Stewardship

10-Year Anniversary of Building a Legacy for Our Diocese Through the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana

When Bishop Sam Jacobs was considering the future of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, he had an ambitious vision. He wanted to ensure that the Diocese and its many ministries, schools, and parishes could continue their work in Christ not just tomorrow, but well into the future and for generations to come. Through that vision, Bishop Jacobs embarked on the launch of a capital campaign which created the Catholic Foundation and secured its first investment in 2014 to endow Catholic Charities and seminarian formation.
 
Over the past 10 years, the Foundation has helped grow that first investment into over $26,000,000, which directly supports ministries like Catholic schools, our church parishes, and local ministries throughout our community. Through the generosity of its donors with campaigns such as iGiveCatholic and the Mother Teresa Women’s Giving Circle, the Catholic Foundation has contributed to the building of the adoration chapel at St. Thomas Aquinas, the purchasing of ultrasound equipment for crisis pregnancy centers, and offering scholarships for young people to receive a Catholic education in our Diocese. The Foundation staff helps connect donors to any one of 100+ ministries and organizations that they feel most passionately about.
 
“You can see through the generosity of our donors that there is something beautiful moving in our hearts. The celebration of the 10^th Anniversary with St. Joseph’s Dinner is just one example,” shared Amy Ponson, CEO of the Catholic Foundation. “The impact of the foundation is changing the landscape of our community and will continue to make a lasting impact well into the future.”
 
Throughout the life of the Foundation, our community has experienced many obstacles, storms, and leadership transitions within our diocese. Preparing for the future means being ready for these adverse times as well. The Foundation stands as a beacon of strength and stability when we need them the most. “Even in times of hardship, the Foundation is still there. That’s the point!” Jimmy Ledet shares from a donor’s perspective about the impact the Foundation has had on this community.
 
When asked about the ways in which the Catholic Foundation has supported the Office of Vocations to the Priesthood, Fr. Mitch Semar reflects that he’s “never experienced generosity like this before.” He shared, “without the Foundation, we wouldn’t be able to do what we’re doing with our seminarians, and we wouldn’t have the young men in our seminary that we have.”
 
The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana has grown and changed over the last 10 years, from the first dollar invested to celebrating its incredible impact at the St. Joseph’s Dinner with more than 400 of its supporters in attendance this past October 2024. As it continues to grow and make a lasting impact on our Catholic community, we have hope for the future of our diocese and the people we serve.
 
Thank you to all those who have made the work of the Foundation possible over the last 10 years. We pray that the Lord continues to bless this work and the ministries it supports.
 
To learn how you can partner with the Catholic Foundation to build your own legacy for your parish or school, please visit catholiccfoundationsl.org or call Amy Ponson at (985) 850-3116.