tvc.dsj.org | February 5, 2019
COMMUNITY
5
On a Firm Foundation: My Work Family
•
Mary Quilici Aumack
Executive Director
Catholic Community Foundation of Santa
Clara County, [email protected]
My friend Susan often speaks of gratitude for both
the family into which she was born, and the family
she chose. I am blessed to be part of the family that
she chose. Maybe it’s luck, but many of us have great
family relationships, and deep and tradition-laden
friendships.
But what about the family we’re “stuck with,” our
WORK FAMILY?
Here at the Foundation, we say there are “4-1/2”
of us because Nora works part-time. So we are fi ve.
We are diff erent in many ways:
• Age range (three guesses who’s oldest)
• Heritage (Irish, Italian, Argentinian, German,
English….)
• Food preferences. Well actually, most of us like
EVERYTHING. There are a few noted excep-
tions which I won’t detail here but give us fun
discussion points
• Music choices
• Movie choices: We keep a list of “must see”
movies, old and new. I tend toward tamer
cinematic fare, so when a title is suggested,
I always ask: “Yes, but is it a `Mary movie?’”
• Books we’re reading and loving, or reading
and NOT loving
We have things in common:
• FOOD: When preparing for an endowment
reception at Saint Joseph of Cupertino a few
years ago, FatherGreg Kimm remarked: “You
know, it’s all about the food.” We have taken
that to heart. We often gather around a simple
lunch to catch up on books, movies, or even
work. We grab takeout when we’re busy (and
we are pretty much always busy). We intro-
duced Carolina to Taco Bell, which I’m quite
sure she now secretly loves.
Starbucks. Oh, is that just an extension of
food? Well alright then, but we all do like it.
• We love the 49ers and “don’t love” Pete Caroll
(oh wait, that’s just I).
• Love of family. Because of our age range we
are experiencing diff erent aspects of family
life. Carolina (four children) and Nora (two
children) have an oldest who is starting to
think about college. Sean and Marie do not
have children. My “baby” Kacey is almost
35 and recently moved to Portland. We talk
about family, we share experiences, and we
are strengthened. My dad would have loved
this!
Like all good work groups, we share sense of
purpose. We are highly collaborative, often gather-
ing around our small round tables to further an idea,
perfect a marketing piece, or solve a problem. These
are the times that give me great joy.
Through our grant making we learn more about
the broad and eff ective programs happening around
the valley, propelled by faith. We recognize the
work of Saint Vincent DePaul society, the outreach
of so many parishes, the lasting formation of our
diocesan elementary schools and Sacred Heart
Nativity Schools. We often wish we had unlimited
fi nancial resources, to partner more strongly with
these institutions and programs. Toward that end,
we work together.
Above all else, and adding depth, richness and joy
to our work, we share our faith. I’ve often remarked
that the number one personal benefi t of my work is
the deepening of my faith.
My previous career was in high tech sales and
marketing. I loved my work, but it was nothing like
this, nothing like here. HERE I can display my faith
with objects in my offi ce. HERE we have a crucifi x in
our main area, demonstrating the “why” of us, which
is deep gratitude for the real presence of Jesus in the
Eucharist, extending to our desire to grow ministry
by providing consistent fi nancial support.
HERE we pray at the beginning of our staff meet-
ings. On Mondays in December we lit the advent
wreath and gave thanks.
HERE we support each other in the prayers and
rituals of our faith. When my mom died, it was a
joyous time to remember a long and worthy life.
Staff gathered with me and my family to celebrate
in thanksgiving. When Sean’s dad died, it was sud-
den and too soon. We gathered then, doing what we
could to hold him in the embrace of our love and
support, hoping to say or not say what might help.
HERE we celebrate every birthday, every achieve-
ment, silly to solemn, tiny to business-changing. We
recently opened a Donor Advised Fund for Father
Saju Joseph in honor of his 25th anniversary of ordi-
nation. We open the mail together, and fi nd delight
with every check that comes in support of Father
Saju’s fund, or a parish or school endowment.
In November Marie got married. We gathered
around the Eucharist with great joy. The celebrant,
Father Matt Elshoff , a Franciscan from southern
California gave the most beautiful homily. We were
in the mission church and he spoke of Saint Clare. He
said that when each young woman joined the order
Saint Clare would give her a mirror. The goal was to
look in the mirror and always strive to BE the good
that was refl ected. As he was speaking, I’m thinking
to myself: “really? a mirror?” He then walked to a
nearby table and picked up a crucifi x. He returned
to stand in front of Marie and Andrew and said:
“and THIS is the mirror. This is the refl ection that
can guide us and give us strength as we go out in
the world, sure of our place in the Body of Christ.”
It was a beautiful and moving moment.
HERE we seek to provide FOREVER VALUE for
parishes, schools and other organizations, in the
sure and certain hope that through our work we can
contribute to the growth of sacraments and deepen-
ing of our faith.
Our work family is fi lled with hope and purpose,
and we are blessed.
Check out the website: www.cfoscc.org, or stop
by for some food and faith!
Saint Vincent De Paul to Hold 2nd Annual Pasta & Bingo Fundraiser
Saint Vincent de Paul of Santa
Clara County will be holding its 2nd
annual Pasta & Bingo fundraiser to
help families in need in Santa Clara
County. Proceeds raised will allow
Saint Vincent de Paul to continue its
eff orts to help the needy stay in their
homes, pay utility bills, and provide
food for their families.
The event will be held on Saturday,
February 23, at Saint Simon Parish
Hall, 1860 Grant Rd., Los Altos, from
6-9 p.m. The pasta dinner is being ca-
tered by Olive Garden and will include
choice of pasta, salad, breadsticks and
dessert. Each ticket purchase also in-
cludes 10 games of Bingo with dauber.
Additional games may be purchased.
Bingo prizes (no monetary prizes)
will be items and gift cards valued at
$25 and more. In addition, there will
be a raffl e for many great gift baskets
valued at $50 and more, and there will
also be many fantastic silent auction
items to bid on.
Cost to attend will be $35 per person
and seating is limited to 100 people. Visit
www.svdp.org/bingo-pasta-fundraiser
for details and to securely purchase
tickets for this event, or download and
fi ll-in the bottom portion of the fl yer
and send it with your check to the ad-
dress listed. Contact the council offi ce at
(408) 249-2853 with any questions.
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