Florida Catholic | Catholic Foundation Honors Donors

Diocese honors Catholic Foundation contributors

Generosity and a desire to share motivates donors to share their time, talent and treasure.

CARLOS BRICENO | FLORIDA CATHOLIC ST. PETERSBURG BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 12.21.07

St. PETERSBURG | Margaret and Edward Dieter never had children, but in a way they do.

They have donated money over the past several years to the Catholic Foundation, which works with parishioners, community leaders and businesses to ensure the future of the church within parish, school and diocesan boundaries, and, in particular, they have given to help support Catholic schools, Margaret Dieter said.

“We love giving to charity — especially to the diocese, which does so much good for the community,” she said, adding that she didn’t go to Catholic schools, but her husband did. “We don’t have any children, but we think that Catholic schools have a good educational system.”

Benefactors such as the Dieters, members of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in Spring Hill, who have given of their time, treasure and talents to the Catholic Foundation were honored Dec. 11 with a Mass at the Mary Magdalen Prasch Chapel in St. Petersburg that was presided over by Bishop Robert N. Lynch.

The benefactors were also feted with a luncheon afterward at the Pastoral Center.

Joseph Citro, executive director of the Catholic Foundation, said it is appropriate for the benefactors to be honored.

“I think that in our lives there is nothing more wonderful than being thanked,” said Citro, who is also the executive director for the diocesan office of stewardship and development. “We owe a great deal of gratitude to the people who are here today because they give their time, their talent and their treasure over and over again. These people could very easily close their eyes to all the needs there are in the diocese, but they open their eyes wide and open their arms wide and they give with all of their hearts. They’re really a blessing to all of us.”

He said some of the benefactors have given monetarily and some have shared their talents, including those who volunteer as board members for various committees, or attorneys who help give presentations at estate-planning seminars.

Several benefactors interviewed talked about the need to give because of their pride in being Catholic.

Dr. Hernan Leon, who retired two years ago from his medical practice and is originally from Colombia, said he’s compelled to give because of the blessings he’s received.

“I feel so happy about being Catholic and I’ve been blessed by God,” said Leon, who is chairman of the foundation’s “Catholic Celebration” committee, which over the past two years has raised about $185,000 for tuition for those Catholic students who need assistance to attend Catholic schools.

“I’ve done very well economically in my profession, and I think it’s important to share with other people who have not been as favored as I have been and also because you have to give back to your community. This is my community. I’ve been in Tampa for 34 years.”

Helen Strauss, a parishioner at Espiritu Santo Parish in Safety Harbor, put it this way: “I think as Catholics we have to support each other.”

To find out more information about the Catholic Foundation or to find out how to donate some of your time, treasure or talent, please contact Citro at 727-374-0220.

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