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February 16, 2018The Catholic Foundation Inc. of Lubbock began this Lenten season with the Annual Winterfest Dinner on Friday, February 16th. This event is held every winter in appreciation for all who support the Catholic Foundation, as well as the grant recipients from the previous year. At this event, the donors and grant recipients celebrated $108,000 in grants given to organizations and parishes throughout this fiscal year.
Most Reverend Bishop Robert Coerver began the celebration with a blessing of the meal and a warm welcome to all in attendance. As guest of honor, Bishop Coerver was surprised with catering from one of his favorite restaurants in town, Campisi’s Restaurant.
Chair of the Board of Directors for the Catholic Foundation, Jane Piercy, began the event by introducing current and past board members and introduced the grant recipients for the 2017 fiscal year. Piercy mentioned that the Catholic Foundation provided the Diocese of Lubbock an annual grant of $85,000 and another $18,000 in grants to parishes, Catholic schools and organizations and a special $5,000 grant to Raider Catholic.
Then Piercy asked for the grant recipients to be recognized. Grant recipients in attendance included Lydia Aguilar from St. Paul in Seagraves, recipient of a $500 grant to purchase liturgical linens, Sabrina Robbins with Catholic Charities, recipient of a $750 grant for the Parent Empowerment Program, Lawrence D’Souza with the Nurturing Center, recipient of a $500 grant for expenses related to presenting Theology of the Body programs in rural parishes, Kathy Krile with Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat Ministry of West Texas, a recipient of a $500 for scholarships for those suffering from the trauma of abortion to attend a healing retreat, Fr. Rene Perez, pastor at St. Mary Magdalen in Earth, recipient of a $500 grant for liturgical vestments, as well as Immaculate Conception parish in Muleshoe, recipient of a $750 grant to purchase a new refrigerator, and students from Raider Catholic, recipients of a $750 grant for a subscription to FORMED website and app, as well as a $5000 grant for operating expenses.
As a surprise, Piercy, on behalf of the Catholic Foundation Board, presented previous Managing Director of the Foundation, Renée Underwood, an award for her dedication and hard work over the years to the Catholic Foundation of Lubbock. Underwood served as Managing Director from 2009 to 2017, and moved to the Diocese of Fort Worth in July to be closer to her grandchildren. Unaware that she would be receiving the award, she traveled to Lubbock in support of the Foundation and was joined by her son, Austin Underwood of Lubbock.
Bishop Coerver returned to the mic, first recognizing the young adults in attendance from Raider Catholic. He noted, “They were utterly appalled that I didn’t ask them to get in line last for food. Why should they go last? We say they are the future of our Church, and we should treat our young people with the respect and dignity that they deserve.”
During his remarks, Bishop Coerver spoke about the importance of planned giving. He shared that he recently wrote his Last Will and Testament, and although he knew he wanted part of his estate to go to his nieces and nephews, he also knew he wanted to leave part of his estate in the hands of the Catholic Foundation. He trusts the Foundation to use his contribution to help the greater Church in ways that they see fit.
Honoring his pledge of transparency from the 2016 Winterfest, Bishop Coerver gave these specifics listed below:- $30,000 went toward security infrastructure for the Diocese
- $20,000 helped CTK Teacher Health Insurance Premiums subsidy
- $1,800 to six parishes, $300 each, in Floydada, Matador, Paducah, Ranchito, Spur and Aspermont to help supplement mileage for priests
- $20,000 to Catholic Charities subsidy
- $4,200 to help St Mary Spur
- $9,000 for Mercy Center subsidy
He spoke of the ministries this grant money helped, the importance of helping needy parishes, and the administrative costs of the diocese.
The evening wrapped up with a round of thanks to Christ the King Cathedral, Campisi’s Restaurant, the Catholic Foundation staff: Rachel Martinez and Kassidy Allen, and many volunteers. Bishop Coerver led the attendees in a final blessing, which included the Stewardship Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
As guests left they remarked on the Annual Report, a new addition to the event. You can view the 2017 Annual Report at catholicfoundationlubbock.org/accountability.
