A Central Foundation Administering the Development of Multiple Ministries.
-
A Letter From the Executive Director.
As we approach Easter, it is always appropriate to direct our prayer and contemplation towards the topic of renewal. Jesus’ death and resurrection marked the beginning of a new covenant, a resetting of the rules as the burden of our sin was washed away by His sacrifice. The renewal He undertook touches all of our lives thousands of years later, by the grace we receive from God and by the grace that Christ taught us to share with each other. Through his overflowing grace, we can in our own small ways be agents of renewal in the lives of those around us. The Wyoming Catholic Ministries Foundation aims to share that grace and light of Christ’s love to every Catholic community in the state, and we are changing the rules of Catholic charity in order to achieve that goal.
The central and foundational relationship at WCMF is with our five priority organizations, standard-bearer ministries who have long served the faithful of Wyoming. This is where we begin to bring a new approach to our foundation. Because these organizations on their own cannot afford development staff of their own, we offer them our entire team of development professionals to help them achieve their ministerial and financial goals, raising money and awareness, developing campaigns, and helping them with whatever they need to continue spreading the Word and light of Christ in their communities.Our position as a central foundation administering the development of multiple ministries also allows us the unique opportunity to offer flexible fundraising options for our donors. Donors can give contributions specifically earmarked for campaigns and charities that they care dearly for, or they can give more generally to the WCMF fund which gives out large amounts of funds each year through our grant proposal process, supporting the religious, charitable, ministerial, and educational programs of the Roman Catholic Church in the State of Wyoming including numerous Catholic entities with specific needs not covered by our five flagship entities.
Sincerely,
Another way that WCMF is bringing a fresh new light to Catholic fundraising is the opportunity for donors to utilize our pooled investment program, giving peace of mind with tax-smart investment vehicles that produce maximum benefit while making Catholic dollars go farther in serving our institutions and communities. All our investments are made in high-performing sectors with business ethics in line with our faith and beliefs. Between these different financial streams and opportunities for giving, we are providing faithful Catholics of all means and priorities a way to invest in the short, medium, and long-term health of the Wyoming Catholic Church.
Our focus this month, and an important component of the long-term health of our diocese, is the St. Joseph Society, which provides much-needed financial assistance for retired and disabled clergy. Our priests form the backbone of our Catholic experience, providing wisdom and guidance, sharing in our grief and joy, and of course performing the holy sacraments that define and enable our spiritual communion with God. As our priests get older, it is our calling to serve those who have so selflessly served us, helping to assist them as their medical and financial needs grow through retirement. Maintaining the good health of our elder priests is also crucial as we welcome a new generation of men called to the vocation, who need mentorship and guidance as they embark on their ecclesiastical journey.
Starting in June, we will be launching a Summer Appeal for St. Joseph’s Society, with a fundraising goal of $50,000. More information will be made available in the coming months, but if you feel called to contribute, you can do so now HERE. As always, you can explore the many opportunities for giving at wycmf.org and learn more about our organization and the people behind it. With the prayerful assistance of donors like you, we can follow Christ’s teachings and example, transforming and renewing our Church and our spiritual community! I hope you have a blessed Easter season filled with the love of Christ.
Margaret Slawin,
Executive Director
