Women’s Giving Circle launches 2023 campaign

Following a successful 2022 inaugural year, the Women’s Giving Circle gathered for its first 2023 meeting on Feb. 15 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Baton Rouge. Their focus this year is ministries to youth.

With St. Katharine Drexel as their patron saint, the WGC has a goal of creating a group of Catholic women dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the needy in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Designed as a giving circle, the group leverages a pooled fund to have a greater impact on the organizations they select.

During its inaugural year, the organization donated a combined $70,000 to six non-profit organizations.

The WGC has already surpassed that mark this year, raising $88,800. There are currently 165 members.

Following Mass celebrated by Father Josh Johnson, pastor of Sacred Heart, the women heard an inspirational presentation from Jennifer Monette, associate director of integration at Sacred Heart.

Monette talked about the role of Christian love in relationships and reaching out to others, especially the marginalized.

She pointed to St. Paul, who wrote about the excellence of the gift of love. She highlighted the qualities of love being patient, kind and trusting, not self-seeking and not losing hope.

While the culture teaches material success, status and power, Christianity is a stark contrast, Monette pointed out.

Learning from the cross and suffering are what help one live a fulfilling life, according to Monette.

“The cross is teaching us if we can persevere, then we can confirm salvations of ourselves and we can play a role in salvation in other souls,” she said.

“Nothing is more part of the fun than falling in love … when you discover he (God) has become your father,” said Monette.

She told the women they are charged with engaging people each day, becoming active members in society, defending Christian values and stopping the spread of the worldly culture. They should see where their talents, time, love and compassion are needed in their businesses, families, neighborhoods and circle of friends.

Historically, the saints saw injustices and persecutions in their times and addressed them. This was certainly true of St. Katharine Drexel, who reached out to Native American Indians and African Americans.

“She came to help, she learned their stories … Xavier University is proof of her birth,” said Monette.

After her talk, the women ate lunch and fellowshipped together.

Bonnie Mart, co-founder of the WGC, was happy with the turnout at the Mass and meeting.

“We were very pleased with our WGC Kickoff Event with over 100 of our Giving Circle partners in attendance,” said Mart. “The women were excited to be together and were eager to learn about the nonprofits we presented in this year’s Giving Guide. I’m thrilled our 2023 giving season has gotten off to such a successful start.  And we look forward to again this year making an impact by assisting the good works done by these nonprofits.”

The members made their first round of voting following the event. The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m., at St. Aloysius Church, 2025 Stuart Ave., Baton Rouge.

Father Jeff Bayhi, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Zachary, will celebrate Mass, followed by a “Sip and Learn” presentation from representatives of five non-profits that have been chosen to receive funding this year. Eighty-five percent of the members prayed and voted since the meeting to choose its nonprofits for funding this year. Based on their voting, the five organizations that will be invited to the Sip and Learn are:  The Gardere Initiative, The Life of a Single Mom, Metanoia, Redemptorist St. Gerard Tutoring and Sacred Heart Church Vagabond Missionaries.

The WGC will conclude 2023 with a Mass, celebrated by Bishop Michael G. Duca and Father Paul Yi, pastor of St. George Church in Baton Rouge, at the Cypress Springs Mercedarian Prayer Center, 17560 George O’Neal Road, followed by lunch at neighboring White Oak Estates, where selected non-profits will be presented their award gift.   

To learn more about WGC, visit diobr.org/womens-giving-circle.