Last summer, Bishop Erik Pohlmeier ordained Father Charles Bemis to the priesthood. During his formation, Father Charles shared that what drew him to the priesthood was the joy he saw in the lives of priests. Their witness revealed what a life rooted in God’s love could look like.

That joy was not abstract. It was lived and visible. Grateful for the example of priests who guided him and for the people who supported his vocation, Father Charles placed his trust in God. During his ordination Mass, he lay prostrate before the cathedral altar, offering his life in service to the people of God in the Diocese of St. Augustine.

Today, Father Charles carries that joy into his ministry. In parish life, in the celebration of the sacraments and in the personal encounters that form the heart of priestly service, he lifts souls toward Christ.

The journey to the priesthood is a long one, marked by years of discernment, education and formation. Our diocese currently has 29 seminarians studying to become priests. Their formation is made possible through the faithful giving of those who participate in the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal.

Through BASA, ministries and services that no single parish could sustain alone—such as clergy formation and support for retired priests—are made possible. This is one way the Church lives as the Body of Christ, with many members contributing so that all may be served.

The Wisdom of Trust and the Grace of Giving

Human beings begin life instinctively reaching for what they need. As infants, they cry when they are hungry or afraid. Over time, through the steady love of their parents, they learn trust and come to understand that they are held and cared for.

The spiritual life mirrors this journey. Throughout life, people navigate the tension between desire and trust. Even as adults, many hold tightly to possessions, fears or personal plans. But love cannot flourish where hearts remain closed.

Love grows only when it is given, and trust teaches the soul how to let go. This is the heart of Christian stewardship. Stewardship is not merely about giving; it is about recognizing God’s presence in every blessing and responding with gratitude so others may experience God’s care.

St. Paul speaks of “a wisdom not of this age, but of God.” This divine wisdom does not seek control or self-protection. Instead, it emerges through the Spirit and invites believers to see beyond surface appearances. Jesus echoes this wisdom in the Gospel when he shifts the focus from external behavior to the disposition of the heart.

Faith, then, is not only about actions; it is about becoming the kind of person who reflects God’s love from the inside out. To live the Catholic faith authentically is to learn to see as God sees.

He sees the potential in every person, for each is made in his image.

He sees wounds and sorrow, because he carried his own Cross.

He sees the desire to be faithful, even when human weakness gets in the way.

God often works through small, unassuming gestures. Simple acts of faith, compassion and generosity can ripple far beyond what anyone imagines. Through the witness of ordinary disciples, others rediscover their worth in God’s eyes.

God Acts. God Strengthens. God Provides.

It can be easy to imagine God watching from a distance, but the reality is far more intimate. God does not simply observe—God moves within our lives.

He gives the Holy Spirit to shape us into the people we are called to become.

He helps carry crosses we cannot bear alone.

He nudges hearts toward compassion, courage and generosity.

As believers grow in loving trust—especially through prayer and the sacraments—they discover a deeper peace. Life becomes more focused on what truly matters and more open to God’s guidance.

One of the greatest gifts in this spiritual journey is the celebration of the Mass.

Every Mass is an invitation to trust. It is a moment to loosen one’s grip on what does not last and cling instead to the enduring love of God. It is also a moment to reflect on God’s generosity and to respond in kind.

In Scripture, we hear God’s voice. In the Eucharist, we are nourished. In community, we are reminded that no one walks alone. This is how God’s wisdom unfolds in the world—not in dramatic displays, but through humble trust and daily faithfulness.

A Shared Mission of Love

Each year, Bishop Pohlmeier invites the diocesan community to take part in the Bishop’s Annual Stewardship Appeal. He invites the faithful to prayer, to ask the Lord to shape their actions and strengthen their trust. He encourages them to hold tightly to what lasts and to trust that as they give, God will continue to provide.

Like the witness of joy that once inspired a young man named Charles Bemis to pursue the priesthood, the witness of stewardship today can lift another heart, restore hope and reveal God’s love. In this way, every giver becomes part of God’s ongoing work in the world.

Your Gift to BASA Supports

• Clergy Formation: Seminarians, deacons and support for active and retired priests
• Life, Charity and Justice: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Augustine, pro-life ministries and prison ministry
• Discipleship and Evangelization: Support for the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, missionary priests and sisters and campus ministry
• Catholic Education: St. Francis Academy, St. Joseph Academy and parish religious education programs
• Pastoral Ministries: Marriage and family life ministry, youth and young adult ministries, multicultural ministries and Stella Maris Seafarers ministry