UNITING. PROCLAIMING. TRANSFORMING. TOGETHER in Christ 2014 ANNUAL REPORT UNITING. PROCLAIMING. TRANSFORMING. The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland The Diocese of Cleveland is committed The Catholic Community Foundation is is a community of nearly 700,000 to the values of faith, dignity, an independent non-profit organization Catholics throughout eight counties stewardship, truth and justice and established in year 2000 to support the of Northeast Ohio. to continue the mission of Jesus to mission of the Diocese of Cleveland by transform the world. fostering faith-based stewardship in the community for the spiritual, educational and charitable needs of all. This joy is a sign that the Gospel has been proclaimed and “ is bearing fruit. Yet the drive to go forth and give, to go out from ourselves, to keep pressing forward in our sowing of the good seed, remains ever present.” 2 – POPE FRANCIS, THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL DEAR FRIENDS, Over the past several years, we have witnessed the Catholic community come together with a shared sense of purpose to “ And whatever you do in word strengthen the Church’s presence and bring Christ’s message of mercy and hope to all people of Northeast Ohio. Our impact has been great. As Saint Paul tells us, when we are together in Christ, we “put on a heart of compassion, kindness, or in deed, do everything in humility, gentleness and justice, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” (Col. 3:12). Wrapped with love, those virtues make all the difference. the name of the Lord Jesus, Many impactful initiatives were funded during 2014. You will find those stories and numbers within this report. Our entire giving thanks to God the Father region has truly benefited from the Catholic Community Foundation and its ability to provide careful stewardship as they steadily increase the level of permanent philanthropy. This success is due to many people, including the Foundation staff and board members, whose judgment and dedication help steer the course. through him.” —COL. 3:17 Ultimately, however, credit belongs to the people of our diocese and the faithful donors listed in this Annual Report. They are coming together in Christ to share spiritual and financial resources at this pivotal moment in history – a time of great forward movement – to assure a vibrant Church for future generations of Catholics. Together, we joyfully give thanks to God for His goodness which we are experiencing now in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Sincerely yours in Christ, 3 Bishop of Cleveland Michael Shaughnessy Board Chair Catholic Community Foundation TOGETHER IN CHRIST CATHOLIC CHARITIES Giving with love and inspiring hope U.S. Census data released in September 2014 revealed that the gap between the wealthy and poor continues to increase. One fifth of the people in Ohio’s big cities live in poverty, with many unable to meet their basic needs of food, housing, healthcare and jobs. Catholic Charities calls upon the entire Church and other people of goodwill to help people in need. Supporting Catholic Charities supports people in Northeast Ohio. Eighty-six cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the programs and services of Catholic Charities – programs and services that provide help and create hope. “I want my children to grow to be kind, to be open to people “Just knowing the far-reaching impact of Catholic Charities on who are different, and to realize that we can give to each other,” Northeast Ohio and what they are able to do for others is says Meredith Manning in describing her dreams for her inspiring,” says Joe, who has recently become a Catholic children. She and her husband, Joe, strive to set a good Charities board member. “The organization has so many facets example, not unlike the witness of their own parents, by that touch different types of individuals, from emergency volunteering through the Church and supporting Catholic assistance for people who need shelter or food, to programs Charities. for those who have substance abuse and mental health issues, as well as helping refugees settle in the U.S.” Both Joe and Meredith credit their parents’ example, their Catholic education, and early volunteer experiences as their Although the Manning’s wish to pass on a spirit of generosity to inspiration for helping others. Joe can barely remember a time their children, they also hope to impart their commitment to a when he wasn’t participating in parish life while growing up at ministry of presence – that is, taking the time to be with the St. John Vianney Parish in Mentor. He continues to be actively communities they support. Meredith explains, “No matter your involved at his home parish of St. Dominic in Shaker Heights. background, where you are from, or what you are doing now, Meredith remembers accompanying her parents as a young we are all united. Everyone deserves to be happy and we child to serve meals to the needy, an experience that would call should all reach out to help.” her to continue that work. She, too, volunteers in her parish and in other service opportunities. 4 “Just knowing the far-reaching impact of Catholic Charities on Northeast Ohio and what they are able to do for others is inspiring.” — JOE MANNING 5 Joe and Meredith Manning with their children, Samuel and Louis. $11.5 MILLION RAISED BY THE 2014 CATHOLIC CHARITIES ANNUAL APPEAL 150+ PROGRAMS AND SERVICES 3,764,826 NUTRITIOUS MEALS SERVED* 61,729 NIGHTS OF SHELTER PROVIDED* 23,836 OLDER ADULTS SERVED 43,918 INDIVIDUALS WITH 6 DISABILITIES HELPED * In partnership with the Catholic Hunger and Shelter Photo provided by Steve Liss, AmericanPoverty.org Network, our parishes and community-based programs. TOGETHER IN CHRIST CATHOLIC CHARITIES Together, we help people in need change their lives and community ALL BELONG TO YOU, AND YOU TO CHRIST, AND CHRIST TO GOD. – 1 COR. 3:23 UNITING TRANSFORMING In 2014, over 50,000 faithful donors across Northeast Ohio Catholic Charities Family Centers serve urban neighborhoods pledged $11.5 million to provide services and programs for the by providing supportive services and resources to keep families most vulnerable people in the region. This generous response whole. In the Cleveland Glenville/Forest Hill area, a community to the 2014 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal represents a marked by economic and social decline, the St. Martin de nearly $1 million increase from the previous year helping to Porres Family Center is making a difference for many people, move even more of our brothers and sisters in Christ from lives including one young mother and her children. of despair to self-sufficiency. Abigail was homeless, sometimes staying with a relative whose PROCLAIMING small apartment did not have beds for her two children, nor the Catholic Charities continues Jesus’ healing mission on earth room for them to play, explore and grow. When her one-year by caring for people who are hurting: those who are hungry, old son was experiencing development delays in walking, homeless, without employment, facing addictions, elderly and Abigail was referred to the St. Martin de Porres Family Center. alone, and those with mental and physical disabilities. In all The staff was able to assist the family by finding a stable home eight counties of the Diocese, Catholic Charities proclaims the and a bed for each child through the resources of Catholic dignity of every person by providing help and creating hope for Charities and area parishes. the needy, regardless of race or creed. Under the guidance of a case worker and the Help Me Grow program, Abigail worked diligently to help her son learn to walk. Eventually the toddler took his first steps while Abigail took her own steps toward independence. 7 TOGETHER IN CHRIST LEGACY GIVING Ensuring the future of our Catholic faith Leaving a legacy gift allows people to provide for their families while choosing to support diocesan ministries that are important to them. The Catholic Community Foundation offers a number of legacy gift opportunities to people of all incomes and with varying objectives. Many times people are able to leave gifts much greater than they ever thought possible – gifts that will have a lasting impact on our faith and our community. Steve and Lynda Newland are explorers at heart. As the Newlands considered these treasures and They’ve climbed Mt. Everest. They’ve visited 79 prepared their will, they thought carefully about who countries and most of the United States. And, on should benefit from their estate. They decided to leave March 6, 2011 they embarked on the adventure of a their entire estate to the Catholic Diocese of lifetime as Steve converted to Catholicism. The couple Cleveland, specifically naming four areas: their parish, had only been married a few years when Steve was Catholic Charities, the religious retirement fund, and inspired by his wife’s Catholic devotion and wanted to priestly formation. “God has always taken care of us. share more deeply in the faith he had come to admire. We have been blessed with good lives, health and “Being with Lynda at Mass and hearing the priest’s jobs. Leaving our estate to the Church is like giving sermons made us even closer,” says Steve. back,” says Lynda. “What we have is from God and “Becoming a Catholic gave meaning to my life and put when we are gone our possessions will go to help things into perspective.” others. It is our way of doing what the Bible says we are supposed to do. “ Their parish priest in England made a big impression on Steve as he prepared him to receive the Lynda continues, “We like to think that we are just sacraments.