The offering envelope division of the periodical Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. in Huntington, Ind. recently awarded a $2,500 scholarship to Father Peter F. Quinn, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Quincy, on behalf of the parish.

As one of five recipients of the national scholarship contest sponsored by Our Sunday Visitor, Father Quinn, or his designee, is entitled to attend the Annual Conference of the International Catholic Stewardship Council in New Orleans from Sept. 12-15. The annual conference is an opportunity for parishes to share information about their stewardship efforts. The theme of this year’s conference is “A Disciple’s Response.”

"I believe it is the foundational message of the Gospel that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from the Lord, and we as a parish try to live by that message," says Father Quinn.

"The theme, 'A Disciple's Response,' encourages people to receive God's gifts with a humble heart and share those gifts generously in proportion to what we have received from God. The motivating force of the spirituality of stewardship is encouraging people to proclaim that liberating spirit to others. At the conference in New Orleans we will have the opportunity to learn from others how they have integrated the spirituality of stewardship into their personal lives and the life of their parish. This will allow a deepening of awareness of how everything we are and have are gifts of love from God."

The scholarship awarded to parishes by Our Sunday Visitor covers transportation costs, registration fees, hotel accommodations, one-year membership dues in the International Catholic Stewardship Council and other conference-related expenses. Winners were selected in a random drawing of nominations submitted by archdiocesan or diocesan stewardship offices.

St. John the Baptist Parish was nominated for the scholarship contest by the Archdi-ocesan Stewardship Office in recognition of the parish’s biblically based stewardship efforts.

Ken Chisholm, director of the Archdiocesan Stewardship Office, expressed congratulations to Father Quinn, parish stewardship committee chairperson Charles Jacobs and all the stewardship committee and staff for their commitment to stewardship. Chisholm submitted five pastors’ names, including Father Quinn’s name, to the scholarship contest.

St. John the Baptist Parish in Quincy has been a stewardship parish since 1999 when it first formalized its efforts to encourage parishioners to become actively involved in parish life and to reach out to others in the community through various ministries. Since that time, St. John the Baptist’s stewardship committee has made available volunteer opportunities for fellow parishioners to contribute their time, talent and treasure.

For more information about establishing a stewardship project in your parish, call Ken Chisholm, director of the Archdiocesan Parish Stewardship Office, at 617-746-5623.