For most of my life, my parish has been an important hub for me. Of course, it is the center of my sacramental life.  And it is much more.

At St. Justin I first understood the power of a community of faith, celebrating sacramental milestones and witnessing the stewardship exhibited by my parents.

At St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, my faith journey has continued and been strengthened. This has been the faith center for me for 30 years. It is here that:

• Our daughter Kacey received an excellent education, rooted in Gospel values
• My husband Doug was baptized
• We worked the sausage sandwich booth at the Country Fair for a million years in a row

It is here that we see friends at Mass, inquire when someone is there without a spouse, hug each other in shared joy, supported hope, and deep pain.

You see, we are meant to be in communion. While sacraments are core to our Catholic presence, ritual and community sustain us.

THIS is why we are longing for “business as usual” – meeting at Mass, going to coffee after, attending meetings (even if it is to complain about something).

As we all wish for a resumption of our normal parish life, no one is working harder or hurting more than our parish staff and pastors.

We have had an extraordinary Spring Grant application process at the Foundation this year. Because of a $500,000 match and broad generosity, we will be distributing roughly 3X the normal amount in grants to local programs. This is extremely important because at a time when parish revenue has decreased across the board, parish teams have had to pivot and invest in areas that were not considered in previous years.

Our Parish Stewardship grants typically fund things like worship aids, welcome programs and ministry fairs. This year the grants are for things like:

• Clorox 360! This is a special broad sanitizer to prepare the church between Masses and to be used to reduce chance of infection in the schools
• Technology, technology, technology. Most of us have appreciated livestream Mass. Did you know that many pastors were using their personal iPhones propped up against a candle to make it work?

The pandemic has exposed great need across many areas, and pastors have responded. Some parishes are offering up to four Masses every HOUR on Sunday – 20+ Masses each weekend – so that more of us can experience the Eucharist. AND, in addition to all that, it is confirmation and first Eucharist season. Many pastors are welcoming young people to the table and witnessing confirmations two at a time, adding 40-60 additional Masses.

In addition to tending to our spiritual needs, ALL parishes are reaching out to our neighbors in need. We have received many grant applications for increased support of St. Vincent DePaul, food distribution, and job support programs.

Our pastors didn’t sign up for this! They pursued the vocation with a strong desire and call to be in communion, in community with us. And yet, they move forward with gratitude and vigor. Imagine.

In my work I speak with many pastors. We meet regularly with a group of pastors who we call our Parish Leader Advisors. Last time we met, we asked how we can help all pastors and parish priests.  Here’s what they said:

• Call or send a note to your pastor expressing support for their work and their staff
• If you can, send a gift card to your parish for a delivered staff lunch
• Offer to volunteer in support of parish grounds. Nick on our staff lives with four other young men. They are in the neighborhood of Queen of Apostles and have offered a day of labor, perhaps landscaping, cleaning, or anything else Fr. Jeff and his team need.
• Perhaps you have technical skills that could be of value as designs are made for continued virtual Masses, faith formation and instruction.
• When you celebrate a milestone such as a birthday or anniversary, send a note of thanks to a priest, religious or lay person who has walked with you on your faith journey.

Above all, they ask for our prayers. No matter how you pray, add a few extra prayers as often as you can in thanksgiving for the teams at our parishes and Catholic schools, who did not sign up for this and are responding with grace and efficacy.

I am grateful.

What it All Means

For Non-Itemizers

If you take the standard deduction when you file your federal taxes, the CARES Act gives you a $300 above-the-line deduction for cash donations. What does that mean? Your donation of up to $300 will be deducted from your adjusted gross income (AGI). This happens before you take the standard deduction. But, because this deduction is limited to cash contributions, gifts to a donor advised fund and complex gifts of stock or other assets do not qualify for this deduction.

For Itemizers

For folks who itemize their deductions, you’re normally limited to deducting 60% of your AGI. The CARES Act waives that limit for cash donations. While there’s still a deduction limit of 100% of your AGI for the 2020 tax year, any cash donations above and beyond that may be carried over as deductions for up to five years. Because this exception is only for cash donations, there remain certain limits on deductions for other gifts, like stock or personal property. And, there are still deduction limits for contributions to a donor advised fund.

For Tax Advisors: View our webinar and resources on the CARES Act and philanthropy >>

Next Steps

For Non-Itemizers

If you likely won’t itemize your tax deductions for 2020, consider a gift to the 2020 Spring Grant Cycle match opportunity which supports immediate needs and vital programs all over our diocese. There is currently a 1:1 match for all gifts toward this $500,000 match! Learn more >>

Or, consider a cash gift to your parish’s endowment, or an endowment for another organization you love. See our full list of funds >>

For Itemizers

Consult with your tax advisor to determine an appropriate and effective solution for your unique tax situation. A gift to the 2020 Spring Grant Cycle match opportunity will support immediate needs and vital programs all over our diocese. There is currently a 1:1 match for all gifts toward this $500,000 match! Learn more >>

For some, a family fund might be an appropriate solution. Donors who will give large sums but would like their gifts to support the charities they love over a longer period of time (instead of giving a huge amount in one lump sum) may consider a custom family fund. This fund might be an endowment, which grants in perpetuity, or a fund with a more aggressive granting timeline. There are many different ways to customize these funds, so please contact us to discuss this option.

Contact us >>

Read about Family Endowments >>

When I was in high school, I was on the wrestling team, and it was brutal. I endured several hours of practice in a hot room, pushing myself physically and mentally through grueling practices, and fasting to make weight. At the end of every practice, my wrestling coach would make us do sprints across the room. The whistle would blow, and we would have to run as fast as we could from one end to the other. Keep in mind that this was at the end of a three-hour practice. I was exhausted with almost no energy left, but we were encouraged to push ourselves with everything we had. On the last sprint, the coach would  always say, “This is the last one, let’s make it the best one.” I was always encouraged to hear that it was the end, but it was also a great reminder to finish strong.

Every time I walked on the mat when it was finally time to compete in a tournament, I was ready. All my hours of work, pushing myself to exhaustion through exercise, and fasting to meet a weight class resulted in preparation. Beyond that, my sacrifices allowed me even an even greater feeling of gratitude and accomplishment when I was victorious.

Let us enter Holy Week with the same demeanor. This is the last week, let’s make it the best week. Palm Sunday is a celebration of Jesus entering Jerusalem. People excitedly waved palms to welcome Jesus – a welcome fit for the King. Let us bring that energy into our final week before Easter. Regardless of how well we were able to stick to our Lenten promises (made especially difficult this year with everything going on in our world), we can rededicate ourselves this final week and prepare our hearts for the resurrection.

I challenge you this Holy Week to let this last week be your best week as you continue, and perhaps amplify, your prayers, almsgiving, and fasting. Strengthen and fill your heart as we prepare for Christ and allow the resurrection of our Lord fill us with Joy.

“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.​” (John 12:12-15)

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph. The patron saint of workers, a happy death, husbands, fathers, and the Universal Church. That is high praise for a man who doesn’t have any spoken words in the Bible. From what we learn in the Gospels, he is married to Mother Mary, stepfather to Jesus, and trusted by God to protect and lead their family. Of course, this is not Joseph’s initial plan. I am sure he had a wonderful plan to marry his bride, have children and raise them in his home in Nazareth. Instead, God had a different plan for him. He was encouraged to be strong and take Mary as his wife even though he knew there would be judgement and scrutiny by the community. He didn’t even get to live in Nazareth like he had wanted. Immediately after Jesus was born, they fled to live in Egypt. What a life he didn’t plan.

The past few weeks have been an adjustment for us all in light of the developing COVID-19 situation. Many of us have had to adjust to working from home. Schools are closing down and many students are being educated at home over video calls. Businesses are closing, putting heavy burdens on business owners and leaving many without work. People are anxious about staying healthy and ensuring their families are safe and prepared. Then there are the most vulnerable in our community who are in need of care and resources now more than ever. Everyone in our community is making adjustments. None of this was in our plans for 2020.

My father, before he passed away, was a United States Marine. He was taught how to adapt, adjust, and overcome situations. What a great and challenging mentality. On Saint Joseph’s feast day, I think about how he would react and lead our family if he were still with us.

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph – the stepfather of Jesus who faced many changes and obstacles to raise his son with pride and integrity. Let us reflect on Saint Joseph’s great work and the gift of trust that God gave to him. Let us pray that we have the trust and flexibility to follow any path God lays out for us.

Society of Saint Joseph Prayer

Creator of all that lives, from the beginning of time you have entrusted to women and men the gifts of Creation itself that they may bring forth abundant blessings from your gracious hand.

From our first parents and down through the ages, from humble shepherds to royal rulers, skilled laborers to fearless prophets, your people handed on a legacy of faith until it bore fruit in the womb of Mary and was protected by the love of Joseph.

Now in your Son we have all been given Christ’s mission to plant the seeds of the Gospel that it may flourish not for our sake alone but for the good of generations to come.

Bless us now, we who continue the legacy of Joseph.

Like him, may we dedicate our lives to watching over the Church, the body of Christ that you have entrusted to us.

Increase our faith with Joseph’s courage who placed his trust in you even when the future was uncertain.

Open our hearts with Joseph’s generosity who gave his heart to Mary and Jesus.

And fill our lives with Joseph’s joy in knowing that our faith in Christ, through the grace of the Spirit, will live on beyond our days.

We ask this through Christ our Lord,

Amen

Recently I had the opportunity to share a retreat weekend with several great men. It was a wonderful opportunity to start my Lent by recharging and refocusing on the season. All the men were at different stages of their lives. Some were right out of college, just starting their careers, and discerning the big life decisions – Who should I marry? Should I marry? Where should I live? What profession am I be called to?

Other men were further along in their life – married, homeowners, raising children, and planning for what future obstacles may come. Then there were men who carried even more life experiences under their belts – men established in their profession or retired, with grandchildren, providing the gift of wisdom for the benefit of others.

After discussion throughout the weekend I noticed two commonalities regardless of age or stage in life. One is that we are always preparing for the next journey in our life. Young or old, near the beginning or end, we are always looking for the next brick to add to our foundation to build a legacy. Which leads to my second observation. What is the legacy we are leaving? How are we making an impact? Every person is looking for ways to grow and invest in their life. If you just finished your degree, you may be looking to begin laying the foundation of your legacy in your profession. If you have children, you want to be a virtuous example so that your children will continue what you built. Later in your life, you may want to leave a legacy for your community, for the place that helped you become who you are today.

We enter Lent, this season meant for preparation for the resurrection of Christ. We are taught to prepare through prayer (Justice to God), fasting (Justice to self), and almsgiving (Justice to neighbor). Every year, I enter Lent with a plan for how I can best give of myself in these ways. I plan a routine of the same things I do every year with the mindset: “This is what I am supposed to do.” I plan on giving up social media, changing my diet, dedicating extra time for prayer in the morning, and finding ways to volunteer at my local church. These are all admirable pursuits and opportunities for me to help eliminate distraction in preparation for Easter.

However, after this weekend I had a mental shift in my idea of Lenten preparation. The question I started asking about my preparation is now: “During Lent, how am I going to build the legacy of Christ?”

This is the challenge I present to you. Continue in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, but reflect on Christ and how your efforts are going to build on your legacy and the legacy of our Church.

“The most beautiful act of faith is the one made in darkness, in sacrifice, and with extreme effort.” -Saint Padre Pio

Are you interested in leaving a charitable legacy as part of your estate plan? The Foundation has ideas and tools which can help you plan for a legacy gift to your local parish or any charity that you love. Call us at 408.995.5219 or visit cfoscclegacy.org for more information.

We have written about bunching before, so why might now an opportune time to bunch your charitable donations into a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)? Below is a scenario you may want to discuss with your CPA or wealth advisor (or – for CPAs and advisors – an idea you may want to share with your clients):

• Are you approaching retirement? Chances are, your salary in the last five years of your career is about the highest it has ever been. After retirement, your income may be significantly decrease which makes charitable contributions less valuable for tax purposes.
  If you are approaching retirement, you may consider bunching donations into a DAF for the next few years. This way, you will take advantage of making large donations while you’re still in a higher tax bracket, and you are essentially saving up the charitable dollars you want to spend during your retirement. This allows you to continue giving to the charities that inspire you without using your retirement income. Plus, in a Donor Advised Fund, your money grows tax-free!

Bunching your charitable donations is a win-win for your taxes and for the charities you donate to regularly. Tax incentives are rarely the only reason you give to charity, but they are always a nice benefit when making a gift. Bunching your donations with a Donor Advised Fund is mainly a strategy for saving on your taxes (see the year-over-year comparison below), but it also provides the charities you love with stable, consistent income on which they depend.

What is “Bunching”?

“Bunching” is when you combine multiple years of your “normal” charitable donations into a single year. For example, a person who normally gives $10,000 a year to charity would “bunch” two years’ worth of donations into a single year; meaning they would give $20,000 to charity one year and $0 to charity the next.

Why “Bunch” Your Donations?

Bunching your donations means that during the year you donate to charity, your charitable deduction combines with other itemized deductions to increase the likelihood of exceeding the standard deduction which was increased to $24,000 in 2018. Your available tax deduction can actually increase if you use bunching, as you can see in the four-year bunching comparison below.

Bunching Example

To illustrate the tax savings that may occur when a donor utilizes bunching, we show a four-year comparison of the Lee family’s deductions. The Lees give $10,000 to their Donor Advised Fund and distribute that money to the charities they love. They don’t anticipate any major changes in their finances in the next four years, so they are planning to utilize the standard deduction of $24,000, for a total of $96,000 over four years.

Why “Bunch” Using a Donor Advised Fund?

While simply making all your donations in one year will get you the tax benefit, it can cause volatility in the charities you support. They will receive surpluses and shortfalls in bunching and non-bunching years, making it much more difficult for them to accurately budget and fundraise.

The solution for both taxpayers and charities is a Donor Advised Fund. This allows you to receive the full tax benefit of bunching, but also gives you the time and flexibility to advise grants to multiple charities with no time limit instead of giving in one lump sum. A Donor Advised Fund functions like a “charitable checking account.” You receive the tax deduction when you add money to the fund because that money can only ever be granted to nonprofit organizations. Your money grows tax-free in your fund and you don’t have a time limit for when you need to spend the money.

Why Open a Donor Advised Fund Now?

Now may be the perfect time to open a Donor Advised Fund at the Catholic Community Foundation depending on your personal financial situation. It takes $10,000 to open a DAF and you can advise grants to Catholic and non-Catholic organizations all over the U.S. While our services are similar to commercial DAFs in many ways, the big benefit of opening a DAF at the Foundation is that we are the only local, Catholic partner offering this service. This means we are able to tell you about great programs making an impact in our local community that could use your support. We also invest all our funds using USCCB guidelines and you will know that even the fees you pay on your fund help further Catholic ministry in our community.

Learn more about Donor Advised Funds with the Catholic Community Foundation.

Philanthropy is very personal. In my 30+ years as a CPA, I have worked with many different kinds of clients and I have seen that each client’s situation is unique. Some people are motivated by the causes they love; some are primarily looking for a solution for their tax situation; and some have not considered the topic of philanthropy until I raise it with them.  From year to year the same client’s financial circumstances can change or they may get involved with a new charity that tugs at their heartstrings. Providing my clients with various options for fulfilling their philanthropic goals, while also working to reduce their tax burden, is vital in my business, since they see me as a resource and trust my opinion.

One flexible tool that I often recommend is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). These funds are a great tool for clients who face income fluctuations from year to year or are nearing their retirement years when their taxable income will dramatically decrease. In years when there is high income and they are paying tax at a higher rate, a DAF can be utilized to “park” charitable donations for later use. This tactic to maximize the benefit of itemized deductions, often called “bunching,” is not new. It allows for tax deductions to be increased in one year to allow for itemizing deductions with the expectation they will claim the standard deduction in a following year. This has become more challenging after the dramatic increases in the standard deduction in the last two years.

A DAF provides a great opportunity for a person to increase their itemized deductions by making a large charitable contribution in one or more years. They can claim a tax deduction in the year the contribution is made, then later grant the money from their DAF to the charities they love with no time restrictions. This eases their stress, because they do not have to choose the charities when the contribution is made. They can take their time, do their research, and use their DAF to fund their philanthropy for years to come, instead of donating one lump sum to a particular charity. The charitable deduction has already been claimed.

Donor Advised Funds are convenient.  Some clients like the simplicity of making donations to a DAF each year, claim a single charitable contribution deduction on their tax return, then make their multitude of charitable contributions from the DAF. Some people like to make donations anonymously, so they appreciate that through a DAF they do not make direct contributions to organizations.

A great tax planning tool is to donate appreciated stock or complex assets to a DAF. This avoids the tax on unrealized capital gains while enabling the taxpayer to claim the deduction for the current value of the stock. Contributing stock or complex assets to a DAF can also benefit smaller charities which may not have the capability to process those types of gifts.

My clients always appreciate when I offer unique solutions that they may not have thought of themselves.  I suggest a Donor Advised Fund when it is appropriate for my clients’ needs.  Most often I suggest a DAF with the Catholic Community Foundation.  The Foundation offers a high-tech, high-touch model that my clients find appealing. The Foundation is locally based and they offer personal attention to each of their DAF holders that larger entities cannot match. If I see that a client has given to Catholic organizations in the past, I suggest the Catholic Community Foundation as an option for a DAF since they uphold Catholic values in their investments and grant making. I also let them know that DAFs from the Foundation can grant to non-Catholic organizations all over the U.S., so the Foundation is not exclusive to Catholic clients.

I get to know my clients and their needs, and I help them find solutions that fit their unique situations. A Donor Advised Fund is a flexible tool that I find myself recommending often, which adds significant value for my clients. I feel good about recommending the Catholic Community Foundation as a resource for my clients because I know they will help my clients fulfill their philanthropic goals and be a true partner in their philanthropy.

Loreen Huddleston has operated her firm, Loreen E. Huddleston, CPA, now Loreen E Huddleston CPA Accountancy Corp, for 32 years. Her office is located in downtown Los Gatos and she has extensive experience in accounting, income tax preparation and planning. The focus of Loreen’s practice is assisting individuals, small businesses and trusts to not only minimize income taxes through strategic planning, but to maximize long term financial well-being. Loreen accomplishes this by leveraging her vast experience preparing income tax returns, financial forecasts, business plans and budgets for individuals and small businesses.

We are excited to introduce you to these two talented additions to our team.

Nick Carney

Endowment & Planned Giving Manager

Nick is the Foundation’s main interface for Parishes and Schools as we work together to provide FOREVER VALUE through the development of permanent funds and planned giving. Nick manages the Society of Saint Joseph in conjunction with the Diocese. Nick comes to us from the YMCA, where he held a number of key positions in fund development and strategic planning.  He was also the president of Young Catholic Professionals Silicon Valley.

Where did you grow up and what was your favorite part about growing up there?
I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and my favorite things about home would definitely be having a supportive family and cheering for losing sports franchises.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I keep active outside: hiking, kayaking, or disc golf are some of my favorite activities. I am also actively involved with the Regnum Christi movement.

Why is your faith important to you?
My faith brings comfort, support, and freedom knowing that I am walking through life with a greater purpose.

What is your favorite part about working at the Foundation?
The opportunity to connect, share, and celebrate several faith driven missions.

What is something you still have left on your bucket list?
To make a bucket list.

Maya Reyes

Grants Program Manager

Maya oversees all of our grant programs, including the Spring Grant Cycle and the grants from Parish and School endowments.  Maya has a strong background in program and project management in the pharmaceutical industry.  Applying her skills and knowledge to our grant making will add great value.

Where did you grow up and what was your favorite part about growing up there?
I grew up in San Jose, CA and have lived here pretty much all of my life.  I love the warm summer weather, the “city” atmosphere, the great shopping venues and close proximity to beaches and snow topped mountains.

How did you end up working at the Foundation?
I was looking for an opportunity with purpose and meaning and something that would give me the chance to give back to the community, even if in a small way.  I found my current job with the Foundation during one of my routine searches of the Diocese of San Jose career website.

What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume?
I love to sing.  At one point in my life, I joined a make-shift band as a singer.  I also co-wrote a song for my soon-to-be husband and then sang it to him at our wedding reception.

Why is your faith important to you?
My faith has allowed me to be open, more accepting and to trust that God has a plan for me.  My faith gives me a connection to something that is greater than me and brings purpose and meaning to my life.

I love hiking and one of my favorite places to go is into the redwood forest of the Santa Cruz mountains. I think redwood trees are amazing. Not because of their overwhelming height or longevity, but because of the strength they are able to sustain. Redwood trees grow in circle groves and live thousands of years. I was always curious about this. How could something live so long? Why a circle? Then I learned that redwood trees grow this way intentionally. Redwood trees are very tall, but their roots are shallow and short, which makes it a bit imperfect and in need of support. The beauty of redwood trees is that they work together in community intertwining their roots for strength. Without the support of each other they would not last.

The key word that I would like to focus on is community. These redwood trees live and thrive as a community. In God’s image we are not made as individuals. We are not made to walk alone. We are made to grow and thrive in community. Too many times we rely on ourselves to accomplish our own tasks. We try to carry our goals, ambitions, or gifts as a silo and that pressure can weigh on us. The name of the Catholic Community Foundation is always cherishing the importance of community and the strength of many people coming together to make an impact. We help create FOREVER VALUE through our Catholic faith, responsible investing, and the funds we grant, but the real strength of this organization is how people are coming together to improve the Catholic community they love through their time, talent and treasure. It is a fulfilling opportunity, for me personally and for the organization as a whole, to act as a connector between Catholic ministries continuing to grow and in need of support and individuals and families who are inspired to give back and are able to give generously. These connections bring people together, intertwining their roots, making the whole community stronger.

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s value the importance of living in community and the different people who make up that community – your partner, your employer, your friends, your church. Let’s celebrate the many and unique ways our community supports and loves us.

This Valentine’s Day, let’s ask ourselves:

• What are the blessings God has given me from my community?
• How I can best support my community through my time, talents, and treasure?

“We are one body, individually members one of another.” -Romans 12:4-8

Nick Carney is the Catholic Community Foundation’s Endowment and Planned Giving Program Manager. If you are interested in learning more about growing your parish’s endowment or leaving a legacy for a ministry or organization you love, contact him at 408.995.5219 or carney@catholiccf.mmediaweb.com.

The Catholic Community Foundation of Santa Clara County awarded the first-ever Catholic Impact Scholar Award to Ian da Silva of Bellarmine College Prep. This award is given to a junior who exemplifies the impact that a Catholic high school education has on a student’s future goals and view of the world around them. Each of the local Catholic high schools was invited to nominate one junior student to write an essay answering the question, “How has my Catholic education prepared me to contribute to, engage with and improve my community and the world?” The winner of the award receives $5,000 toward their senior year tuition.

Five of the local high schools submitted a nominee for consideration. “It was extremely difficult to select just one winner,” said Bertha Minnihan, Chair of the Grants Committee. “Each student had a unique perspective on the essay prompt. It was inspiring to read about all of these accomplished young people who are the future of our faith and our community!” After careful consideration, the committee decided on Ian da Silva as the award recipient.

Ian’s activities and accomplishments at Bellarmine include participation in robotics and track (long jump), planning liturgies in Campus Ministry, serving as Vice President of the Black Student Union, lecturing at his parish and working toward becoming an Eagle Scout. In his essay, Ian discussed his faith journey and the role that his high school classes, community, and campus ministry activities, namely the Kairos retreat, played in that journey. While he had always felt close to God growing up, during his freshman year he began feeling his “connection with God slowly weaken.” He continued attending mass, taking religion classes in school, and participating at his parish, however the close connection he previously felt with God and his faith began to fade.

He always enjoyed going on retreats and so decided to attend Bellarmine’s Kairos retreat for junior students. This is when everything changed for Ian. “Kairos taught me how to appreciate the things and people that God has put in my life,” said Ian in his essay. “It was on this retreat that I developed my current image of God: a perfect person who created us in his image, knows all, and can do anything.” Ian felt that the community of students and staff at Bellarmine were key in bringing him back to his faith. “The rigorous academics at Bellarmine have prepared me to be successful in life, while also teaching me that the best way to use this success is for the good of others,” said Ian. “Realizing that my life is not just my own, but for the world, helps me to see that we are all needed to carry the love of God to others…My faith inspires me to give people hope in their hard times and be a friend in their loneliness.”

Missy Scott-Flórez, Director of Campus Ministry at Bellarmine, wrote a glowing review for Ian which described a driven and compassionate young leader. “In this valley, it sometimes seems like people are gripped by fear, feeling that if they do not do this mysterious and illustrious something, they might miss out on a good future. So, they sometimes end up walking around touting the many things they do, like the shield that enters the room ahead of them to prove why they are worthy or powerful. While Ian is a busy person with a full life…he does not present this as his façade. I think he knows that there is something deeper to orient one’s life toward.”

The Catholic Community Foundation is proud to award the inaugural Catholic Impact Scholar Award to Ian da Silva and knows that each of this year’s exceptional nominees has a bright future ahead of them.

Learn more about the Catholic Impact Scholar Award here.