- October 25, 2024 Community
In the 2019 congregational chapter, members were called to simplify the works of the province for the sake of the community of the future. Simplification is behind the recent decision to unite the two province grants, Feuerbacher and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) — formerly Tabitha — Funds, into a new grant. The decision was recently made by the province leadership team, in conjunction with the Feuerbacher and CSJ funds granting committee chairs, Sisters Sandy Schmid and Mary Flick, respectively.
The Feuerbacher Grant was established in 2004 through a $1.4 million bequest of Father Ed Feuerbacher, a priest of the St. Louis Archdiocese who was active in justice issues on the city’s near north side. With $86,000 given annually in gifts to St. Louis agencies serving women and children, the original fund has been depleted. The Tabitha Fund was established in 1996 through an act of Province Assembly, using a portion of the funds that came from the sale of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kirkwood, Missouri, to “help the needs of others.”
“Each year there is an overlap of applicants for the Feuerbacher and CSJ funds,” says S. Mary. “For some time, we have been interested in eliminating the need for agencies to apply twice.”
S. Sandy agrees. “By having only one grant, the pool of money will not be divided,” she says. “And it is more likely that we can fully fund more projects.”
Still to be determined is the maximum amount of a grant, as well as the criteria, selection process and when the grants will be made.
While the new fund is being created, the Feuerbacher and CSJ funds are suspended for the 2024-25 grant year.
“As our vowed membership decreases and the financial expenses and care for our members increase, we see this as one way of simplifying while continuing our support for those agencies that further our mission of unifying love,” says Sister Mary Margaret Lazio, of the province leadership team.
A committee will be formed to determine the audience and purpose of the new province grant and the development of a streamlined application process. The committee will be selected and begin its work in the fall.