Lesle Knop is the executive director of the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development. You can email her at: lesleknop@archkck.org
by Lesle Knop
Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Eddie Fisher, Amy Grant, Diana Krall, Barry Manilow, and who knows how many other performers have sung this memorable song written by Cole Porter, “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep).”
I have no doubt that you can sing it yourself. This song was one of our family’s favorites, always reminding me of the 1950s and 1960s when my brothers and sisters and I were kids.
When I’m worried and I can’t sleep
I count my blessings
instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you’re worried and you can’t sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings
“Count your blessings” was among my mother’s many little sayings. “Pray about it” was another. My nieces established a Facebook group for our family named after another of her habitual sayings: “Love ya, love ya, love ya!” Once was not enough. She always repeated “love ya” three times.
As we embark on another year in the archdiocesan office of stewardship and development and the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, counting our blessings is high on our list of things to do. So is prayer. Without daily prayer, we are aware that we could lose our focus on why we are here.
The people in this office serve God, one another and the church by stewarding responsibly the many gifts we have received. Every day the people in our office work hard to help strengthen and sustain the archdiocese, our parishes, and ministries by doing work that is often unnoticed.
From rosters and data entry, to minutes and correspondence, to important documentation and reports, to websites and training manuals, their work is substantial and historically important to the archdiocese. We each realize that we are just doing our part as members of the body of Christ, and that we are privileged to do so.
I would like to commend, however, with deep gratitude, the people who work hard for you and our beautiful church: Stacy Niedbalski, annual appeal specialist for the Archbishop’s Call to Share; Becky Calvert, data management specialist; Gary Pratt, planned giving officer; Dianna Bagby, administrative assistant; and our part-time accountant from the accounting office, Peg Ellington. Please pray for them and for a successful 2012 Archbishop’s Call to Share.
I often go to sleep counting my blessings. These bright, faith-filled workers are right there at the top of my list. I would like to say to each of them: “Love ya, love ya, love ya!”
