Taking the Highway

On the Road across the wide open spaces of Eastern Montana

Members of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church welcomed Judy’s explanation of the many possibilities the Foundation has for us to protect our dollars, but yet also to be able to give back to our church.
– Wanda Pinnow, Parish Council Chair, St. John the Evangelist – Baker

by Judy Held, Foundation President

We live in a huge diocese! As the saying goes nowadays, “Thank you, Captain Obvious.”

We Catholics know we have a large family spread across many miles, but that fact was front and center for me last week. Fortunately (and with much gratitude), I was invited to make presentations about the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Montana at three parishes in three different communities over the course of three days. They were all a good distance from Great Falls, where the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Montana is based, so I headed out of town for some blessed “windshield time”.

Here are a few observations from my trip to Immaculate Conception Parish in Wolf Point, St. Anthony Parish in Culbertson, and St. John the Evangelist Parish in Baker:
• Catholics in our diocese are very friendly and exceedingly kind
• People seemed genuinely glad to learn the difference between the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Montana and the Diocese (different and separate nonprofit organizations)
• Many were surprised to learn their parishes were the sole beneficiaries of permanent endowment funds at the Catholic Foundation — and that this meant security for their future
• Some great questions about “planned giving” were asked, so that tells me people are thoughtful and deliberate about their plans to support the Church, beyond their offertory giving
• It’s very easy to pray and praise God when you have hours to travel through the natural beauty of eastern Montana

I’d like to issue a very big “Thank You” to all in Wolf Point, Culbertson, and Baker who came out to listen to the presentations and welcome me to their communities! I hope to visit more parishes in coming months and years and meet many of my fellow Catholics who care deeply about the future of the Catholic faith in our diocese.

To have Judy visit your parish community, or to request an individual meeting or ask a question, please contact her at:
Judy Held, President
Catholic Foundation of Eastern Montana
PO Box 1345
Great Falls, MT 59403
(406) 315-1765
judy@catholicfoundationmt.org
catholicfoundationmt.org