February 2012: Donor of the Month

Donor of the Month – Karen Gargan

“I was kind of a ‘roamin’ Catholic’”, says Karen Gargan in describing her young adult life when she was trying to find a church that was the right fit. Karen and her husband Kevin live in the suburbs southwest of Denver and eventually settled in at St. Mary’s in Littleton. There is a healthy Endow presence in that parish and the solid catechetical instruction is something Karen appreciates.

She has been facilitating an Endow group for a couple of years now. “I enjoy Endow,” says Karen. “It’s like you build your own little community of believers. You know who they are and where they stand.” She says she gains strength and encouragement from her group. “I’ve always been one to search for more information. I like to think about what we Catholics believe and why.”

Her group met on a recent night and happily, someone who had been away was able to come back for one night. They were all so glad to see each other. “We had hors d’oeurves and a potluck dinner,” said Karen, and they were reminded of why they got together in the first place.

To some extent, the women in Karen’s group carry on a tradition that was part of her experience growing up. “My mother instilled in me the basics: praying in the car on the way to school, saying the Angelus. They are little things that plant the seeds of faith.” With her Endow friends, that praying together and sharing faith is more important than ever.

Karen says that for her and husband Kevin, a strong faith life is a big part of their marriage. As committed Catholics, they are happy to support the Church. She understands it as a mandate that all Catholics help in all ways – including financial – to advance the work of the new evangelization. Karen shares that she is impressed by the work Endow’s Executive Director Terry Polakovic is doing. “Endow has made so much possible; it touched my heart and changed my life. I love the friendship, the fellowship.”

More than once, Karen mentioned that giving is “part of who I am.” Like most Endow donors, she shies from receiving kudos and frames her giving as simply a natural response to a stated need. “It’s important to support these efforts.”