Dear Friends,
Every day I try to pause and reflect on the many acts of generosity and kindness I witness in my personal life, and in my role as president of CCF. In doing so, I’m reminded that even in times when life feels heavy, God’s love and mercy are ever-present.
For more than 30 years, CCF has had the privilege to accompany individuals and families as they strive to be the light of Christ in the world, passing on to others some of the blessings they’ve received. Over time, it has become apparent that these acts of love and generosity share a beautiful similarity: they are learned at home.
The Second Vatican Council refers to the family as the “Ecclesia Domestica” or the Domestic Church. It is in family life that parents model for their children a commitment to community and a desire to look beyond one’s individual needs. From their parents’ examples, children learn to sacrifice and trust — and to love beyond what seems possible.
Our donors continually plant and nurture seeds of love and charity within their families. St. John Paul II considers this faith in action, saying, “The family has the mission to guard, reveal, and communicate love, and this is a living reflection of and a real sharing in God’s love for humanity.”
You will see this call exemplified throughout this newsletter.
Dan and Teresa Burns’s family philanthropy demonstrates how living out Catholic values and showing charity to others is possible even at a very young age.
Rob and Jodi Heinzen’s story highlights the fruits of leading by example, as their spirit of generosity inspired two of their sons to establish funds with CCF.
We all can inspire the philanthropists of tomorrow. Don’t miss our tips for creating a legacy of generosity by instilling a charitable mindset in your children and grandchildren.
This springtime, as buds sprout and grass grows green around us, remember that, with God, hope is blossoming in our world — and it often begins within the walls of our homes.
With gratitude,
Anne Cullen Miller, MBA
President