. The smaller hearts that appear along those streams are our own lives – swept up into the current of divine love. In stewardship, we first receive before we give. We receive the Spirit’s gifts – time, talent, and treasure – not as possessions, but as graces entrusted to us by the Father meant to be shared.”

Fr. Lies noted that these themes are reinforced in prayers associated with this year’s campaign: “Our prayer makes this request explicit: Inspire me to be a faithful steward – sharing my time, my talents, and my treasure as gifts to be given.” He continued by describing how each offering becomes part of an ongoing cycle: “Look again at the poster: The smaller hearts flowing outward are not ornament but symbol – our own offerings, carried by grace into the world. This is the very cycle of stewardship: gift given, gift received, gift transformed, gift shared.”

Summing up his message on renewal he said: “Thus we pray: May the love I receive from Your Sacred Heart flow outward in love of God and neighbor,” adding that true discipleship means letting received blessings move outward toward others.

Reflecting on inspiration drawn from saints who exemplified such stewardship throughout history he stated: “How blessed are we to have the great ‘cloud of witnesses’ (Heb 12:1), the saints whose lives shine brightly with acts… until with all saints we may move ever closer to ‘the goal of our faith—the salvation of our souls’ (1 Peter 1:9). There we hope to rest forever in Sacred Heart’s embrace.”

He concluded by clarifying what stewardship renewal should mean for parishioners across Wichita's diocese—not just fulfilling obligations or paperwork but embracing a deeper openness toward faith-inspired giving.

“Stewardship renewal then is not about filling out a form or checking a box,” Fr. Lies said.“It is about opening ourselves anew to Sacred Heart… gratefully receiving Father’s gifts… allowing Holy Spirit to move those gifts outward in love.”