Pope Pius XI founded CNEWA 85 years ago. (You can read about how the agency started right here – and also read the first chapters of John Gavin Nolan’s memoir about CNEWA’s early years at this link). Well, last week, I heard from a donor who has been supporting our work for 70 of those 85 years!
If anyone deserves the title of Most Dedicated Donor it just might be Clarence B. of Minnesota!
In a letter, he shared the story of his decades-long devotion to Christ’s poor and to CNEWA:
I was born on 8 December 1918. Guess who my patron saint is? The Blessed Virgin Mary. I just celebrated my 70th wedding anniversary. My wife Lorraine and I have 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and more coming. I think we are doing God’s plan.
I had a brother who had 12 children. Times have changed. Not all of them attend Mass. I had another brother who was a Protonotary Apostolic of Dallas, Tex., in the 60’s. He would have had them going to church!
I’ve given to your agency since my marriage… I’m sorry I can’t give you thousands of dollars, but charity starts at home, and with 31 grandchildren I try to do my best. I pray for your agency. God bless us all.
If you’d like to follow in Clarence B.’s footsteps, there are lots of ways to support the work of CNEWA around the world. Visit this page for more information.