July 16, 2010
Special Report
Year for Priests brings new endowments to parishes
By LINDA COX (Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana, Inc.)
As the celebration for the Year for Priests comes to an end, several parishes took this opportunity to thank their pastors for all of the service that they have given to their parishes. Whether it is a Baptism, a First Communion, a wedding or even a funeral, our pastors have been at the center of some of the most important events in our lives. Many of us have wondered how we can thank these priests who have given so much to each of us.
To honor these priests, four new endowments were established in their names to benefit their parish and parishioners forever. These endowments create a legacy for future generations and a permanent way to thank our priests for their years of dedication.
At St. Benedict Cathedral, two endowments to honor Benedictine Fathers Gregory Chamberlin and Harold Ham-merstein were established. The annual distributions will be returned to the parish each year and will benefit the parish and school. The parish also created an endowment to honor their school principal, Benedictine Sister Karlene Sensmeier, to provide ongoing financial assistance for students attending St. Benedict School.
During the annual Living Legacy Society Dinner, Father Joe Ziliak was presented a satin box filled with all of the names of the parishioners who had started the endowment in his honor. Hundreds of gifts in all sizes were given and the names of everyone were written on a leaf symbolizing the gingko tree located at the parish. This endowment will generate over $2,500 each year and will be used for the general purposes at the parish.
A special endowment in honor of Father Tony Ernst was presented to support vocations within the Princeton Deanery. The Father Tony Ernst Vocational Scholarship was established is to provide an annual $1,000 scholarship to a student of religious vocations who attended any Catholic School or is a member of any Catholic Church from the Princeton Deanery.
Once an endowment is started, anyone can add to it at any time and in any amount. It is a wonderful way to thank someone or celebrate a special occasion, by adding to these endowments. As we think about all of the ways that our parish priests have been there for so many of life’s most important moments, starting an endowment to honor them forever is something that we can continue to do as we will always celebrate our Priests.
For more information on establishing an endowment at your parish to honor or memorialize a loved one, you may also contact the Catholic Foundation at their website, www.catholicfoundationswin.org, or by email at lcox@evdio.org. A minimum gift of $5,000 is required to create your own legacy at your parish for your specific intentions. If you would like more information on contributing to an existing endowment, please contact your parish or the Catholic Foundation at (812) 424-5536.