CFU event thanks donors, welcomes Bishop Solis

Friday, Mar. 24, 2017

SALT LAKE CITY — Hundreds of Catholics turned out to greet Bishop Oscar A. Solis during three Catholic Foundation of Utah events March 14-15.

The CFU is a nonprofit corporation that manages financial endowments whose income benefits parishes and missions, schools, Catholic Community Services and other organizations within the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Created in 1984, the CFU now manages more than 300 endowments that help support numerous ministries such as the formation of seminarians and priests, religious education, the Cathedral of the Madeleine and Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, among many others.

Last year, the foundation distributed almost $800,000 to the various projects, properties and ministries that benefit from the endowments, said John B. Wilson, president of the CFU’s Board of Trustees, at the event held in the evening of March 14 at the Tower at Rice Eccles Stadium.

The events not only celebrated the donors’ generosity and the success of the CFU, but also welcomed Bishop Solis, who was installed as 10th Bishop of Salt Lake City a week earlier, Wilson said.

Bishop Solis opened his comments by thanking those gathered. 

“I am delighted to be able to share with you this special moment, because sharing is an important tradition of our religion,” he said. “God shared his love for us, and his sharing has become the foundation of our Christian life; it has become the operating principle of our belief in God. After all, he is the source of blessing.” 

Sharing God’s gifts is an effective way to carry out the Church’s mission of evangelization, the bishop said. “In our world today, we clearly understand that money is an important resource and powerful tool at our disposal. It is essential not only to sustain and nourish life, it is also important and essential in pursuing our mission and works of charity. … Thank you for your generosity, and I hope that we can continue this wonderful work of making a difference in our Diocese of Salt Lake City through your work of charity.”

To commemorate the bishop’s appointment, the “In Honor of The Most Rev. Oscar A. Solis Endowment” was created; it will benefit Catholic Community Services of Utah and the Cathedral of the Madeleine’s Good Samaritan Program. 

Anyone who wishes may contribute any amount to this endowment. Wilson asked that those present consider making such a contribution, saying it would be a wonderful way to celebrate Bishop Solis’ arrival and show appreciation for his being in Utah.

Contributions of any amount also may be made to other endowments, or new endowments may be created; bequests also may be made through estate planning.

CCS is the beneficiary not only of the Bishop Solis endowment but also the Pamela J. Atkinson Endowment and 18 others. CCS provides numerous services for the needy, including the Saint Vincent de Paul dining hall and the Weigand Homeless Resource Center in Salt Lake City and the Joyce Hansen Hall food bank in Ogden; as well as helping refugees through the Refugee Resettlement and Foster Care programs.

Pamela Atkinson was present at the March 14 evening event. Wilson thanked her for coming, calling her “a tireless advocate for the forgotten in our city.” 

For information about the CFU, or to contribute to the In Honor of The Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis Endowment, contact Jennifer Carroll, CFU executive director, at 801-456-9306.