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Building Relationships - Investing in the Future

Rooted in the vision of Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, the Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri seeks to accomplish a simple, yet lofty, goal: to connect donors and their philanthropic activity to the local Catholic Church in a meaningful way. Schools, parishes and charities throughout the Archdiocese rely on the support of generous benefactors to further their missions and sustain their outreach efforts.

Collaborating with the region's professional advisors, the foundation hopes to create new avenues for giving. With the sacrificial gifts of many, we strive to secure the growth of the Catholic Church for future generations. Cultivating this spirit of philanthropy takes time.

To lay the groundwork for this collaboration, Archbishop Carlson and members of the Board of Trustees of the Roman Catholic Foundation invited the area’s top financial advisors to a reception at the Saint Louis Club in June. With more than 40 professionals in attendance, the event was a great success.

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A Campaign for Catholic Education

The Roman Catholic Foundation arose from Archbishop Carlson’s mission advancement initiative, Alive in Christ. The foundation is making plans to establish a fund to assist in keeping Catholic education affordable and accessible.

Planning is underway at the Roman Catholic Foundation to lead an Archdiocesan campaign to endow Catholic education. As the foundation prepares for this landmark undertaking, we continue to assist schools, agencies and parishes in the Archdiocese by increasing philanthropic activity.

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“Charity and love are a life choice, a way of being, of living, it is the way of humility and solidarity.”  — Pope Francis
Live a Stewardship Life

True stewardship means sowing seeds that will flourish into an abundant harvest - a process that takes planning and time. God has blessed everyone differently, but each of us has received all we need to find happiness in this life and the next. Having been blessed with God’s goodness, we must strive to build up His Kingdom. Our generosity and selflessness are reflections of God’s infinite love. The sacrificial offerings we make here on earth help real people in need – our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Many families of modest means have a will to share with their children and grandchildren the fruits of their lifetime of labor and God’s good grace. You have worked hard to achieve success and financial stability. You probably plan to use your resources to provide for your loved ones.

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A Generous Response
by Mark Guyol

As president of the foundation, I have had many opportunities to reach out to local parishes, apostolates and agencies within the Archdiocese of St. Louis. In my interactions with pastors, staff and dedicated volunteers, I have learned so much about the missions of these dynamic organizations. Meeting these dedicated leaders who support Catholic outreach programs has been energizing and inspiring.
 
My conversations with Catholic leaders opened my eyes to the many challenges they face in their ministry. Despite the difficulties associated with serving the poor, instructing students, organizing youth programs and all the other great works of evangelization, these people love what they do. When I share with them the vision of the Roman Catholic Foundation, they respond with enthusiasm and gratitude – we are helping them fulfill their evangelical work.
 
In my meetings with local Catholics, the response has been equally encouraging. They appreciate the Archbishop’s foresight and support his decision to set up this structure to benefit Catholic entities into the future. Our donors are intentional in their generosity. They value that the foundation will allow them to designate their gifts for specific organizations and purposes, while keeping the funds separate and secure.
 
The generous responses I have received from enthusiastic Catholics make me even more hopeful and positive than I was when the foundation first was established. What started as a vision for the future is becoming a reality here and now. So many people – donors, organizations and the people they serve – will benefit because of the generosity, selflessness and foresight of people like you. I am honored to facilitate this process to help local Catholics achieve their philanthropic goals.

For more information, or to learn how you can create a legacy through your estate, please contact me at 314-918-2890 or visit rcfstl.org.
 




Mark Guyol
President & CEO
Building Relationships, continued.

By partnering with these experienced men and women, the Roman Catholic Foundation hopes to build relationships that will encourage ongoing Catholic stewardship. With help from the foundation, financial advisors can recommend investment vehicles that benefit their clients in support of local Catholic organizations. Together, we hope to establish endowments and donor advised funds whose earnings contribute to the Church’s mission and touch the lives of many.

Our parishes, schools, agencies and charities thrive because of the local Catholics who have adopted a lifestyle of ongoing, intentional stewardship. Together with these financial advisors, the Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri equips Catholics with the resources and information they need to sustain and grow their legacy of generosity for the Church and the world.


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Catholic Education, continued.

Learn how you can support this campaign and further your family’s tradition of stewardship. Whether you would like to donate to an agency, establish a memorial scholarship, or sustain the growth of your parish, our mission is to build and invest endowed funds for the benefit of the Church and the people she serves. With your help, these funds will enable God’s work to bear fruit in St. Louis and throughout the region.

Later this year the Catholic community will begin to learn more about how this campaign can be a way to further a family tradition of stewardship, or begin one for the first time. Gifts will be directed toward helping schools with scholarships and endowed programs that will benefit our young people - the next generation of Catholics. Through the campaign, funds will enable God's work to bear fruit in St. Louis and throughout eastern Missouri.

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Live a stewardship life, continued.

When preparing a Will, however, it can be easy to overlook your parish, the Catholic schools, youth organizations, charities and agencies that have enriched your family's life. Consider including them as you would a child who might receive the financial benefits of a gift. Your contribution not only reflects your gratitude for the blessings you have received, but also represents a commitment to sustaining these same programs and agencies that have impacted you or your loved ones over your lifetime.

In his apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis teaches, “God’s heart has a special place for the poor, so much so that he himself ‘became poor.' (2 Corinthians 8:9) "The entire history of our redemption is marked by the presence of the poor.” (Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel) Following Christ’s example of love and mercy, let us turn our hearts generously to the needs of others and use our gifts to build up the Church.

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Copyright © 2014 Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri, All rights reserved.


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