SOAR! NEWS SUPPORT OUR AGING RELIGIOUS, INC.

20TH A NNIVERSARY NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2006

20 Years Making a Difference

Dear Friends of SOAR!, This anniversary time, we pause to reflect on what has transpired over 5, 10, 15, and now 20 years. Your and financial support have helped countless religious as they have aged in place. Many want you to know how grateful they are and to assure you of their daily prayers for your special intentions. Through this Anniversary Issue, we aim to thank everyone whose generous contributions helped to generate significant renovations and provide therapeutic equipment for religious congregations in need. SOAR! receives many heart warming letters each day. Just one example of how your gifts have made a difference follows. It echoes the gratitude of many grant recipients.

Dear SOAR Board of Directors and Staff: The reason for this letter is to

sincerely acknowledge the grant from

SOAR for $6,500 to begin our project of Sister Leonard Giacolone former kindergarten teacher and installing showers in the bathrooms of choreographer turned model to promote showers designed for the elderly. our facility. I am a recipient of one of these shower units and being an elderly Many religious congregations remain in sister I find it so easy and convenient to financial need. Some are dependent on their social security checks which average about $4,125 annually shower. or just $12.00 a day. Thank you and be assured of a During this anniversary year, we invite you to special remembrance in my prayers for continue to share your commitment to the religious you and for all the wonderful help SOAR who taught you, employed you, cared for you during a gives to others. hospitalization, or provided other services by making a gift to SOAR! Your gift will help to purchase more Gratefully yours, medical equipment, retrofit living spaces to make Sr. Maria Battaglia” them handicapped accessible and compliant with ADA Apostles of the of code requirements, and install elevators and Hamden, CT sprinkler and security systems.

SOAR! NEWS SUMMER 2006 PAGE 2

The Esteemed Honorees District of Columbia

1987 Theobold During 1988 Mr. John O’Neil Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was 1989 Mr. Thomas Lake born, Elizabeth Ann Bayley in 1774 in 1990 The Catholic Daughters of the City. She developed into a 1991 Sister M. Majella Berg, RSHM New York socialite, a devoted wife, and 1992 Reverend Monsignor di Teccia Farina mother of 5 children. Following the 1993 Corinne (Lindy) Claiborne Boggs death of her husband, she converted 1994 The Loyola Foundation to Catholicism and founded in 1809 the first new 1995 Mr. Mark Russell community for religious women in the US and the 1996 Mr. Mark Shields following year the first free for girls staffed 1997 Sandra Andrea McMurtrie by sisters. Her legacy now includes 6 religious 1998 Timothy and Monica May communities with more than 5,000 members, hundreds of 1999 Reverend Monsignor John J. Enzler schools, social service centers and hospitals throughout the 2000 Kevin and Jane Belford world. Her tireless efforts in social ministry, charity, and 2001 Otto and Jane Ruesch education led to her canonization in 1975. 2002 His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick 2003 Reverend William J. Byron, S.J SOAR! Awards: Testimonies of 2004 Sister Carol Keehan, D.C., R.N., M.S. 2005 The Late Eugene I Kane Appreciation Reverend Monsignor Thomas A. Kane 2006 Dr. and Mrs. John J. DeGioia SOAR!’s Awards are strong testimonies of appreciation for New York the genuine generosity and goodness of individuals who have made 1997 William G. Parrett a difference in the lives of others. 1998 Dr. Francis J. Macchiarola Once again the SOAR! Board of Directors and staff and the grant recipients express our gratitude to all the individuals and 2001 Drs. John and Yvonne Driscoll couples who served as honorees to guarantee the success of the gala 2002 Detective Denis P. Mulcahy dinners held in , Illinois; , La Jolla, Garden 2003 John J. Fialka Grove, Orange County, and , California; New York, Catholic Daughters of the Americas 2004 Monsignor Peter G. Finn New York; and , DC. 2005 Denis Hughes The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton award is given to individuals and couples who have distinguished themselves through 2006 Joseph P. Delaney the sharing of their leadership and generosity in the spirit of the Chicago Saint Elizabeth Seton. In Orange County, CA to the Saint 2000 Shirley Madigan Elizabeth Ann Seton Awards, the following individuals were 2002 Edward M. Burke honored for their roles as Catholic leaders: Los Angeles 1992 Sr. Marie Therese Solomon, ODN and Daniel J. Harney 1996 The Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters 1993 Sr. Jane Frances Power, CSJ and Stanley Pawlowski 1997 Tom Lasorda 1994 Patrick Vincent Loughnane and Eugene J. Deiss 1998 The Thomas & Dorothy Leavey Foundations Of special note is that in 1993 Denise Hattler established & the Late Dorothy Leavey the Father Victor Yanitelli, S.J. Award given at the New York 1999 Bob & Lois Erburu dinners to religious for outstanding work in their ministries. 2001 Richard and Maude Ferry Each person that we have honored over the past 20 years is 2002 George and Gretchen Gibbs recognized for a persona that inspirits and empowers others. All 2003 Most Reverend Joseph M. Sartoris have outstanding gifts of grace as searchers of truths in writings; 2004 Allen and Kathleen Lund compassionate caregivers; or advocates in the pursuit of quality Orange County education, the appreciation of the arts, or social causes. 2006 H.E. Sir Patrick D. Powers, KCGHS, KM San Francisco 2001 Joanne Murphy 2002 Dr. Eileen Aicardi 2003 Diane Buchanan Wilsey & Lenore Heffernan SOAR! NEWS SUMMER 2006 PAGE 3

Grant Recipients: Time and Again Grateful

The grant recipients consistently express their gratitude for the grant awards through thank you notes or phone calls. They always want to make sure that the donors, boards of directors, and staff are aware of their gratitude and prayers for them.

SOAR! Grants… Your Generosity Made Visible

ALABAMA COLORADO (continued) ILLINOIS (continued) Benedictine Sisters, Cullman Trappist Community (St. Benedict), , Chicago Visitation Sisters, Mobile Snowmass Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary, Kankakee ARKANSAS CONNECTICUT Sisters of St. Joseph of La Grange Benedictine of Subiaco Abbey, Apostles of the Sacred Heart, Hamden La Grange Park Subiaco Our Lady of Grace - Sisters of the Living Word, St. Scholastica Monastery, Ft. Smith Dominican , N. Guilford Arlington Heights Daughters of the Holy Spirit, Putnam Sisters of the Resurrection, Chicago CALIFORNIA School Sisters of Notre Dame, Wilton Sisters of Daughters of Charity, Los Altos Hill, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Des Plaines Sisters of IHM, Los Angeles Windsor St. Francis, Joliet Sisters of the Holy Names, Los Gatos Benedictine Sisters of SH, Lisle Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, DELAWARE Sisters-St. Charles Los Angeles Sisters of Notre Dame, Wilmington Melrose Park Collaborative Project, Los Angeles Capuchin , Wilmington Little Brothers/Good Shepherd, Dominican Sisters, San Jose Momence Sisters of the Holy Family, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Inst. of Blessed Mary, Wheaton Mission San Jose Dominican Fathers & Brothers Sisters of Christian Charity, Wilmette Daughters of Mary and Joseph, of Charity Resurrection Health Care, Chicago Ranchos Palos Verde Dominican Nuns, St. Dominic’s Little Sisters of the Poor, Chicago Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, Monastery Freemont Marist Society INDIANA Salesian Society of Fathers & Brothers, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, San Francisco Visitation Nuns Donaldson Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick, Sisters of St. Benedict, Ferdinand Oxnard Mount St. Francis Friary, Sisters of the Holy Family, Freemont Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Augustine Mount St. Francis Sisters of the Presentation, San Francisco Benedictine Monks of Florida-Saint Leo Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Abbey, Saint Leo Sisters of St. Joseph, South Bend Saratoga Sisters of Providence Little Sisters of the Poor, San Francisco GEORGIA St. Mary of the Woods Little Sisters of the Poor, San Pedro Abbey of Our Lady Holy Spirit Sisters of Los (Benedictine Monks), Conyers IOWA Angeles, Gardena Carmelite Sisters, Savannah , Cedar Rapids Carmelite Sisters of St. Joseph, Solvang Cistercian Nuns (Trappist Nuns) Nuns of the Order of , IDAHO Dubuque Los Angeles Benedictine Sisters of St. Gertrude Congregation/Humility of Mary, Sisters of Notre Dame, Thousand Oaks Monastery, Cottonwood Davenport Sisters of , Tustin Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton Sister of Mercy, Burlingame ILLINOIS Sisters of the Visitation Dubuque Sisters of Saint Louis, Woodland Hills Augustinian Order Province of Our /BVM, Iowa Mother of Good Counsel, Sisters of St. Francis, Iowa COLORADO Olympia Fields Abbey of St. Walburga, Virginia Dale School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the KANSAS Sisters of St. Benedict - Benet Hill King, Lemont Benedictine Sisters, Atchison Monastery, Colorado Springs School Sisters of Notre Dame, Berwyn Dominican Sisters, Great Bend Sisters of St. Francis, Denver Benedictine Sisters, Chicago Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia Sisters of St. Benedict, Littleton Christian Brothers, Chicago Concordia SOAR! NEWS SUMMER 2006 PAGE 4 Ursuline Sisters of Paola, Paola Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the

KENTUCKY MASSACHUSETTS (continued) NEW HAMPSHIRE Dominican Sisters, Louisville , Newton Carmelite Nuns, Concord Cong. of Divine Providence Missionary Sisters of St. Columban , Pittsfield Brighton Sisters/Presentation of Mary, Manchester Glenmary Home Mission Sisters Missionary Sisters of the Society of Sisters of Mercy, Windham Owensboro Mary, Waltham Literary Society of St. Catherine of Monastery of St. Clare, Jamaica Plain, NEW JERSEY Sienna, St. Catherine School Sisters of Notre Dame, Boston Brothers of Christian Schools, Lincroft Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Sisters of the Assumption, Petersham Capuchin Franciscan , Union City Nazareth Sisters of the Assumption, Worchester Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual Passionist Nuns, Whitesville Sisters of St. Anne, Marie Esther Health , Union City Ursuline Sisters, Louisville Center, Marlborough Franciscan Sisters, Ringwood Sisters of Charity, Wellesley Hills Franciscan Servants of HIJ, Sisters of Charity of -St. Joseph North Plainfield Dominican Sisters, New Orleans Province, Lowell Missionary Society or Salesian Sisters of Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic, Sisters of Jesus Crucified, Brockton, St. John, North Haledon New Orleans Sisters of St. Chretienne, Wrentham Religious Teachers Filippini, Morristown Marianites of the Holy Cross Sisters of St. Joseph, Brighton Sisters of Christian Charity, Mendham New Orleans Sisters of Notre Dame deNamur, Sisters of St. Dominic, Caldwell Province of the Worchester Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, Grand Coteau Ursuline Sisters, Dedham Convent Station Abbey, Saint Benedict Sisters of Charity Mount Saint Andrew Sisters of the Holy Family, New Orleans MICHIGAN Villa, Paramus Sisters/Immaculate Conception, Sisters of St. Joseph, Nazareth Sisters of Immaculate Conception, Metairie Adrian Dominicans, Adrian Paterson Society of St. Teresa of Jesus Sisters of St. Dominic, Congregation of Sisters of Mercy, Plainfield Covington Most Holy Redeemer, Adrian Little Sisters of the Poor, Totowa Servants of Jesus, Berkley Sisters of Mercy, Watchung MAINE Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Mercy, Portland of Mary, Monroe NEW YORK Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Brothers of the Christian Schools, New Mary, Biddeford MINNESOTA York Mount St. Benedict Monastery, Carmelite Community, Beacon MARYLAND Crookston Congregation of Our Lady of Benedictine Sisters of School Sisters of Notre Dame, Mankato the , Lake Ronkonkoma Baltimore Cooperative Project Sisters of St. Benedict, St. Joseph Cong. of Notre Dame, Bronx Carmelite Sisters of Baltimore Benedictine Sisters, St. Paul , Islip Discalced of MD, La Plata Crosier Fathers and Brothers, Dominican Nuns/Perpetual Rosary, Benedictine Sisters, Ridgely St. Paul Buffalo Sisters of St. , Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Dominican Sisters, Newburgh Childs Little Falls Dominican Sisters/Our Lady of the Religious of Jesus and Mary, Hyattsville Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict, Rosary, Sparkhill Religious of Jesus and Mary, Mt. Rainier St. Joseph , Buffalo School Sisters of Notre Dame, Baltimore Franciscan Handmaids of Mary Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, MISSOURI New York Ellicott City Assumption Abbey, Ava Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sisters of Notre Dame deNamur, Conception Abbey, Conception Sacred Heart, Peekskill Stevensone Redemptoristine Nuns, Liguori Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Villa, Joint Retirement Convent The Sarah Community, Bridgeton Divine Child, New York & Williamsville Baltimore Sisters of St. Francis/Holy of Penance/Charity Independence Stella Niagara MASSACHUSETTS Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, Franciscan Sisters of the Carmelite Monastery, Boston O’Fallon Atonement, Garrison Congregation of the Sacred Hearts School Sisters of Notre Dame, St. Louis Little Sisters of Assumption, Walden Fairhaven Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Louis Little Sisters of the Poor, Bronx, Queens Contemplative Sisters/Good Shepherd, Sisters of Divine Providence, St. Louis Village, and Latham Springfield Society of the Sacred Heart, St. Louis Marianites - Marian Woods Dominican Sisters Congregation of St. Ursuline Sisters, Roman Union Central Hartsdale, NY Catherine of Siena, Fall River Province, Crystal City Missionary Sisters/Divine Child Dominican Sisters of the Presentation, Williamsville, New York Brighton NEBRASKA Order of St. Clare Monastery, Holy Union Sisters, Fall River Sisters of St. Francis, Alliance New Rochelle Little Sisters of the Poor, Somerville Notre Dame Sisters, Omaha Visitors of Mary Immaculate, Marist Missionary Sisters, Waltham Sisters of Mercy/Collaborative Project, Monroe Medical Missionaries of Mary Somerville Omaha Paulist Fathers, New York Servants of Mary, Omaha , Staten Island

Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon Great, Uniontown SOAR! NEWS SUMMER 2006 PAGE 5

NEW YORK (continued) Sisters of Notre Dame, Toledo Dominican Sisters of Fatima, Yauco Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Religious of the Sacred Heart, San Juan Religious of the SHM, Tarrytown Society of Jesus (Jesuits), Rio Piedras Religious of the Sacred Heart, Albany Sisters of the Visitation, Toledo School Sisters of Notre Dame, Caguas Sisters of Charity /St. Ursuline Sisters of Cincinnati, Cincinnati of New York, Bronx Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, Pepper Pike RHODE ISLAND Sisters of St. Francis, Hastings-on-Hudson Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, Canfield Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sisters of St. Francis, Syracuse Ursuline Sisters, St. Martin North Providence Sisters of St. Francis, Williamsville Ursuline of Toledo, Toledo Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Pascoag Sisters of St. John the Baptist, Bronx Little Sisters of the Poor, Pawtucket Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, Buffalo, Sisters of Mercy, Cumberland Rochester Carmelite Sisters of St. Therese of the Sisters of St. Dorothy, Sisters of St. Joseph of Franciscan of Infant Jesus, Atonement, Garrison Sisters of St. Benedict, Piedmont SOUTH DAKOTA Society Sisters of St. Joseph of Congregation of Benedictine Sisters, Sisters of St. Benedict, Watertown Carondelet, Latham Tulsa Sisters of Mercy, Albany, , TEXAS Buffalo, Dobbs Ferry, Hartsdale, Orchard OREGON Blessed Park, Rochester Sisters of the Holy Names, Marylhurst Sacrament, Amarillo Sisters of St. Mary of Namur Benedictine Sisters, Mount Congregation of Divine Providence Buffalo and Kenmore Sisters of St. Mary, Beaverton San Antonio Sisters, Good Shepherd, Garrison Sisters of St. Joseph, Marylhurst Dominican Sisters-Houston, Houston Sisters of the Presentation, Newburgh Daughters of Mary/HC, San Antonio Sister Servants of Mary, Bronx Hermanas Josefinas (Josephine Sisters) Sisters of St. Dominic, Newburgh Benedictine Sisters, St. Mary’s San Antonio Sisters of St. Dominic, Blauvelt Benedictine Sisters of Erie. Erie School Sisters of Notre Dame, Dallas Sisters of St. Joseph, Clarence Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Sisters of St. Mary de Namur, Fort Worth Sisters of the Presentation of BVM, Bethel Park Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, New Windsor Discalced Carmelite Sisters of the San Antonio Sisters of the Divine Compassion, Assumption, Latrobe Missionary Catechists, San Antonio White Plains Nuns of the SH, Yardley Society of St. Teresa of Jesus, Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Dix Hills Medical Mission Sisters, San Antonio Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Jamaica Missionary Sisters of the Most Blessed Sister Servants of Mary, Bronx , Philadelphia VERMONT Sisters of Third Franciscan Order, Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Sisters of Mercy, Burlington Syracuse Heart of Jesus, Reading Sisters of St. Joseph, Rutland Ursuline Nuns Roman Union Eastern Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Center Province, New Rochelle Valley VIRGINIA Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk, Jamaica Passionist Nuns, Clark’s Summit Holy Cross Abbey, Berryville Ursuline Provincilate, New Rochelle School Sisters of St. Francis, Sisters of Blessed Sacrament, Bensalem WASHINGTON NEVADA Sisters of Charity, Greensburg Sisters of the Holy Names, Spokane Carmel of Reno, Reno Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, Bellevue of , Pittsburgh NORTH DAKOTA Sisters of St. Francis of Millvale, WEST VIRGINIA Benedictine Sisters of the Pittsburgh Sisters of St. Joseph, Wheeling , Bismarck Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth Sisters of the Visitation, Wheeling Sisters of the Presentation/BVM, Fargo Philadelphia Benedictine Sisters, Richardton Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth WISCONSIN Sisters of St. Benedict, Belcourt Pittsburgh Benedictine Sisters, Eau Claire Sisters of St. Joseph, Baden , Baden Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Hudson OHIO Sisters of St. Joseph, Chestnut Hill Regis Convent and St. Priory, Colettine Poor Clare Nuns, Cleveland, Philadelphia Eau Claire Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Cleveland, Sisters of St. Joseph, Northwestern PA, Sisters of St. Francis of , Poor Clare Nuns of Perpetual Erie School Sisters of St. Francis, Milwaukee Adoration, Canton Sisters of Mercy, Erie School Sisters of Notre Dame, Elm Grove Sisters of St. Dominic, Akron Sisters of Mercy of Scranton, Dallas Sinsinawa Dominicans, Sinsinawa Sisters of Charity, Richfield Sisters of Cyril and Methodius, Sisters of St. Joseph, Stevens Point Sisters of St. Francis, Sylvania Danville Society of the Divine Savior, Milwaukee Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille, Sister Servants of IHM, Immaculata and Valley of Our Lady Monastery- Cincinnati Scranton Cistercian Nuns, Prairie du Sac Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity, Euclid Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the SOAR! NEWS SUMMER 2006 PAGE 6

A 20th Anniversary History Large and Small Contributions Have Made Bells are ringing at SOAR! (Support Our Aging a Difference Religious) as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary. Since the founding of SOAR!, many It is a time to recall our beginnings and growth. It former students, patients, employees of sisters, is a time to acknowledge in gratitude the lay brothers, and priests have leveraged their support leadership and generosity foundational to SOAR! for the women and men religious caught in the It is a time to look toward the future. web of a retirement crisis by making donations through the direct mail campaigns and supporting The Beginnings and Growth of SOAR! the annual gala dinners. Some have given one On May 19, 1986, John J. Fialka, a time; others are multiple givers. The power of reporter for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), raised the small gift was confirmed in a SOAR! analysis. the public’s consciousness to the “looming It showed that 80% of the money collected in a poverty of increasing numbers of Catholic nuns” year was contributed by people who gave less in a WSJ article, “U.S. Nuns Face Crisis as More than $50.00 in a year. Other donors have Grow Older.” Thousands of readers became contributed stocks or remembered SOAR! in aware of the 115,386 women religious in the their wills. the year before who were at a median age of 63 and burdened with an under Looking Toward the Future funded liability of $2.5 billion. Catholic religious congregations The retirement crisis was linked to years throughout the country and their sister of service with little or no compensation, no communities around the world continue to build retirement plans, an aging population in need of on their long histories of service. Many aged healthcare with increasing escalation of cost, and religious sisters, brothers, and priests remain a fewer younger members to help in the support of vibrant presence in education, and in a wide the aging communities. Many people were variety of healthcare and social services. Many surprised to learn that the did live their lives and use their resources to act in not support the sisters. solidarity with the economically poor of the world. When men and women religious are no Lay People Incorporate Support Our longer able to be in active ministry, but are able Aging Religious (SOAR!) to continue in a ministry, they make up a The retirement crisis within Catholic powerhouse of prayer in gratitude for their religious congregations moved a group of lay caregivers, benefactors, and for the needs of the people to organize themselves to help confront Church and world. the challenges embodied in the lives of the Over its 20 years history, SOAR! has women religious in this country. On August 19, raised more than $7 million for religious 1986, Support Our Aging Religious, Inc (SOAR!) congregations in need and the grant awards have was incorporated by the State of Maryland. Three helped to lessen their financial distress. This help lay people constituted the initial board of has freed religious men and women to be busy directors. Since the incorporation of SOAR! about the continuation of their missions and many lay people followed to help with the ministries. provision of goods and services for the financially SOAR! through the on-going leadership distressed congregations of men and women, to and stewardship of the boards of directors, staff, educate the public regarding the plight of and donors will continue to respond to the grant religious, and to participate in development requests of the religious congregations. efforts. SOAR! NEWS SUMMER 2006 PAGE 7

SOAR! Board of Directors

Past Board Members

Ellen Bennett Kathleen Smith Sr. M. Majella Berg, RSHN (dec.) Angela T. Spicer Andrea Hattler Bramson Brendan Sullivan Frances F. Butler William F. Terheyden Francis J. Butler Judi Lindsey Teske Reverend William J. Byron, S.J. Mark H. Tuohey, III Roseanne M. Casey (dec.) Monsignor Kenneth Velo William Cox Carol Wester Grace DiCairano Donald H. Williams James Dimond. Jr. John Erlenborn Rita A Hofbauer, Founding Director Rev. Msgr. Michael Farina Steve Leser, Founding Treasurer E. Michael Flanagan Patrick Weschler, Founding Secretary Peter C. Forster Denise Hattler Kathleen Hegenbart 2006 Board Members Thomas Hinton (dec.) Johnny Holliday Bernard J. Casey, Chair Most Rev. Howard J. Hubbard Jane Golden Belford, Vice Chair Mary Hughes Michael P. Fitzgerarld, Treasurer Sr. Carol Keehan, DC Julie Trocchio, Secretary Lawrence Korb Francis X. Lilly Reverend Robert A. Brown, OSFS Patrick V.Loughnane Kathryn P. Caballero Dennis M. Lucey Michael J. Caballero Patricia A. Mahoney Barbara Comstock Kathleen Matthews Sr. Maryanna Coyle, SC Jane McCarthy Joseph P. Delaney Rev. Msgr. Andrew J. McGowen William J. Ehrhardt Reverend William McInnes, S.J. Rev. Monsignor John J. Enzler Rayola McLaughlin Henry Ferrero Sandra Andreas McMurtrie John J. Fialka Thomas P. Melady William A Geoghegan Kathleen Nilles Marilyn Hennessy Edna Jane Nolte Raymond J. McGrath Patrick D. Powers M. Joan McKenna Kenneth Reinhard C. Miskovsky Eunice Riles John T. O’Rourke Grace M. Rinaldi Ilka S. Rodriguez-Diaz Richard Roesel H. Terrence Samway Otto Ruesch (dec.) Beth Veihmeyer K. Peter Schmidt (dec.) Arnold Simonse Most Reverend Edward Slattery Giving Thanks to the Laity

Donors consistently state that they give out of gratitude for what they have received from religious—everything from education to inspiration. The outreach of thousands of grateful laity has exemplified an overwhelming response to Christ’s Beatitudes. In their time of need, hundreds of religious congregations have benefited from the sacrifices and generosity of the children they have taught, the patients they have cared for, the many they have nourished with the Sacraments, and the distraught that they have comforted and counseled. All contributions have made a difference.

The Catholic religious congregations in 43 states and Puerto Rico that received grants are most grateful for the thousands of people who have contributed to SOAR’s direct mail campaigns and gala dinners. The $7.4 million raised have made more than 500 grant awards possible. Grants range from $2,000 to $25,000 and have helped to purchase such items as therapeutic equipment and electric beds; to renovate space to make it handicapped accessible; and to install sprinkler, nurse call, and security systems. th In this 20 Anniversary of SOAR!, it is a matter of great concern to members of religious congregations that all people who have contributed to SOAR! in anyway be aware of their grateful prayers for them. Contributors: Sr. Patricia Sullivan, RSM, Deborah SOAR News is published by Vornbrock, and Katrina Wilkins Support Our Aging Religious, Inc. Phone 301-589-9811/Fax 301-589-2482 Printed by Mays Mission Website www.soar-usa.org www.maysmission.org

1400 Spring Street Silver Spring, MD 20910