By Rebecca Omastiak of The Catholic Spirit
Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota’s 30th anniversary event this year “is as much a celebration of our larger Catholic community, without whom CCF wouldn’t be here,” CCF President Anne Cullen Miller said.
The April 27 “Come to the Table” event starts with a 6 p.m. reception followed by a 7 p.m. dinner and program at the Hilton Minneapolis in downtown Minneapolis.
Bishop Robert Barron — bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and termed “the Bishop of Catholic Social Media” by the Wall Street Journal — is the keynote speaker. Featured guest is Father Mike Schmitz, director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth and chaplain of the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Cullen Miller will also speak at the event. Kelly Wahlquist — director of The St. Paul Seminary’s Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute in St. Paul and founder of WINE, Women in the New Evangelization — will emcee the event.
“We’re blessed in Minnesota to have such talented, faithful individuals ministering to the world from our own backyard,” Cullen Miller said. “Kelly Wahlquist, Father Mike Schmitz, Bishop Barron, and Archbishop Hebda all steward their gifts beautifully. We’re grateful to them for taking the time to join CCF to celebrate our Catholic community.”
Founded in 1992, the foundation now stewards more than 1,200 charitable funds totaling over $530 million and grants roughly $18 million annually. As a community foundation, CCF supports financially the spiritual, educational and social needs of the Catholic community. Since it was founded, CCF has granted more than $225 million to parishes, Catholic schools and other charities.
During a recent “Practicing Catholic” interview about CCF’s 30th anniversary, Archbishop Hebda said stewardship is an important priority for Catholics “because it’s the way in which we’re able to really participate in the life of the Church, that we have that sense of gratitude for the gifts that God has given to us.” He said he has been inspired by CCF through “the professional characteristics of the organization” and especially through the generosity of those involved “who really are committed to making sure that our Catholic organizations, that our Catholic community, really is able to respond to the needs of ministry that are presented at any particular time.”
CCF anticipates more than 1,200 attendees for the April 27 event. Tickets have sold out; those interested in attending can sign up for the waiting list online.