Dear Friends,
The apostle John wrote,
“The way we came to know love was that [Jesus] laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:16–18)
The daily news cycle can make it seem that compassion and neighborly love are bygone ideas when most stories seem to focus on fighting, conflict, and devastation. But as president of the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota (CCF), I have the honor each day of witnessing love in action.
I see it in the little ways the CCF staff goes the extra mile to compassionately serve our donors, partners, and grantees. And I see it each week as we gather to pray for our community — both as a collective and for individuals by name.
And I see love in action in the diverse ways our donors, partners, and grantees serve others. With an enormous spirit of generosity and a deep desire to extend their Catholic values, they positively impact our community every day.
Like Jackie Gibney, who hopes her service and philanthropy can inspire university students to use their hearts in service of the community. And like the coalition of funders and experts behind the Drexel Mission Schools Initiative, which aims to meet the unique needs of low-income students of color— in and out of school.
These are not stories of love expressed in a simple word or passing comment. These are stories of love in deed and truth.
I encourage you to look this week for more examples of love in action. You may be surprised at how many people choose love.
Sincerely,
Anne Cullen Miller, MBA
President