This is an accounting of two weeks in my life; finding God in everything.

Doug and I live in the Santa Cruz Mountains, just outside Los Gatos. It’s a 20-minute drive to church, and yet worlds away. This “telling” starts with the first big rain of the season. There was very little in San Jose, yet over EIGHT INCHES at our house. We made a fire, watched and listened to the rain and wind, and gave thanks for this precious and important gift.

Just a few days later I was meeting with colleagues when I got a call and learned that my mom was headed to the hospital. Such is this stage of life with our parents and frail health, including the serious decisions that need to be made.  One morning there, my mom and I both received the Eucharist from a delightful volunteer. She explained to me that since O’Connor is no longer a Catholic hospital, the community of Saint Martin of Tours ensures that the Blessed Sacrament is available every day, and back at the church every night. Ministry.

The evening of the day that my mom went to hospital, I was so happy to participate in an endowment reception at Saint Justin Parish. This of course is where my family participated for 50 years. In fact, the mother of one of my elementary school classmates was in attendance. At the gathering we spoke of building FOREVER VALUE for this vibrant community. Father Chris Bransfield inspired us with his hopes and vision for the parish.

About a year ago, I attended another such gathering at a parish where we talked about endowment. The next day a parishioner called to say (and I quote here directly): “This (the new parish endowment) is the answer to my prayers. I knew I wanted to recognize my parish in my estate plan. I didn’t want to leave an expendable gift. I didn’t want to burden the parish with a small endowment. Now I don’t have to.” Last week we received word that this parishioner went to heaven in August and did indeed leave a gift to continue the ministry of his parish.

This past weekend I veered from my normal Mass schedule in order to have a better time to visit with my mom. My friend Monsignor Browne said Mass. His homily so fit the timbre of this time for me. In reflecting on the Gospel, he reminded us that we find our humanity in our commonality with others, not in our differences. He encouraged us to “relax into the good news that God names us all sisters and brothers.” Good to remember that in this contentious election season.

In the three days that my mom was in the hospital, several of my friends and colleagues, clergy and lay, reached out to me with words of encouragement and promises of prayer. And my family rallied, even sneaking a little dog in to cheer her up (and elate the staff). I am grateful for all.

My mom is home now, with a new pacemaker aiding her quality of life.

There was God, in the gift of rain, the care of my mom, the volunteer Eucharistic minister, the support of family and friends, the spirit of the parish of my childhood, the instructive and comforting words of Monsignor Browne. and the gift of FOREVER VALUE to a parish from a grateful member of that faith community.

If you’ve ever read my “stuff,” you know that my faith is a strong and comforting presence in my life, and that it stems from gratitude. My abiding motto is this: It’s simply not possible to be more blessed than I.

I hope you find God in everything the day that you read this, and that your gratitude spills out and is evident to your community.

We often speak of stewardship in three areas: Time, Talent and Treasure. I would like to add TRADITION.

What is tradition? Simply, it’s something that is so enjoyable or meaningful that we want to do it over and over.

For my entire life, many of these traditions have revolved around our parish and the parish school. When I was growing up at Saint Justin Parish, 18 sacraments were celebrated in my family, as well as school functions and the Annual Fun Day.

We have been members of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish for 25 years. There our traditions have included: Sunday Mass, 4:00 Mass Christmas Eve, Easter Vigil, plays & concerts, outreach projects, blessing of the animals, Country Fair, Italian Catholic Federation polenta dinners, Sacraments celebrated with the community at Mass.

As a Catholic Community we have traditions of worship, witness, food and fun.

We also have a deep tradition of giving.

Our “young ones” save up pennies to help children in other communities. Our high schoolers conduct food drives and walk-a-thons, and participate in immersion trips. We donate regularly to our parish, our diocese, Catholic Charities and countless effective non-profits reaching out to our neighbors on our behalf.

This rich tradition of generosity stems from gratitude. We are grateful for the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist, and for our own personal relationship with God. We are grateful for the Holy Spirit, filling us with hope and happiness, inspiring us with countless opportunities to strengthen our community and deepen our faith.

Here’s another definition of tradition: The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.

At the Catholic Community Foundation we work with families on innovative ways to perpetuate a tradition of giving. These include family endowments and Donor Advised Funds.

With the establishment of a Donor Advised Fund, a family creates a tool to enable philanthropy for three generations. This can be used as both an efficient tax vehicle and the center point for family discussions and decisions around giving.

We also support and encourage legacy giving, remembering your parish or other Catholic organization in your estate plan.

Sometimes we think an estate gift needs to be large to be meaningful. This is not true. Imagine if many parishioners contributed just 1% of their assets to the parish. This could provide an astounding amount of support.

The parish endowment can be an important and efficient element of our current and legacy giving. The endowment is a permanent fund that distributes a modest amount each year for the support of the parish.

By making a gift or planning a gift to your parish endowment, you contribute to the long-term financial strength of your faith community. You create a basis for your own tradition of giving to continue FOREVER.

From now through June 30, 2017, because of the generosity of one donor, the Foundation is offering a $1 Million match for donations to parish endowments. up to $20,000 per parish. This is a unique opportunity for all of us to continue our tradition of giving with added impact because of the match.

Along with our great faith and social traditions, we have the opportunity to provide FOREVER VALUE to these communities that helped form our families and care for our neighbors. I hope you will join us.

I grew up in Saint Justin Parish. That community provided a spiritual, educational and social “center” for my family. My parents were involved in everything, and deeply grateful for this “village” that they viewed as helping them raise their family.

The motto of the Catholic Community Foundation of Santa Clara is “Providing FOREVER VALUE through Endowments and Donor Advised Funds.”

One key step on the path to FOREVER VALUE is the establishment of a parish endowment. An endowment is a permanent fund that distributes between 3% and 5% of the balance each year to support the ministry of the parish.

Through the generosity of one donor, the Foundation has announced a $1 million match for Parish Endowments.

The match will be available from now until June 30, 2017 for parish endowments set up with the Foundation. Here are the basics:

Endowments achieving a balance of $20,000 or more by June 30, 2017, will receive a matching grant of $20,000.
Endowments achieving a balance of less than $20,000 by June 30, 2017, will receive a grant of 50% of the balance.
The parish may elect to receive an annual distribution from the endowment when the balance reaches $25,000.

How to get started:
A parish endowment may be started with a $1,000 donation. Once it is set up, the Foundation will work with the pastor, staff or designated committee to grow to and beyond the $20,000 target.

The Foundation can provide marketing, event support, and communication programs. We also can support a comprehensive planned giving program for the parish. Through this program, we encourage parishioners to recognize the parish, at any level, in their estate plans. We make it simple for individuals and families to establish a gift that will continue to enhance the ministry and vibrancy of the parish FOREVER.

It is our goal to spend the entire $1 million, and we hope parishes will join us in this goal.
My parents were not offered the opportunity to contribute to an endowment for Saint Justin Parish; now, we can celebrate their legacy and that of many, many others by building this important source of financial support in the growth of ministry.

For more information, please give us a call at (408) 995-5219 or click here.

I hope you will join us.

The motto of the Catholic Community Foundation of Santa Clara County is “Building Forever Value for Catholic Ministry.” The foundation, based in San Jose, seeks to build financial security for parishes and other Catholic organizations in the form of endowed funds.

On August 30, at Bishop Patrick J. McGrath’s home, the foundation hosted a Parish Legacy Reception to thank donors for their generosity, and to encourage them to include their parish in legacy plans. The reception was graciously sponsored by Anne and Steve Milligan.

“We build endowments for Catholic ministries,” said Executive Director Mary Quilici Aumack. “We help create a permanent source of income. Our goal is to build endowments with the parishes and watch them grow, with an emphasis on planned giving.”

One of the people who has set up an endowment and is watching it grow is Monsignor Terry Sullivan, who first encountered Aumack when he was a priest in the parish where she grew up – St. Justin.

Sullivan, who spent 17 years as Pastor of Saint Lucy Church in Campbell, started an endowment at the Church last year with $1,000 (the amount needed to start one) and has watched it grow to $40,000.

He has also planned a gift to the endowment as part of his estate plan.

“It was very important for me to do something for Saint Lucy’s,” said Sullivan, now retired, “because of what it means to me.”
Founded 12 years ago as part of the Diocese of San Jose’s Capital Campaign, but now a separate organization from the Diocese, the foundation has $40 million in assets and provided $21 million in grants – so far.

“We have built something magnificent,” said foundation board member Pat Waite. “We are going to be able to provide for ministries year after year.”

Also at the reception, Aumack announced the donation of $1million from an anonymous source to be used for parish endowments. She said the first $20,000 of that donation will be matched.

“My parents would have joyfully contributed to an endowment at St. Justin,” said Aumack. “But there wasn’t one. Now we provide an opportunity for the generous Catholic Community of Santa Clara Valley to participate in providing FOREVER VALUE.”

Bishop McGrath had a simple message.

“All of us stand on the shoulders of those who came before us,” he said. “We share gratitude with them. We share a faith and an eternal life with them. The Catholic Community Foundation offers us an opportunity to set up endowments for our parishes, demonstrating our gratitude. The foundation has done wonderful things and set us on a real life trajectory.”

To learn more about the $1 million parish endowment match please click here.

This story originally appeared in The Valley Catholic.

We often speak of charism when referring to the important work and legacy of the religious. The Sisters of the Holy Family are “gleaners,” pushing out the boundaries of the world to reach those most abandoned.

They established the Saint Elizabeth Day Home. It functioned as a nursery for babies, a kindergarten for those not yet of school age, and a sewing school for public school students.

In 1918, the Sisters opened Santa Maria Hall on San Carlos Avenue. There they began Sunday school. This was so successful that their reputation spread, and they were soon providing catechetical instruction in almost all the parishes of the Diocese. I actually remember this. Although Saint Justin school, which I attended, was run by the Dominican Sisters, the (then) CCD program was run by the Sisters of the Holy Family. I remember that my dad had a great friendship with Sister Peter. When he went to heaven, she surprised us by attending his Memorial Mass.
During World War I the sisters worked as nurses, serving soldiers and those affected by the rampant influenza epidemic.

A 1922 report indicated, “3,000 children registered in religious education classes being offered by the Sisters of the Holy Family. Locations included Saint Elizabeth’s Day Home; Santa Maria Hall; Church of the Five Wounds; Church of the Precious Blood; Holy Family Church; Saint Edward’s Hall. And on the outskirts, classes at the Willows; at Agnews; on Mt. Hamilton, and the parish churches of Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Mayfield, Portola and Milpitas.”

One of those was of course my parish, Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception. I don’t think anyone thinks of Los Gatos as “outskirts” anymore.

In 1964 a new Saint Elizabeth’s Day Home was opened in Willow Glen, and a convent was established shortly thereafter. The Sisters served there for more than 50 years. The convent was closed in 2003 and the day home was closed in 2015.
When the day home closed, that ended the physical presence of the Sisters in the Diocese of San Jose, but not the charism. The Sisters still seek to be gleaners by their advocacy and prayer. They also sought a way to have their presence continue through a monetary gift to ministry.

They chose to partner with the Catholic Community Foundation of Santa Clara County. Contributions were made to three endowments:

• Parish Outreach
• Pastoral Ministry
• Liturgical Music

Now, because of the generosity of these strong and influential women, and in recognition of their long and important presence in our valley, we have the honor of continuing their work.

When we make grants to innovative programs in faith formation, for choir retreats and boot camps, and to the many and effective efforts of parishes to feed and support their neighbors, the Sisters of the Holy Family, the gleaners, will be with us.

Sister Gladys Guenther wrote: “May our loving God direct your use of these funds, and may they be a blessing for all of you and your efforts.”

We say a huge and hearty “Thank You” to the Sisters, for over a century of important and effective work; for continuing impact on human trafficking and homelessness; and for their profound charism, which continues here in the Diocese of San Jose.

We are deeply grateful.

In March of 2012, I wrote an article about the Mass of Dedication at Our Lady of Refuge. I knew even then that this would be a very special parish. At that time, I thought, “What is more worth celebrating than a new Parish, signified by an overflowing church?”

Now I have an answer to that question: Celebrating the success of that parish many years later!
Last month I was privileged to attend a celebration, thanking the supporters and recognizing the great strides of this vibrant Catholic community.

Monsignor Rios gave a heartfelt “thank you” to the donors who enabled the purchase of the parish grounds and church. He also extended gratitude to the four parishes who “adopted” Our Lady of Refuge and provided multi-year support: Holy Spirit, Our Lady of Lavang, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, and St. Simon.
He also told us a lot about the parish. There are now over 500 children in faith formation classes. This year, 185 of them received sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation.

Sally Samaniego, the chair of events for the parish, introduced several parishioners who entertained us with dances signifying their Hispanic and Filipino heritages.

In his homily back in 2012, Bishop McGrath reminded us that the Church transcends all bounds of structural places and is truly a collection of believers. The believers in our wonderful diocese have embraced Our Lady of Refuge. In giving his blessing at the celebration, Bishop McGrath added his thanks to the 15,000+ donors who made the vision of a new “place” for the Santee Mission a reality.

As I participated in the joyful celebration, I was ever more grateful to our donors for their deep generosity. The fruits of this philanthropy will continue season after season for generations to come as we help children attend Catholic school, support our seminarians, and grant money in recognition of effective parish programs.

Together we are building FOREVER VALUE.

We are grateful.

The gift of vocations in my life…

Recently I have attended two celebrations for a quarter of a century of ordained ministry. One was for my good friend Father Jon Pedigo, and the other for my pastor Father Rick Rodoni, whom I first met when I was 7. I sadly missed a celebration of 50 years for the passionate, ever justice–seeking Monsignor John Sandersfeld.

I write a lot about gratitude. My life is filled with things for which to be deeply grateful: my family, my personal relationship with God, my work, my parish community, my “other family.”

Woven throughout this rich life that is mine, is the gift of vocations. A vocation is, in essence, a call, that to which God calls us. Everyone is called by God to know, love and serve him. The difference is how each one does this.

We often think of vocations as synonymous with priestly and religious life. Many with these vocations have influenced me greatly. The first priest in my memory was Monsignor Ronald Mentasti. He was the longtime pastor of St. Justin, where I attended grammar school. He was famous (or infamous) for his New Year’s Day Sermon (he never used the word homily): “Life is short. Death is certain. Hell is forever. Think it over.” Those words belie a kind, gregarious man, who viewed us all as his family, and shepherded us tirelessly. Also in the mix in my younger years were Fathers Dan Derry and Terry Sullivan, whom I have been fortunate to know also as an adult, and who provide leadership and example today.

Through grammar school, high school, and at my parish I have had the influence, support and friendship of the Dominican, Notre Dame and Holy Names Sisters. Some of these are great friends. It is only as an adult that I have come to fully appreciate these educated, community centered, strong, prayerful women who helped form me.

At Gonzaga and Santa Clara, I have had the gift of relationship with the Jesuits. These men challenged us to be for others, and to live our call as members of the Body of Christ.

Through my work I am blessed to engage with many priests and religious of the Diocese. These encounters and relationships are valuable to me on so many levels: business, education, spirituality, vision, hope.

Marriage is also an important Catholic vocation. Doug and I went to a wedding last fall where Father Rick talked about that. Perhaps the greatest example of faithful vocation in my life was the marriage of my parents, Aldo and Nonie Quilici. Theirs was a relationship based on deep love and enduring faith. Their union was not perfect. Nonetheless they created a safe, nurturing environment for the six of us, providing for us in times of economic uncertainty. Together they supported our family and our parish. They were a FORCE at Notre Dame High School for 10 years.

Frederick Buechner said, “The place God calls you to, is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

So, in celebrating Fathers Jon Pedigo and Rick Rodoni, and Monsignor John Sandersfeld, I also give thanks with great joy for my parents, Mother Margaret Mary, Sister Gemma, Sister Joan, Sister Rosalie, Sister Nicki, Father Tony, Father Steckler, Father Peter, Father Michael, Monsignor Browne, Father Brendan, Father Warwick, Monsignor Fran, Bishops Daly, DuMaine and McGrath, and the many pastors, priests, sisters and brothers who have been trusted companions on my faith journey.

Please pray for all who have answered God’s call in a variety of vocations, lay and ordained.

At the Foundation we talk a lot about remembering and supporting ministry. One easy thing is simply to remember how the vocations of others have been great gifts to you. Perhaps returning the gift may be part of your legacy plan. We can help.

Each quarter, pastors from around the Diocese gather with the Catholic Community Foundation to discuss their shared vision for Catholic parishes, schools, and institutions throughout Santa Clara County.
“The work of the parish through every stage of a person’s life and faith journey is familiar to most,” said Father Mark Arnzen, pastor of Saint Lucy Parish, “the work of the Foundation is less so. This is why we are here, to educate ourselves and our parishes, by extension, about the value of endowments, legacy plans, and planned-giving programs that can sustain our vibrant communities for generations.”

The Catholic Community Foundation exists to promote and secure the long-term financial health of Catholic ministry in the Diocese of San Jose and Santa Clara Valley. Among other things, it establishes and develops parish and school endowment funds and acts as a partner in legacy planning.

When it was formed in conjunction with the Rooted in Faith Capital Campaign in 2004, the Foundation’s primary duties were to manage and disperse the funds generated by the campaign. Over the years, the work of the Foundation has evolved into that of a full functioning community foundation, focused on building financial strength for Catholic organizations, together with generous donors.

“As we work to fulfill our mission, we know that there are no greater stakeholders in our work than the parishes,” explained Mary Q. Aumack, the Executive Director of the Foundation. “With Bishop McGrath’s support, a group of influential leaders was formed. This group is known as the Parish Leadership Group and provides a direct connection to parishes and their work. Through this group, the Foundation receives the necessary feedback, suggestions and support to best serve our communities.”

Monsignor Patrick Browne, retired pastor of the Cathedral Basilica, offered his wisdom in forming the group. He continues to provide guidance and inspiration, and is always a part of the conversation.

“No one person can know all the needs and nuances of each and every parish,” said Monsignor Browne. “This collaboration allows us to engage in a dialogue that provides the Foundation with a better understanding of those needs so that it may respond appropriately.”

Dorothy Carlson most recently joined the group of primarily clergy members. Dorothy is well known for her role in leading Saint Justin parish as Minister of Parish Life from 2011-14.

The other members of the group have been a part since it first convened in early 2015. They have all made an impact on the parishes they serve and on the Diocese as a whole: Rev. Mark Arnzen, pastor, Saint Lucy Parish; Rev. Joseph Benedict, pastor, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph; Rev. Christopher Bennett, pastor, Saint Christopher Parish; Rev. Warwick James, pastor, Saint Simon Parish; Rev. Justin Le, pastor, Saint Elizabeth Parish; Rev. Sergio Ovando, pastor, Saint Martin of Tours Parish; and Rev. Jon Pedigo, pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

The Foundation is grateful for the support and guidance of its Parish Leadership Group. This kind of collaboration is invaluable for ensuring the future financial health of Catholic ministry.

For a Good Friday talk that I gave at the Cathedral Basilica, I focused on four gifts from the Cross: Compassion, Mercy, Peace and Hope. In planning the piece on Hope, I consulted my friend Monsignor Browne. Here’s what he said:

Like faith, hope is not knowledge, but a positive disposition of openness to the future in a CONVICTION that the end, like the origin, will be grounded in God.

It occurred to me that we give because we have hope, and in the process we GIVE hope.
I’ve been thinking about that in the context of legacy planning.

When you plan a gift, to your parish for example, this is a hope-filled act. You believe in the power and effectiveness of this faith community. It has contributed in material ways to you and your family. You have hope for a long and important life for the parish, and you want to be a part of that future.

Permanent gifts, those to endowment, provide hope to a community, easing the burden of constant fundraising.
This is what we call Forever Value.

I ask you to consider a planned gift to the endowment for your parish, or another Catholic ministry that you feel has been formative in your life, or that you believe is making an important difference in the community.
A gift of just 1% of your assets upon your death can be material for that organization. The Foundation can help in this process, and make it simple.

We give because God gave first. We have the hope that was embodied in Jesus the Christ, and is manifest in His ineffable gift of HIMSELF in the Eucharist.

Because of these gifts, we not only have hope, but a strong desire to ACT, to reach out to neighbors, welcome new community members, to BE the body of Christ.

Monsignor Browne also offered this:

Life is full of fragmentary signs of peace, justice and well being that hold out a note of promise to our human imagination. These signals come together in the Christian hope for resurrection and eternal life.
Hope and Legacy are so intertwined. It’s because of our hope that we choose to make a lasting gift, and the gift in turn sustains the hope.

So, buoyed by this hope, in gratitude and certitude, in anticipation of our eternal life, we lay the foundation of FOREVER VALUE for the ministries that sustain us.

Isaiah (6:8) heard the voice of the Lord saying “Whom shall I send? Who will go for me?” He answered “Here I am Lord. Send me.”

Let us respond as well, in permanent and meaningful ways, becoming part of an integrated message of Hope.

Contact the Foundation today to contribute HOPE: (408) 995-5219; cfoscc.org.

Our Lady Star of the Sea may be one of the smallest parishes in our Diocese, but it has a wonderful and vibrant community.  Star of the Sea has many different parish groups and programs, but the one that consistently brings everyone together is the parish kitchen where breakfast is sold every Sunday after mass for a small fee.

In order to keep hosting the weekly breakfasts, and other events, Star of the Sea needs to completely overhaul the kitchen.  Fr. Hector Basañez already started the long process of the kitchen remodel. The new plans bring the electrical work up to code and the permits from the City are in process. The total cost of $80,000 for the kitchen remodel is quite a large burden for this small community and any help would be very much appreciated. Please consider partnering with us during the Christmas season to assist Our Lady Star of the Sea with their Community Kitchen Project.

To help Fr. Hector build his kitchen, please click here:

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