April 2019 Dear Friends in Christ, We hope you enjoyed a blessed Lenten Season, a time when we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to service by giving alms, and to sacrifice through self-control and fasting. It is a time for true conversion of our hearts and minds as followers of Christ. At The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida, we are always seeking ways to renew our hearts and minds in service of Christ by finding better ways to serve our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Orlando. This month, we continue preparing for our upcoming Investor Conference Series designed to connect generous Catholic leaders like you with ministries close to your heart; we are sharing our new Strategic Planvision for the next 10 years; we presented a Catholic legacy seminar hosted by St. Theresa Catholic Church in Belleview; we served our priests at our annual Chrism Mass at St. James Cathedral, and we supported our Diocesan partners at Bishop Grady Villas. The Catholic Foundation thanks you for your faith commitment and partnership. God bless you! Please click here to see a (44-second) Easter video Message from Bishop John Noonan. Even now, says the LORD— return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God.” – Joel 2:12-13
Save the Date!
Learn how you can expand the power of your philanthropy through professionally managed investments that are socially screened to respect Catholic values. Learn how you can establish your Catholic legacy by investing in ways that build faith community. Register today for our 2019 Investor Conference Series to learn about current and future Catholic-investment opportunities that increase the value of your gifts while supporting ministries close to your heart in the Diocese of Orlando. Our Catholic-investment portfolio offers a host of opportunities at many giving levels to support your philanthropic choice:
- $20,000 or more to establish a new Endowment Fund to support your parish, school or ministry
- $10,000 or more to establish your Donor-Advised Fund to support a ministry or organization in compliance with Catholic social teaching (beginning Winter 2019)
- Any amount to an existing Endowment supporting parishes, schools and ministries
Our investment and philanthropy experts will discuss how Catholic values center our investment and growth philosophy. Our experts and staff will be available to answer your questions and help you establish your Catholic legacy. Please click here to read a Catholic philanthropy article by Colleen D. Mitchell who will be a featured speaker at The Catholic Foundation’s 2019 Investor Conference Series. 2019 Investor Conference Series: Wednesday, June 12, 2019
- Morning Session: 8am – 12pm (Click here to register for 8am session)
- Afternoon Session: 1pm – 5pm (Click here to register for 1pm session)
Seating is limited! Register today!
Congratulations, Bill!
Congratulations to The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida’s founding Board Chair, Bill Orosz! The Orlando Business Journal (OBJ) this month named Bill “2019 Developer of the Year.” OBJ subscribers can read the full story by clicking here.
New Strategic Plan
The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida is implementing a three-year strategic plan with a 10-year vision to guide our efforts in a manner that honors the principles and vision of our founding members. It is a holistically envisioned plan created by our board in collaboration with Bishop John Noonan, our donors, pastors and staff. Through this partnership, the Foundation has new vision, mission and value statements to guide us through the next decade. Please click here to see our Strategic Plan infographic. Please click here to see our Strategic Plan web page.
Financially Healthy Parishes
Offertory Enhancement Initiative The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida supports our parishes’ financial wellness through the Offertory Enhancement Initiative. It is a Fall initiative to increase annual giving for unmet parish needs. We partner with pastors and lay leaders who invite their parishioners to deepen their faith and consider increasing their offertory support, prayer or time to serve parish needs. Parishes that participate in the initiative see an average 13% increase in offertory giving. Pastors or parish staff who want to learn more about the Offertory Enhancement Initiative can contact Doris Quiñones, Campaign Director, at dquinones@cfocf.org or 407-246-7191.
In the Community…
St. Theresa Catholic Church (Belleview) 
Led by Janet Caramello, Director of Philanthropic Engagement and Planned Giving, The Catholic Foundation presented an April 1 seminar at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Belleview. More than 50 people attended and learned about topics including Wills & Estate Planning, Catholic End-of-Life Medical Care, Catholic Funeral Rites, and Funeral Preparations. “So many parishioners thanked St. Theresa’s for hosting the Legacy Planning Seminar,” said Marcia Wheatley, St. Theresa’s Operations Manager. “They told me that it was very educational, organized, and well informed.” To learn more about these topics or request a seminar at your parish, please contact Janet at jcaramello@cfocf.org or 407-246-4802. To learn about future seminars and events, please visit the Catholic Foundation’s Events Calendar by clicking here.
In the Community…
Chrism Mass (St. James Cathedral, Orlando) More than 90 priests joined Bishop John Noonan and the Catholic faithful at the Chrism Mass on April 17. During the Mass, Bishop Noonan consecrated the holy oils used in Sacraments and other celebrations during the year, priests renewed their priestly commitment, and jubilarian priests celebrating 25 and 50 years anniversaries of Ordination were honored. Catholic Foundation staff assisted with greeting and hosting our priests. 
Video: Please click here to see a short (54-second) video about the Blessing of the Holy Oils.
In the Community…
Supporting Bishop Grady Villas 
Catholic Foundation staff attended a late April breakfast to support their Diocesan partners at Bishop Grady Villas, a residential community where adults with intellectual disabilities live as independently as possible while receiving the care and support they need to be safe and healthy. Established in 2004 by Sister Elizabeth Marie Stoup, Bishop Grady Villas empowers its residents to reach their full potential through Christ-centered, personalized and holistic residential, vocational and employment services, and community support. Please click here to make a gift to Bishop Grady Villas. 
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