Spring 2012 Newsletter - Catholic Community Foundation

Creating Abundancew i t h V i s i o n a r y G e n e r o s i t yThis year marks the inaugural presentation of the Alberta FarringtonChristian Service Award (CSA) to an eighth grade student,Miss McKenna Cassidy, who will attend Xavier College Preparatory.The award, made possible by Mrs. Geri Cavanagh, is anexpression of her and her late husband Harry’s unwavering beliefin Catholic education and their philanthropic commitment tofoster its success.A longtime Arizona resident, Geri is an outdoor enthusiast,playing golf and riding her horses, Touché and Annie. She isequally enthusiastic about supporting young Catholic students asthey grow in faith and take their place in society. As Geri says, “It’svery important to support Catholic education so today’s youth candiscover more about their faith, develop a sense of community, andstrengthen their self worth in volunteer service.” Geri and McKennarecently had the opportunity to meet at a Foundation event.Geri got to know McKenna and her family and then was warmlygreeted by another student who recognized the Farrington nameand thanked her for supporting the Seton Catholic High SchoolTheatre. Geri’s grandson attends Seton and when the school askedfor support, she gave it.Clearly, Geri’s philanthropy has reached into many ministriesand special causes. She and Harry, who passed away in late 2007,believed not only in Catholic education, but also realized thattoday’s youth are tomorrow’s Church leaders. Where better toexplore a calling to the priesthood or religious life than in Catholichigh school? As an extension of this interest and her particularconcern about women religious, Geri supports the Poor Clares,the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, theLittle Sisters of the Poor, and the Sisters of St. Benedict.A parishioner at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Phoenix,Geri continues to assist with building and maintenance costs;she recently helped to upgrade the parish kitchen and re-pave theparking lot. As a longtime Foundation friend, Geri has always beena strong supporter of the Crozier Gala. She notesthat “I usually just donate and don’t restrict my gifts;the Foundation is a great complement to the dioceseand funds raised at the Crozier Gala do so muchgood all year long.”For this philanthropist, giving to the Churchshe loves is a natural extension of her Catholiccall to service. But it just may be that the ChristianService Awards have captured Geri’s heart, asshe says, “Getting to meet all those young peoplewas wonderful—it spurred me on to sponsor anotheraward. And I intend to keep my support rolling,both now and in my estate planning.”Catholic stewardship like Geri’s is a cornerstoneof creating future abundance; her giving transcends theimmediate and looks forward to helping a new generation.It’s very important to support Catholic education sotoday’s youth can discover more about their faith,develop a sense of community, and strengthen theirself worth in volunteer service.{ 4 }