As we joyfully celebrate the Easter season, we are reminded that it was through Jesus’ love for us that he freely suffered and died so each one of us can have eternal life. Jesus did this for you, me, your children, your next door neighbor, the homeless man at the stop light, the woman with an unexpected pregnancy- each and every person we pass and interact with each day. We are all called to be, and help others, become saints and it’s with this goal that our family set up a Donor Advised Fund (DAF).
Hector and I were both raised Catholic and faith continued to be an important part of our lives as we started our vocation in marriage at St. James Cathedral in 2012. Throughout our journey over the last 12 years together going from single adults, to a married couple, to a family of five, we have grown in our understanding of what matters the most in this life. As part of our spiritual journey, we committed to giving a larger offering of the “treasure” God has blessed us with to align with God’s calling of us to spread the Christian worldview. My parents also did the same and set a good example of the importance of working hard and using your gifts and talents for a greater good.
Through the Catholic Foundation, we can ensure that our supported organizations are consistent with spreading the Church and our family’s mission of becoming saints in Heaven. Our offertory to our parish, and children’s school, St. John Vianney is an important part of our giving. They are both an extension of our domestic church and an integral part of living our faith with our Central Florida community. We support other local organizations such as JMJ pregnancy center that helps women in need here in Orlando and being part of the Catholic Foundation’s Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle. This initiative engages in collective philanthropy to have a greater impact in issues facing our community.
We are thankful for the excellent service that the Catholic Foundation provides and appreciate the relationships we have built. We look forward to continuing to give our treasures to spread God’s love and grace with others, remembering the words of Mother Teresa- “Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely, right where you are — in your own homes and in your own families, in homes and in your workplaces and in your schools. You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have eyes to see.”
For more information about donor advised funds, endowments or gift planning, please contact Madelyn Weed or 407-246-7188 or visit www.cfocf.org/daf.