Friends of the Foundation 2021
A crowd of 80+ came together on November 9, 2021 to share in fellowship and conversation at the sixth annual Friends of the Foundation reception at the Briar Ridge Country Club. The Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana brings donors and fund holders together to share stories of the good work being done in the Diocese of Gary. Several new endowment funds were opened in the 2020 – 2021 year, and many new faces were introduced joining with corporate sponsors and winners of the 2021 Mercy Grant Awards to celebrate another year of growth for the Foundation.
Bishop Robert J. McClory compared an endowment fund to a tree, saying the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and the next best time is to plant a tree today, referring to the investments in the Foundation and how important it is to water those trees to benefit future generations.
A short video presentation outlined the history of the Foundation and introduced this year’s 2021 Mercy Grant winners:
Miscarriage, Mothers & Others
Their work recognizes the life of the unborn child and the validation of the parent’s, sibling’s, and grandparent’s grief when a miscarriage happens in the family. Their activities include educational information and outreach to families who have lost a child through miscarriage.
Saint Elizabeth Seton Prison Ministry
The ministry puts together bags with clothes and toiletries for prisoners who are reentering society. Volunteers purchase and collect clothes and shoes from various churches in the diocese and assist with rent for newly released offenders.
Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center
This Center provides missionaries to lead Catholic college students into a growing relationship with Christ. FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) ministers help students put their relationship with Christ into action through mission and service.
Sojourner Truth House
They are a ministry of hope and help for homeless and at-risk women and their children sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Through hospitality, advocacy, integrative services and collaboration, participants improve their quality of life and that of the community in a safe, trusting environment assisting participants to improve their quality of life and become contributing members of their communities.