News From CCF-LA | May 20, 2022
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The month of May – it’s time to celebrate the women in our lives!
May is the month we set aside a Sunday for Mother’s Day and a Catholic school celebration for Mary. I propose that it is also the month we want to celebrate all the important women in our lives!
Mary’s example of motherhood has been followed for centuries by women because she exemplified unwavering love for her child, the ability to forgive, and was the heart of the home she made with her husband, child Jesus, and her mother, Anne. Mothers today continue to be the spark that keeps the family connected, especially as children move away and begin their own families. These mothers then easily step into the role of grandmother and great grandmother in some cases.
Let’s remember the aunts, favorite teachers, girlfriends, health care workers, a mentor at work, and the nuns that made a difference in our lives. This is the month to send a card or a note of gratitude.
For me, it will be the 10th anniversary of the loss of my mother, Ruth, who kept her six children connected, worked in our family funeral home, attended mass every Sunday and daily during Lent, participated in the lives of her grandchildren, and welcomed a few great grandchildren into the family. I will also remember the Presentation Sisters from elementary school and the Notre Dame sisters from high school that shaped the education and values I have today. And, a teacher, Pat, made a big difference by encouraging me to be a volunteer in the early days of Project Head Start.
May is the month of gratitude for the women who have shaped our families, our communities, and our world!
-Kathy H. Anderson,
President and Executive Director
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Women Religious Are Spiritual Mothers
Superior General of the Carmelite Sisters
of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles
Another perspective of beauty in this month of May is to allow space for the wonder of new life. It is a great time for women to consider the abundance of blessings that have come to them through the dignity of their motherhood. Whether they are physical mothers or spiritual mothers, the children that they love and serve bless them beyond their imagination!
As Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles, we have so many stories of being blessed by our spiritual children. Our Sisters have the privilege of accompanying others through all stages of life: children and teenagers in the schools in which we serve, young adults and adults through our retreats and elders in our homes built especially for them.
In the past two years the sisters amazingly found ways to accompany like never before:
During the school year in lock down, none of the special celebrations stopped. Instead, the All Saints Party, Christmas Play, May Crownings and Family Nights happened right in the family home. We were deeply moved to be with these families as they entered into the joy of these special moments in the midst of such trying times.
Our retreats didn’t stop. Instead the sisters created an online platform to host retreats! The biggest challenge was creating a schedule that fit time zones of every continent except Antarctica (this is not an exaggeration!). The Sisters were inspired by the hope and courage of so many seeking Christ as The answer to the unknown.
Our sisters created small communities so as to live and serve on the same premise as our elders in independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing. Our healthcare co-workers and sisters daily experienced how The Great Generation knows how to live life with such dignity and strength!
How are you blessed by those whom you love and serve? I hope you create that space to marvel at the gifts in abundance given to you this month…
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Teaching Philanthropy is a Family Affair
Working in our Family Office is a privilege to support multigenerational philanthropy. Our Family Office focuses on teaching the philanthropic legacies to the next generations and we find the most joy in seeing those teachings in action. We recently reviewed the wonderful grant recipients from our Family Office clients – and a very exciting aspect of those grants were that many were recommended by our “next generation” clients! It continues to be a fulfilling experience to watch these clients discover causes they are passionate about and then learn how to support and make an impact in those causes.
-Kara Duncan
Sr. Manager of Client Relations
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A Balanced Pool Helps Ease the Pain in Down Markets
The global equity market sell-off continued in April due to tighter monetary policy, geopolitical tensions, and a lockdown in China. Persistent inflationary pressures prompted the Federal Reserve into a more aggressive path of interest rate hikes while global supply chain shortages were exacerbated by a resurgence of COVID in China. The S&P 500 Index fell 8.72% in April -- its largest monthly decline since March 2020, pushing year-to-date losses to 12.92%. The MSCI EAFE Index fell 6.47% and 12.00% for April and year-to-date, respectively, and bond yields continued to rise in April following the Fed’s more hawkish policy stance, resulting in further negative returns. The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index declined 3.79% for the month of April and is down 9.50% year-to-date.
As for the pooled funds we manage, the Balanced Pool portfolio returned -6.57% in April and -11.97% for the first four months of 2022. The Intermediate Fund pool returned -2.97% for the month and -5.96% for the year. The current yields on the STIF and Cash accounts remain at 0.02% - 0.05%.
Our Investment Committee met May 4 and our Board met May 11, assuring you that the performance of the financial markets was a primary focus at each meeting. Based on the advice from our committee, our advisor and various fund managers, we are continuing to have the long vision for the pooled funds, carefully monitoring the performance of each manager. Balance is important - the periodic table indicates how quickly asset types come in and out of favor.
-Andrew O'Boyle
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
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Featured Beneficiary and Social Services - Women Inspired Funds
To learn more about each, click below:
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NDA Scholarship Benefit April 17, 2022
Notre Dame Academy’s Making a Difference Scholarship Benefit on April 17 at the Skirball Cultural Center raised funds to support the commitment of Notre Dame Academy to provide a Catholic education to young women from all socio-economic backgrounds. Graduating student Maria Ruiz-S. shared her journey through Notre Dame Academy with the support of tuition assistance. Maria was happy to announce that she was awarded the merit based, Trustee Scholarship at the University of Southern California to attend the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences as a Law, History & Culture major. Accomplished alumna, Bonnie Abaunza, encouraged fellow alumnae and donors to support tuition assistance so all young women have the opportunity to receive a Catholic education regardless of ability to pay. Bonnie personally offers a scholarship in honor of her mother and encouraged others to do the same. Student performers entertained by singing their alma mater song. The evening was filled with joy as students, alumni, Sisters of Notre Dame, staff and supporters came together in person to support Notre Dame Academy.
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Molly’s Coffee May 2, 2022
Monday morning, May 2, could not have been brighter at Molly Laing’s home in Manhattan Beach. Along with the pastor of American Martyrs Church, Monsignor Barry, and CCF-LA Board member, John Smet, philanthropic minded parishioners came together and learned about giving through Catholic Community Foundation – Los Angeles.
Our informal get together and brunch offered an opportunity to introduce ourselves and explain how CCF-LA is not in the business of raising money, but rather, facilitating giving. Our presentation emphasized that CCF-LA is interested in learning about YOU and helping refine your personal and family philanthropic goals, and identify the tools we have to help you get there.
Our goal is to continue to offer these informal get togethers throughout Southern California. In addition to introducing ourselves and explaining what we are about, we find that that these outreach opportunities offer an opportunity for leaders within our Catholic communities to discuss important topics such as the challenges our Catholic schools are facing and current and future initiatives to support them. A special thank you to Molly Laing for hosting such a special event. If any of you are interested in hosting one, please let us know!
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The Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles empowers charitable individuals and organizations across cultures and generations through professional philanthropy management solutions that allow clients to develop and sustain their philanthropy in support of Catholic values.
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