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Thanks to the generosity of the parishioners of Good Shepherd, the fund’s endowment has grown to $322,000 at the end of June, 2005.
The Charter of the fund specifies that 100% of the interest income and 50% of regular donations in excess of $300,000 are to be used to further the goals of the ministry.
100% of any special collections are to be used for the specific purpose collected e.g., Sudan, hurricanes, and tsunami.
Since the beginning of July 2004, the fund has given $12,000 (including $10,000 special collection) to Sudan relief, $4,600 (including $2,600 special collection) for hurricane relief in Florida and Grenada, $47,535 (including $45,535 special collection) for Tsunami relief and $10,000 to improve school facilities in Tecún Umán, Guatemala.
The $10,000 to Guatemala is the first of 3 equal payments on a three year commitment to the school.
The fund also collected over $67,000 for hurricane Katrina victims.
The Guatemalan school project is of particular interest to our ministry as it was brought to us by Bishop Ramazzini who recently visited Good Shepherd.
You will recall that the Bishop used his homily to educate us on the needs of the people in the diocese of San Marcos that he serves.
This school project offers a unique opportunity for us to make a real difference in the lives of the people of Tecún Umán by offering educational opportunities that otherwise would not be available.
Total enrollment in the school K – 9 is 400 students.
The first year Psalm 23 fund contribution will be used to provide scholarships and supplies to needy students.
The use of future contributions will be determined as needs arise.
Fr. Livio, the school pastor, has committed to sending us names and photos of the students on scholarship as well as quarterly reports on their progress and letters from them.
Documentation on all expenditures will also be sent to us.
The Psalm 23 Board has established a sub committee of 5 parishioners whose goal will be to improve our relationship with the school focusing on ways to make a real difference in the lives of all involved.
Those efforts may include such things as letters to and from the students, prayer cards to sponsor a student and establishing pen pals with our religious education students.
A special slide show was presented when Bishop Ramazzini visited Good Shepherd in early October.
This project is truly unique as it allows us as a community to accomplish the three main elements of Stewardship, the giving of our Time, our Talents, and our Treasure.
None of these activities would be possible without the ongoing generosity of you, the parishioners of Good Shepherd.
For that generosity, the Psalm 23 Fund is truly grateful.
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