Stewardship

A Legacy of Faith and Generosity: Roots of the Sr. Claire Rodrigue Endowment

Stewardship, deeply rooted in the Tradition of our Faith, embodies the call to serve, give, and sustain our local communities. For many people, this journey begins at home and extends to every facet of life, creating a legacy that transcends generations. Rene David, daughter of Mary and Al Danos, and Bonnie Babin, daughter of John and Clara Brady, share how their families’ connections to and love of Holy Rosary Catholic School (HRCS) (along with those of Brian and Emily Cheramie) inspired their creation of the Sr. Claire Rodrigue Endowment through the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana (CFSL).

For Rene and Bonnie, the story is woven with love, faith, and commitment. Rene’s parents, Mary and Al Danos, embraced Catholic education upon the simple request of a nun when they adopted their children through Catholic Charities. This request sparked a lifelong dedication to HRCS and its community.

Both Rene’s and Bonnie’s parents were involved with HRCS well before they had school-age children. This sense of ownership for the school was instilled by Sr. Claire Rodrigue.

A member of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, Sr. Claire Rodrigue was known for her stability, authority, and unwavering dedicationto HRCS, leaving a permanent mark on those she interacted with.

Bonnie said, “My mother ran into Sr. Claire in the grocery store where Sr. said ‘Clara, what are you doing? I need some help starting the school.’ No one could ever tell Sr. Claire no for anything.” She thought she was going to volunteer just for a day or so and stayed as a second-grade teacher for close to 20 years.”

This initial act of service grew into a deep-seated commitment, with Bonnie’s parents serving on the school board and organizing parish fairs.

Rene shared a similar story of connection and dedication to HRCS inspired by Sr. Claire.

“She taught me donor relations and the importance of connecting with them. Her approach was personal and genuine, always leading to fruitful outcomes,” said Rene.

This mentorship inspired Rene to take on the responsibility of major gift-giving, perpetuating Sr. Claire’s legacy of generosity and dedication to Catholic education.

In 1986 the idea of Friends of the Rosary, a precursor to the Sr. Claire Rodrigue Endowment, was born out of necessity and vision. As parish fairs, began to wane, Mr. John Brady proposed an annual dinner to fill the financial gap.

“Friends of the Rosary aimed to help anyone who wanted a Catholic education. Our mission with the endowment is similar – to offer scholarships and support families in need,” said Rene.

Bonnie said, “My father, John, Mr. Al, and Mr. Brian saw the need for tuition assistance and decided to have a wine dinner, initially just inviting a few of their friends.” This initiative grew and became a school wide function for many years, ultimately supporting the endowment.

“Mr. John Brady’s foresight to save a portion of the funds each year allowed the endowment to grow significantly,” said Rene. The consistent support and dedication of families like the Cheramies, the Bradys, the Danos’s and their successors have ensured the longevity and success of this initiative.

The endowment has grown to the extent where each year, funds are provided to the school for tuition assistance. The desire is to give access to all students who want to experience an exceptional education in a Christ centered atmosphere at HRCS.

The establishment of the Sr. Claire Rodrigue Endowment through the CFSL marked a significant transition in Rene’s stewardship journey. The endowment’s mission aligns with the values instilled by her parents, ensuring that the benefits of Catholic education continue to reach future generations. The love these families had for Catholic education inspired them to start the endowment, recognizing that loving something includes making sure it is available to others long after you’re gone.

With the CFSL now managing and growing the Sr. Claire Rodrigue endowment, HRCS will continue to receive perpetual tuition assistance funding that aligns with the family’s Catholic values – ensuring access to Catholic education in perpetuity.

Reflecting on her own experiences, Rene emphasizes the unique benefits of a Catholic education. She said, “The small size of HRCS created a family-oriented atmosphere, where love and community thrived. Events like the annual passion play and fairs fostered bonds between families, teachers and students.”

Bonnie highlighted the blessings of growing up in a faith-filled environment of a Catholic school. She said, “For a child to grow in their faith, learning about it on a daily basis, incorporated into all their subjects in school is such a blessing and is so needed.”

This sense of community and shared faith is what they hope to preserve and extend through their continued support and stewardship.

Planned giving is highlighted as a crucial aspect of sustaining Catholic education. “Leaving something behind that lives on forever is a powerful way to support future generations and the CFSL helps make your legacy become a reality” said Rene. She advocates for teaching young generations the importance of giving, creating a ripple effect of generosity and service.

Bonnie stresses the importance of planned giving, made easy by the CFSL. “If you’re passionate about a certain school, parish, charity, whatever, the Foundation will ensure your gift has growth. It is as easy and simple as adding one sentence in your will or changing your beneficiary forms."

For Rene, stewardship is deeply intertwined with her faith. “I feel like I was put here to serve others. My parents always gave, and that example shaped my own desire to help and give back,” she said. The CFSL works directly with families to live out their mission and calling for true stewardship of their time, talent, and treasure.

Trust is a cornerstone of Rene’s work with the CFSL. “They make it so easy. I trust them to carry forward my vision, mission, hopes, and dreams. I believe what we have established will live on forever with their help,” she said.

In summary the story of HRCS and the Sr. Claire Rodrigue endowment is a powerful reminder of the impact of a few families’ legacies can have on countless others, perpetuating a cycle of generosity and faith for generations to come.

The Catholic Foundation is here to help create a legacy you are proud of. Amy Ponson, CEO of the Catholic Foundation, is one call away from creating a legacy for you and your beloved ministry. She can be reached by phone at 985.850.3116 or by email at [email protected].