Donor of the Month
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.”
January 2012: Donor of the Month
Irene Landrau
“It feels so wonderful when I walk in!” Irene Landrau is talking about her Endow group and she will tell you she landed in a great one. At 26, this Catholic nursing student was open to finding a study group with other young adult women. She found one with Endow associate director and facilitator, Kate Sweeney. “Everyone is so fun and engaging,” she says, “it is where I get my spiritual nutrition.”
Their evening meetings are held biweekly and currently they are in the middle of Pope Benedict XVI’s God Is Love. “We take our time…we hope to finish by Lent.”
Like many young people in the Denver area, Irene was influenced by Archbishop Charles Chaput, now archbishop of Philadelphia. Denverites affectionately remember his Sunday evening masses which were attended by throngs of worshippers, many of them young people. They were riveted by the homilies, each a mini-course in theology. Irene and her fiancé, Ryan, always tried to make the 6:30; it was a perfect start to a new week.
Following up worship with her Endow group, Irene is consciously attending to her on-going religious formation. “It’s so nice to have other people to talk to who value the Catholic faith as I do.” Irene says that her Endow lessons have helped to shed light on her professional obligations. She explains that in the medical field there are occasional treatments that are inappropriate for a woman of faith to assist with. In speaking with other Catholic medical professionals and studying the Church teachings in her group, she is learning her faith more deeply.
It is the faith she was raised in and Irene remembers that it was always important to her. She and her family were members at St. Mark’s in Westminster where Irene sang in the choir. Though she strayed and questioned for a few years in college, she returned more convinced than ever that the doctrine of the Church surely contains God’s self-revelation to man. “Without God, there is no meaning.” In 2003 she was part of a contingent that traveled to World Youth Day in Germany. She did not come back unchanged.
She echoes the sentiments of other Endow women who muse about how life might have been different if they had “done Endow” earlier. “I would have loved to have True Beauty Revealed [Endow’s high school program] when I was a teenager. It would have helped me choose those good friends you value in life.”
Irene is eager to make Endow possible for others and so she was happy to respond to the recent appeal when it showed up in her mailbox. She promptly made a donation and hopes that in the future she can become a regular monthly giver. She is right when she notes that every little bit helps. When something has enriched your life, you want to share that with others. Irene sums it up, “Endow is a beautiful message.”
December 2011: Donor of the Month
John Heath
It’s not every day you hear from someone who wants to send you money. But that is exactly what happened last summer when an Endow staffer picked up the phone on the morning after an Endow appearance on EWTN.
Last summer, Executive Director Terry Polakovic and Youth Program Coordinator Brigid DeMoor appeared as guests on Fr. Mitch Pacwa’s program. The two spoke about the mission and message of Endow and the wide appeal it has to women across the spectrum. It was a lively conversation and many people called in to ask questions and express gratitude for a program that educates on the nature and dignity of women. As Terry and Brigid fielded questions and enjoyed some great on-air visiting with Fr. Pacwa and the studio audience, they got the attention of quite a few viewers. John Heath was one of them.
Sixty-three year old John Heath was watching the program from his trailer home 3000 miles away inSan Jose,California. EWTN is a favorite channel; he has numerous shows taped and backed up waiting to be watched. So impressed was he by Endow that he called the office the next day and pledged $5.00 a month. That modest sum – what others might spend on a fancy coffee – would be felt by John. He lives on a fixed income and has to be careful with expenses. But he was moved to partner with an organization he decided was worthy to believe in and he committed to a regular gift. He has kept his promise.
John grew up in the pre-Vatican II era and will tell you he was blessed to be Catholic from birth. In the trailer he shares with his sister, a cat, and a chihuahua, he has a lot of time to think about life. It has had its ups and downs. One of the downs was a ten year span when he was away from the Church. During that time John wandered, developed a drug abuse problem, and hung around with an unsavory crowd. “I haven’t been the most perfect person,” he says as easily as if he were commenting on the weather. “But I shaped up. What I most want now is to be a saint.”
He appears to be well on his way. With the help of his sister, whom he credits with bringing him back to Christ, John is making amends. “I read two chapters from the Bible every day. I pray the rosary and say some other prayers for about 25 minutes.” John has learned that there is no easy road straight to holiness; it is often an arduous journey, but Christ walks every step with the disciple who asks for His help. With his breathing labored from emphysema, John patiently explains that “when I’m humble I’m happier.” Now that he is committed to Christ, John is praying for the women he has known in his previous life who were badly hurt on the streets.
He recently notified the Endow office that he can see his way clear to increase his monthly gift to $10.00. He says he gives to Endow for the sake of all women and the health of society. Jesus is the way. “I’d like to help women lead holy lives.”
October 2011: Donor of the Month
Suzie LaVelle
They say that stewardship takes three forms – time, talent and treasure. In stewarding the gifts God has given her, Suzie gives back all three.
If the name Suzie LaVelle sounds familiar, it might be because she has been part of Endow since its beginning and in 2006 Endow was honored to choose her as the first recipient of the Julia Greeley Award. She was selected in part for her passionate work in the Pro-Life movement.
Suzie’s main apostolate is tending the Memorial Wall for the Unborn which is part of Sacred Heart of Mary Parish in Boulder. Erected in 2000, the wall began as a response to the nearby Boulder Abortion Clinic’s practice of sending the remains of aborted fetuses to a local mortuary for cremation. What the mortuary was receiving were the chillingly recognizable bodies of tiny babies who never lived outside the womb. The mortuary agreed to entrust the remains to Father Kemberling, pastor at the time, and he began doing funerals for these “holy innocents.” Suzie was right beside him. She had found her calling. 
Key to Suzie’s work with post-abortive women is the tender message from John Paul II in his 1995 encyclical Gospel of Life. Often they read from the letter where the Pope speaks words of hope and consolation to the woman who has had an abortion.
The Pope acknowledges the grief and shame she may be feeling as she grapples with her participation in an act that is intrinsically evil. But he does not leave her there mired in sorrow and regret. He points her in the direction of forgiveness and assures her of God’s mercy even as he indicates a bright future can still be hers. With God’s grace she may likely become one of the most eloquent defenders of life.
Suzie says that she has seen for herself that this message “touches deep within a woman’s soul and she grabs it and holds on like a life ring.” It is a private moment of grief meeting solace. “When I see God touch them it is a holy moment that I am not even sure I should be a part of.” Yet she never doubts that God placed her in this ministry for His own reasons and that being an instrument of empathy and healing is her call.
“Endow has given me tools I never knew were out there. I’ve learned that the truth is written in our hearts. I’ve been reminded that human dignity comes from God and extends to all persons and cannot be diminished by man.”
In addition to the time invested in this good work and the talent that comes with pouring out her feminine genius on the women she serves, Suzie and her husband, Terry Lavelle, are generous financial donors to Endow. Terry also serves on Endow’s Board of Directors.
She explains, “I want to see this program go to every woman. I have seen women weep when they have felt the love of God. Whatever I can do for Endow, I will. It’s not about me, it’s about God.”
September 2011: Donors of the Month
Fr. Rick Zerwas
and the People of Church of the Incarnation,
Rio Rancho, NM
It’s not like he doesn’t have enough to spend money on. His parish is the fastest growing one in the area and they are in the middle of a capital campaign. Construction is full speed ahead and they plan to open the new church building in the next two weeks.
But when Fr. Rick Zerwas sat down with his tithing committee Monday morning they elected to send a generous check to Endow.
It’s gestures like that that bring a smile to the bookkeeper’s face and make the rest of us sigh with relief as the financial burden is eased a little. It’s also a psychological boost to feel the moral support.
In a phone conversation Fr. Rick says Endow has been a boon to his parish. A few women were trained as Endow facilitators three years ago and study groups are alive and well. Fr. Rick, pastor to the 500+ families who make this parish their spiritual home, appreciates the quality of the Endow materials and how they support and encourage faithfulness to the Church’s magisterium.
“I learned in my last parish,” says Fr. Rick, “that it is important to bring in speakers who can teach competently. People need to hear the message of truth from other voices. They all add to the solidity of the message.”
“Like a lot of things coming out of Denver, Endow can be trusted. You can’t go wrong with orthodoxy,” he says. Asked if his is a parish that is willing to subsidize women who cannot afford the program, he states that it is their position that no one should be denied because of financial strain. Requests are handled in-house with sensitivity and confidentiality. (Endow also makes scholarship money available for this purpose.)
It is clear this pastor is dedicated to his flock and his affection comes through in his voice. “These guys have taught me that the capacity for people to give is great.” He makes it a policy to, as he puts it, “never get in the way of someone’s sainthood.” He means that sacrificing for a noble cause may be exactly what God is calling them to do.
He cites the widow from the gospel accounts who gives her mite. Fr. Rick notes that Jesus does not caution her to save for a future emergency, He points out her pure generosity to His apostles and praises her goodness.
To the people of Church of the Incarnation – thank you for your generosity and goodness. We depend on our benefactors and are grateful to have you among them.
August 2011: Donor of the Month
Patricia Muscari
Read your local Catholic paper. That’s Patricia’s advice as she recalls how she learned about Endow. It was an article in the Denver Catholic Register that advertised a class Sister Timothea Elliot, RSM was giving on Valiant Women of the Bible. “I noticed it was sponsored by Endow which was unfamiliar to me at the time. I signed up and just loved the class; I never missed a single one!” Sister had a wonderful way of putting things together and making the material come alive.
According to Patricia, it was almost as exciting as being back in college. Years ago, at Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross in Washington, D.C., Patricia studied English and Philosophy. It was there she received a classic Catholic education with an emphasis on the Summa Theologiae. It helped form her and from there, marriage and children followed. It was a full life, but serious study didn’t come back on the menu till recently.
Patricia says that finding out about Endow came along at just the right time. She wanted to do more with her faith…feel it more…learn it better…really live it. “Endow education strengthens my religious beliefs.” The next step, after her first class, was facilitator training.
Now she has a small – but growing – study group that meets in her home. She considers her living room conducive to learning and sharing. “It’s roomy and comfortable, plus, it beats being in the parish basement which can get really cold in the wintertime.” They studied The Christian Meaning of Suffering and found the Pope’s words very consoling. “Every one of us has gone through something.”
They have done two studies and in July, Patricia treated herself to Endow Summer School. She found it to be a lively time of learning and fellowship with other believing women from around the country. Now she is eager to share what she is learning with the others. She would love to lead her group through Aquinas for Beginners and hopes the women agree that it would be an important adventure into Catholic thinking.
“Endow puts it on a platter for us,” says Pat reflecting on how the studies are received by her and the other women. She adds that the studies take lofty Church teachings and make them readily understandable and applicable to daily Catholic living.
In Endow, Patricia has found a cause she enjoys supporting. She went to her first fund-raising Gala last May and looks forward to the next one. “It was an awesome event – and the Mass beforehand was just beautiful!”
Talking about why she gives to Endow, Patricia the philosopher says earnestly: “We have to support things that enrich women and Endow is a gem. We can’t afford to lose it now that we have it.”
July 2011: Donor of the Month
“Why would I not do it?” This question popped into the heart of Shar Messaros when asked to chair the 2011 Catholic Women’s Conference. Some people are naturally enthusiastic, inclined to jump in, to answer, perhaps before they think things through. That’s Shar , and the women at Endow couldn’t be happier about it.
Shar Messaros of Erie, Colorado has been part of Endow for years. She met Executive Director, Terry Polakovic at a retreat and when Polakovic asked her to think about becoming an Endow facilitator, she said yes and has been involved ever since. She leads a small group and they have tackled many studies and look forward to more.
“I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes, but Endow has reinforced my dignity as a woman.” She recognizes that many women share that feeling. “Once a woman takes a class, she’s hooked.” Shar says she has loved watching women grow and flourish through the Endow program.
Shar demonstrates that there are many ways to support Endow and she does them all. In addition to facilitating and making a commitment to regular giving, Shar has stepped up to take on the task of chairing the conference. Her knowledge of Endow, her personable style, and can-do spirit made her a perfect choice. But she is quick to give credit to the others on the committee. “This year we have the best team ever!” They think it’s time to invite women to a fresh venue; this year’s conference is at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Broomfield, Colorado, just south of Boulder and about a half hour north of Denver. “Women will enjoy seeing our part of the state,” says Shar, and her committee members agree.
“Please pray for the women who are coming to the conference,” Shar asks. The conference is slated for September 9/10 and this year’s theme is “The Courage to Love.” Bishop Sheridan of Colorado Springs will be the keynote speaker on Friday night. Concurrent with the pre-conference facilitators’ retreat Friday will be a day-long facilitator training for women desiring to learn how to lead groups.
“We must actively look for new facilitators”, says Shar. “For Endow to be healthy and growing, new leaders are always needed.” She recalls her conversation with Terry Polakovic years ago when Terry approached Shar about becoming a facilitator. “We shouldn’t be afraid to invite women to join us. People are complimented by that. Endow’s future depends on all of us.”
And all of us can do something. “I realized that if I could double what I give, it would make a tremendous difference.”
She encourages other women to follow suit. Shar knows money is tight for many people; she and her husband Mike had three children in college at the time she increased her gift. But Endow has such potential for good and whether a woman offers her time, talent or treasure, everything offered in love is needed and appreciated.
June 2011: Donor of the Month
Shelly Saeman
Shelly Saeman is an enthusiastic Endow participant and recently worked on Endow’s Fundraising Gala, initiating our first-ever live auction. She recently took some time in the middle of her busy schedule to talk with us about what motivates her to support Endow.
How did you come to be associated with Endow?
I was introduced to Endow and met its Executive Director, Terry Polakovic, through my mother-in-law, Carol Saeman, a board member. This was four years ago when I was going through RCIA classes. I was baptized Catholic but didn’t practice any “religious faith” while growing up. When Craig and I met and began dating I started attending church with him… it was a deeply beautiful experience and I, at least in part, fell in love with my husband and my faith watching Craig pray and practice his faith. The Endow studies and the inspirational women of Endow have been nothing less than a blessing in my life and I continue to learn and grow in my faith with these women who are very much my sisters.
Why do you give to the Endow apostolate?
Craig and I give because we so very passionately believe in the mission. We have four girls of our own and now a granddaughter. We hope that our girls and the young women (and men) they surround themselves with will understand and embrace the truth as to what their vocation as a woman really is and embrace feminism as it was meant to be embraced instead of how it is portrayed in the secular realm.
Since you are involved in supporting Endow as a couple, what might Craig say about his willingness to support this cause?
That’s funny…I’m not even sure …he is on the golf course or I would ask him for his own words. He does however support Endow, the mission of Endow and our involvement with Endow.
What has been a happy outcome or story you can share about how Endow impacts women and girls?
Endow has changed my life, my outlook, my views. In embracing the journey, in the way that God has intended, I know I am a better wife, a better mother… a better woman. I believe that Endow impacts other women in the same manner and when I think about how many lives each of those other women touch it makes me hopeful about the endless possibilities.
What would you like to say about your work on the auction at the recent Gala?
Wow – what an honor to have been asked to be on the Gala committee! I was a little nervous when board member, Joanie Todd, first asked if I would help with the Gala this year as I had never done anything like that before… very much outside my comfort zone. Craig and I were asked to host the “kick off” cocktail party and I was asked to work on the auction part of the evening. I can honestly say it was truly one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had… working with a tremendously talented, spiritual group of women to pull off an evening that perfectly magnified the nature and dignity of women.
April 2011: Donors of the Month
Sergio and Mercy Gutierrez
One of the happy surprises about Endow has turned out to be its appeal to young women. Mercy Gutierrez is one of them. Raised and schooled in her home state of Indiana, Mercy, the eldest of the Wagner family’s six children, eventually joined the rest of the clan after they moved to Colorado. She was employed by the Archdiocese of Denver and came into contact with many committed Catholics. Mercy’s love of the faith, her communication skills, and her easy connection to youth were some of the things that got her noticed. Before long, she was asked to serve on the Board of Directors for the fledgling Endow apostolate.
That was in 2003. Today, Mercy is still involved, facilitating groups and writing and editing Endow Youth Studies. She is married to Sergio and they are parents of Ana Maria, 4, Diego, 3, and Lucia, 1. Amidst all their obligations – financial and otherwise – they make it a priority to support Endow. Recently, Mercy agreed to sit down and answer some questions. Busy moms usually can only steal away to the computer late at night when the house falls silent. This is what Mercy sent us in a late night e-mail:
Why do you give to the Endow apostolate?
We give because we wholeheartedly believe that when women come to a greater understanding about their God-given dignity, the dignity of the entire family is elevated. Women are the heart of the family. Just like a physical heart pumps blood for the entire body, the woman, by her mere presence influences the entire family.
How does Endow impact women’s faith lives?
If a woman is well-formed in the faith, it is very likely that her family will grow in their knowledge, respect and love of the faith. While sitting on the Board, we often see this happen. A woman participates in an Endow study; the eyes of her heart are opened; she encounters Jesus in a profound way and desires to know Him more; her mind is open to learning from the teachings of the Church; the woman becomes a seeker of truth. Naturally, her spouse and children see the transformation taking place in the woman and cannot help but become transformed themselves.
Since you are involved in supporting Endow as a couple, what might Sergio say about his willingness to support this cause?
Sergio is extremely supportive. He believes “you can’t give what you don’t have”. As a facilitator and participant in Endow, I am given the opportunity to sit still for two hours a week, read, reflect and share about our Catholic faith. This time of study nourishes me and I am more equipped to “give” and share myself with those around me in a fruitful way. He is the first to say that our marriage and our family benefit directly from my participation in Endow.
What has been a happy story you can share about how Endow impacts women and girls?
It never gets old to see a woman start a study and sit in awe because she is hearing the truth about her dignity for the first time. I remember a high school girl sharing with me during a Teen Retreat (True Beauty Revealed) that she never knew there was an option regarding the way she viewed her sexuality and femininity. MTV, talk shows and music had convinced her that all girls act and live unchaste lives. She was almost speechless when she heard that she is cherished and worth more than her external appearance.
In your “new” role as parents, what is your perspective on how Endow might affect your children’s future?
Sergio and I pray that as our children grow, they desire to know and love the Lord and that they grow to be morally virtuous individuals with outstanding character. Who doesn’t want this for their child? So, with this goal in mind, we are aware that WE must live as individuals who desire to know and love the Lord. WE must show outstanding character and live virtuously each day.
Any last words?
Endow is a forum in which I can and do grow SO MUCH! I am encouraged by the other women in my group to strive for holiness. I am nourished by the Word and drawn into a deeper understanding of God and who He has created me to be. I am challenged in my vocation as a wife, mother, daughter, friend, neighbor, and employee to be more available to God and how He wants to work in my life. I am aware that I cannot force my children to love Jesus and the Church, but I can do all in my power to show them God’s love working in and through me. I trust that God will do the rest and I thank Endow for its part in strengthening me along the way.
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Thank you, Mercy and Sergio, for supporting Endow! If you share the Gutierrez’ feelings on helping the mission of Endow, please consider making a charitable contribution. To donate, click here.
March 2011: Donor of the Month
Michele Schmidt
“My husband loves Endow!” When asked about why they give to Endow this was the first phrase out of Michele Schmidt’s mouth. “Ray wishes there was a version for men.” Michele was among the first women in the Archdiocese of Detroit to join Endow; she went to a Letter to Women class and loved it immediately.
“I was struggling with certain issues in the Church” said Michele, “and the Endow studies provided healing by shedding light on the true teachings of the Church.” She continued, “Of course, I love John Paul II,” but when I told my facilitator that I didn’t know such beauty existed until I read his words, she said, “Most women don’t.” It was then that she encouraged me to be a facilitator.
Over the years she has led parish Endow groups, Michele says what happens in the sharing among the women is a godsend. “We share our faith and our hearts.” When one young woman in their group was looking for work, they all prayed for her and today she has a solid position with a good salary. “When she was out of work, we paid for her. Now that she is working, she pays for other women who need it.” Michele chuckled as she said that this young woman is too busy working now to even attend their group, but she still pays $60 anyway – just so someone else will be helped.
Ray, Michele’s husband, a music teacher in a public school, also runs the choir ministry at their Catholic church. Michele agrees that he is well catechized and she is working to keep up. “We read the Endow books together. Ray thinks they’re great.” Michele and Ray showed their support for Endow two years ago by traveling to Denver for the annual fundraising gala, Evening of Enchantment. Even with the crazy snowfall in May, it was a wonderful time.
For most of her career, Michele ran an insurance agency which she recently sold and has since retired. Now that their three children are grown, Michele happily follows her heart into volunteer activities and Endow is right up front. “I have time for something I really love.” Michele observes that Detroit has suffered in this economy and she knows many women really struggle and so she has contributed to Endow’s scholarship fund. According to Michele, it’s a matter of giving back – to share what has been good for her with other women. “We want them to be able to have this wonderful experience.”