Donor Stories

When John “Jack” Potosnak reflects on his mother’s life story, he has immense gratitude for the Catholic ministries that shaped and guided her through difficult early years. To honor that support, and to help fuel a strong Catholic community for the future, Jack established the Helen Potosnak Memorial Endowment in the Catholic Foundation.

John and Rose DeMarco are surely smiling from heaven as their son, Dale, says that everything about him was passed to him by his parents. The DeMarcos were faith-filled and practical people. Dale’s father was a full-time, blue-collar worker and his mother worked part-time when she wasn’t busy looking after her two sons.

Admiration for Monsignor James "Fr. Pete" Peterson and Bishop Lawrence Persico inspire gifts to the endowments bearing their names and supporting causes important to them.

It’s wonderful to imagine the number of students’ lives Fr. Joseph Gregorek touched during his long career as a college professor. Now, as he is planning his Catholic legacy, Fr. Joe is ensuring that the breadth of his life’s impact will expand in perpetuity through designated endowments in the Catholic Foundation.

Jim and Mary Margaret Malue were inspired to give by faith, community and friendship built throughout the years. Seeding a new endowment, and giving to help build another, fulfills their desire to give back.

Mary McCarthy shared her earthly blessings the same way she lived her life -- in faith, with purpose, and making impact. Later in life as she planned her legacy, she described faith as a spark that lights the way for people to look beyond themselves. Today, years after her death, Mary's endowments continue to light the way for the Catholic ministries that meant the most to her.

Inspired by legacy gifts from thoughtful donors, and with an eye for the future, the Catholic Charities Legacy Endowment has been established by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie, Inc. Bequests from longtime supporters of Catholic Charities, Msgr. William Biebel and Mark Kulyk, seeded this endowment which now offers an open invitation for others to follow their lead.

Through the Fox and Cenedella Endowment established in 2012, Dr. Stephen Cenedella continues to give generously to Saint Patrick Parish in Franklin. Because of his foresight and generosity, annual grants designated for Saint Patrick are available to the parish every year.

Reverend Leo Gallina established an endowment in 2012 for his childhood parish, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Church in Bradford, PA, to help fund the ongoing expenses of the church.