News From CCF-LA | August 18, 2020 |
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A Reflection on Vocations
By Fr. Rev. Samuel W. Ward,
Director of Vocations, ADLA
“You are the first priests of the pandemic generation.” So said Archbishop José H. Gomez at the Priesthood Ordination Mass on August 8 under a large tent on the Cathedral Plaza.
Yet despite the unique circumstances and setting, these new priests for our local Church are eager to begin their first parish assignments on September 1.
During the past few months, I have reflected often on the seminary formation and ordination of St. John Paul II. He and his classmates studied for the priesthood in the basement of the bishop’s house, undercover and hidden for fear of the Nazis during World War II. When Fr. Karol Wojtyla was ordained in 1946, a year after the end of the war, it was not in the glorious cathedral in Krakow but rather in the upstairs chapel of the bishop’s residence due to the new religious restrictions of Soviet Communism.
Pope John Paul II was undeterred in his priestly ministry despite the overwhelming challenges he faced as a seminarian and newly ordained priest. Our eight new priests will do more virtual rather than in-person ministry for the foreseeable future. But they will preach the same Gospel and celebrate the same sacraments that young Fr. Wojtyla preached and celebrated under very different but similarly restrictive circumstances.
Our world needs the Good News of Jesus Christ as much as ever. We rejoice that we have these new heralds of the Gospel for our times and for our local Church.
St. John Paul II, pray for them. Our Lady of the Angeles and Mother of Priests, pray for them. And for all of us.
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Ordinations in the Time of COVID-19
Could we have imagined last March just how much the pandemic would affect our Catholic Church? From the limited and often inability to celebrate sacramental life to the under-utilization of our churches and school buildings, this time in our lives will resound for future generations.
One bright spot was the ordination of eight priests on August 8 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. What an honor for Archbishop José H. Gomez to ordain these men who have been preparing their whole lives for this moment to serve God as Catholic priests. What a joy for their families and what a blessing for our Archdiocese to welcome our new priests.
The unusual ordination rite was limited to 100 on the Cathedral Plaza, a sacred event that usually fills the Cathedral with family, friends, priests, parishioners, and other invited guests. For those of us who remember when the Cathedral was built, the design and size were meant to focus on the Catholic rites that happen inside the building—baptisms, the eucharist, confirmations, marriages, Christian burials, ordinations—and be able to accommodate the faithful.
The Cathedral is the center of our Archdiocese, and this year only 100 could personally witness this rite. These 100 people represent the almost 4.5 million Catholics that know how much we need our priests for sacramental life for their guidance and comfort in times of need, for parish leadership, and to perpetuate our Archdiocese. Rejoice and be glad in these times of pandemic for our new priests!
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Kathy Anderson, President and Executive Director
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Market Results From CCF-LA |
We just reported July activity to our clients, which included $376 million in assets under management, the highest in our 5½-year operating history. Our philanthropy management business is thriving due to our clients, who generously give to their funds and because of continuing improvements in the financial markets. The Balanced Pool results for July were 3.7 percent (net of fees) and 3.77 percent (gross of fees), close to the benchmark of 3.75 percent. Our Intermediate Fund had a monthly return of 1.98 percent (net of fees), which was above the 1.76 percent benchmark. Managing charitable assets is our business and we rely on our Investment Committee, our adviser and our fund managers to guide the decisions we make on our strategy for each of the pooled funds we manage.
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What Constitutes a Vocation? |
CCF-LA talked with Sr. Anna Mercia, one of the most recent Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Los Angeles, about how you find—and listen to—your calling.
Q: What or who inspired you to seek religious life, and when did you first experience that calling?
A: For as long as I can remember—to when I was even only 3 years old—I wanted with all my heart to belong to Jesus. I had probably seen a religious sister or two in my life, but I still did not know what they did. I was deeply attracted, however, and knew, seemingly instinctively, that they belong entirely to Jesus. Yes. That’s what I want. So really it was the Lord who prompted the inspiration for me to seek out the religious life. This desire was, however, buried for about 13 years beneath the desire to get married and have a family. Again, it was Our Lord who reawakened the desire for the religious life within me. During my sophomore year of college, I was suddenly and wholly intensely drawn to seek Him alone. I certainly would not have said at the time that I was contemplating religious life, but, oh my, that was undoubtedly the desire.
Q: What advice do you have for others who may be considering a religious vocation?
A: RUN! Your joy will be complete! Make haste in seeking Him and in discovering His will for your life. Whatever His will, your joy will be full.
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CCF-LA Supports Our Church’s Tireless, Devoted Religious |
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Orders of religious women and men are the backbone of our Catholic history in the United States. CCF-LA is uniquely positioned to support these organizations with our Catholic values–based investing, responsive client services, and deep understanding of the Catholic philanthropic community.
We’re proud to support the work of these orders through a wide variety of funds that support their communities and their ongoing ministries. Click here to read more
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News From ADLA and Beyond |
Our prayers and hearts are with the people of Lebanon after the recent explosion in Beirut. CCF-LA treasures our partnership with the Maronite Catholic Church and the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon. Maronite Bishops A. Elias Zaidan and Gregory J. Mansour shared ways that we can all support Lebanon, and Bishop Zaidan shared a video message on the importance of prayer and support during this difficult time.
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Opportunity awaits.... We are hiring! |
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Administrative Assistant—This entry-level position will provide filing and data-entry support for our client services and operations team. Attention to detail is a must, with excellent organization skills. See full description.
Senior Client Relationship Manager—This member of the development team will steward and build relationships with high-net-worth clients and prospects. Major gifts and/or financial-services experience preferred. See full description.
Chief Financial Officer—This position leads the overall financial operations of the foundation with special attention to investments, banking, accounting/audit, and all contracted service providers. See full description.
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The Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles is committed to the prudent management of charitable investments to support the schools, parishes and ministries that help our neighborhoods thrive in faith. To join our mission to teach and sustain Catholic philanthropy, please contact our Client Development team at (213) 426-1187 or via email.
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