FADICA News

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a national Catholic organization that has served people in poverty for over 170 years in the United States. Steeped in the Vincentian charism and an ethos of innovation, the Society serves in 4,400 parishes across the country with 95,000 lay Vincentian volunteers and operates 450 thrift stores. It practices a person-centered approach through programs such as home visits and spiritual development for volunteers, while also utilizing systemic change approaches such as the Bridges out of Poverty and new re-entry initiatives. When Dave Barringer became CEO of the Society’s National Council in 2013, he was attracted to the Society’s unique fusion of tradition and social enterprise, where he felt his faith intersected with his business background and skills—and where he could practice his deeply held values of a personal, local, and faith-based approach in a national setting. In our interview with Dave, we asked him how the Society achieves this balance and to share with us other elements that make the Society unique.  On faith and Vincentian charism FADICA: What is your personal story of how you became involved with the Society? And why did you choose this as your work? Dave Barringer: I found the position of National Council CEO really interesting—it is an intersection of my faith and my business and nonprofit background. In talking about it with my family, I realized the Society is a culture in which I wanted to be, even though the position was in St. Louis and we lived in Washington, DC. It reinforces what I had already thinking about regarding

FADICA held its largest Annual Meeting and Symposium February 9 -11, bringing together over 100 FADICA members representing more than 35 foundations  in Santa Monica, Cali. in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the most diverse archdiocese in the country. Nationally recognized speakers from around the country engaged members through presentations, rich conversations, and innovative models in the fields of homelessness, Catholic education, immigration, human trafficking, and the next generation of Catholic philanthropy. Archbishop José Gómez welcomed and blessed FADICA members and provided a special session on the V Encuentro, which will create 20,000 new pastoral leaders as it discerns best responses to help the Hispanic Latino presence in the U.S. Church. Rev. Gregory J. Boyle, S.J. delivered an inspiring spiritual reflection on his life experience as founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. Rosanne Haggerty of Community Solutions and Tiziana Dearing of Boston College’s Center for Social Innovation led a thought-provoking discussion on innovative strategies to end homelessness. FADICA Member Roma Downey of LightWorkers Media, Noel Diáz of El Sembrador Ministries, and Matt Meeks of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles inspired members with stories of their Catholic media vocation and visions for Catholic media. FADICA celebrated three Catholic philanthropists by honoring Kathleen McCarthy Kostlan, Robert Smith, and Sr. Sally Duffy, SC for their exemplary contributions to the Church.

FADICA kicked-off its 40th anniversary and a year of programming at its 40th Annual Membership Meeting and Symposium in Coral Gables, FL on January 27th.  Top-notch speakers, networking, prayer, and stimulating discussions illuminated our theme, “Helping Goodness Spread”, and connected us to each other and innovative leaders and models. Highlights of the symposium included: Remarks by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, recipient of this year’s Distinguished Catholic Leadership Award Motoring through the Models: Innovation for Impact in Catholic Schools – a round robin session with four groups of presenters on the topics of Governance, Blended Learning, Advocacy/School Choice and Funders’ Collaborative & Data Transparency A Dialogue between Sr. Mary Johnson, SND, Ph.D. of Trinity Washington University, Kathleen Sprows Cummings of the University of Notre Dame, and Sr. Julie Vieira, IHM of “A Nun’s Life Ministry” on the recent report, Understanding U.S. Catholic Sisters Today The Opening Address on Social Innovation in Catholic Philanthropy by Susan Raymond, Ph.D. of Changing Our World Honoring four Board Members for their combined 55 years of service to FADICA as they transition to the Emeritus Board (B.J. Cassin, Thomas Healey, Maureen O’Leary and Michael Rauenhorst) Poignant Mission Moments shared by members on the significance of the FADICA mission and experiences over the past 40 years A transcription of both the speakers’ presentations and the members’ mission moments will be published as proceedings and made available in the late spring.

Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA) released the report Understanding U.S. Catholic Sisters Today on December 9, 2015.  The report is a comprehensive look at the latest sociological studies of U.S. Catholic sisters and presents new findings that Catholic sisters are hopeful about their future, unified amidst diversity, and attracted by joy to consecrated life. The report comes during the Year of Consecrated Life, in which Pope Francis called on religious to look to the past with gratitude; to live the present with passion; and to embrace the future with hope. The report concludes that this outlook has already taken root among American Catholic sisters. The report finds that 1,200 women are currently in formation to become Catholic sisters and that more than 250,000 millennial Catholic never-married women have considered a vocation to consecrated life. One of the barriers for women interested in consecrated life is educational debt— one in three women applying for admission into a religious community owe an average of $21,000 in student loans. Among newly professed sisters, the report finds higher levels of education (70 percent have bachelor degrees) and greater diversity (17% Hispanic/Latino; 16% Asian/Pacific Islander; 8% African-American/Black/African). These statistics and others found in the report challenge stereotypes and point to the vitality of women’s religious life. To download the report or find resources to support, engage, or become a sister, visit wearesisters.net. For any questions, please contact Lauren Traskey, Associate Director of Communications, at 202-223-3550 or ltraskey@fadica.org. ### For 40 years, FADICA has served as a dynamic and

FADICA joins in prayer for the Synod on the Family, which is taking place at the Vatican from Oct 4th to October 25th.  At the first official session, Pope Francis emphasized the church must be “a ‘field hospital’ with doors wide open to whoever knocks in search of help and support; to reach out to others with true love, to walk with our fellow men and women who suffer, to include them and guide them to the wellspring of salvation. ” He also urged an interpretation of “reality with the eyes of faith and the heart of God.” Coverage from multiple sources, including Catholic News Service, Crux, National Catholic Register, National Catholic Reporter and more will offer regular updates on the Synod of Bishops. 

FADICA President Alexia Kelley welcomes Pope Francis to the U.S., on behalf of the FADICA Board of Directors and its members. In sharing her enthusiasm about his visit, she said, “I pray that Pope Francis’ historic visit will touch hearts and minds, so that the gospel will take root, where the poor and vulnerable shall be first, and the care for human dignity and God’s creation is central.” Read more at Ms. Kelley’s blog: Pope Francis Will Ignite Catholic Philanthropy In addition to the main TV networks, here are a few ways that you can follow the Pope’s visit: USCCB will be live streaming coverage of all of Pope Francis’ events while in the U.S. Follow him from the perspective of the archdioceses of Washington, New York, and Philadelphia. Follow updates on Twitter: #PopeinUS  #PopeinDC  @NY_arch  or @wmf2015 Stay updated on commentary and news in the Catholic media, including  America Magazine, Catholic News Service, Crux, EWTN, and National Catholic Reporter. 

FADICA Member SC Ministry Foundation in partnership with BoardSource will offer two free upcoming webinars, Pivotal Points: The Board’s Role in Leadership Transitions, on May 8, and The Board’s Role in Fundraising, on June 2. Learn more about their previous webinar on The Board Building Cycle with the webinar recording, handouts and slides.

FADICA joins in celebrating the 2nd anniversary of the election of Pope Francis on March 13. We offer our prayers for Pope Francis and his leadership as he continues to inspire Catholics and non-Catholics alike. A recent Pew survey revealed that the Pope’s popularity continues to grow in the U.S.

Since his election a year ago today, Pope Francis’ message of hope and compassion has strongly resonated with Catholics and non-Catholics alike. In order to understand the impact of Pope Francis on current and future Catholic giving to the Church and related activities, Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA) commissioned a nationwide survey of 1,003 Catholic adults. Additional financial support for the survey was provided by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of National Collections. “It is clear that Pope Francis and his message of mercy and joy, and a special concern for the poor, are inspiring U.S. Catholics in their giving,” said Alexia Kelley, President of FADICA, a nonprofit member association that works to strengthen and promote Catholic philanthropy. “These results also show that Hispanic Catholics, in particular, are moved by Pope Francis with respect to their giving,” said Kelley. Findings from the FADICA survey conducted by Zogby Analytics: One in four (24%) U.S. Catholics have increased their giving from last year.  Of those who have increased their giving in the past year, 77% say Pope Francis has inspired their giving; including 42% who say the Pope has had a significant impact on their giving.  Half (50%) say they are motivated to help others because of the Pope’s message of compassion to the poor. The FADICA survey indicates that Catholic giving practices will continue to grow in the near future. More than two in five (44%) Catholics say that Pope Francis’ message of hope, love, and charity will inspire them to give more

FADICA joins Catholics around the world in celebrating the canonization of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II.  This unique ceremony, held on April 27th, marked a historic moment for the Catholic Church and the first time two popes have been canonized simultaneously.  We join in celebrating this holy and joyful moment, the canonization of two beloved popes, in the history of the Church.  To read Pope Francis’ remarks and other information about the canonization, visit the Vatican’s dedicated page.  You can also watch the Vatican video of the liturgy, that has been translated into English.