Making an investment for the future

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
MOBILE — The Catholic Foundation recently reached a 10-year milestone, but the future is what’s especially exciting.
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi celebrated a private Mass Sept. 9 at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for Catholic Foundation supporters, which was followed by a reception, in recognition of The Catholic Foundation receiving its first funds 10 years ago. 
The Catholic Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization which assists those who wish to provide lasting financial support to Catholic parishes, schools, ministries or programs throughout the Archdiocese of Mobile. The Catholic Foundation acts as a custodian, making sure funds are prudently invested while under the Foundation’s care. The Catholic Foundation also ensures every endowed gift is distributed as requested by the donor to the Catholic parish, school or ministry designated by the donor. Every dollar in the Catholic Foundation is invested according to our values as Catholics.
Funds in The Catholic Foundation include endowed funds, charitable trusts and reserve funds. Gifts can be made through cash, appreciated securities/stock, income from the sale of real estate, bequest of will, retirement accounts, life insurance and charitable gift annuity.
Unlike tithing, which helps parishes and ministries meet current needs, The Catholic Foundation helps provide for the future.
“The image I like to use is we’re planting a tree whose shadow we will not sit in, its shade we will not enjoy,” Archbishop Rodi said. “But we can plant a whole forest of trees that will benefit the people of the archdiocese for generations to come.”
Archbishop Rodi likened it to how generations of people have benefitted from the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the land where Holy Spirit Hall retreat center sits.
The Cathedral was consecrated for public worship in 1850, but still impacts many today. Land where Holy Spirit Hall sits along Mobile Bay in Battles Wharf was purchased in 1876, but is vital to today’s generation of young people in the Archdiocese of Mobile.
“You all have started something here with The Catholic Foundation,” Archbishop Rodi said. “You are building something for people who you will never meet in this life. … It will bless people God-willing, for generations to come.”
—    For more information on The Catholic Foundation, visit catholicfoundationalabama.org.