Joe and Kathy Smith were at a turning point in their philanthropy, a time for reflection, not only on their personal faith but also on the future of the Church. From a practical perspective, they recognized a need that struck at the heart of their family’s faith journey—they needed priests to administer the sacraments now, and their children and grandchildren would need them in the future too.
With a growing awareness of the challenges facing the priesthood, the Smiths set out to make a meaningful difference. “We were re-evaluating our charitable giving,” Kathy explained. “And from a selfish standpoint, we saw that priests were essential for our lives—and would be for generations to come.”
Kathy’s background as an executive at a non-profit organization provided increased insight. She understood the critical importance of financial support for seminarians and priests. To that end, the Smiths established The Smith and Wendelken Family Endowment Fund in the Catholic Community Foundation, a fund designed to support both seminarians and priests in need of financial assistance for their education and continued formation.
“There was no grand inspiration from any one priest,” Joe said. “It wasn’t about any individual. It was about being intentional with our giving and making a difference for the Church’s future.”
The process of establishing the fund was surprisingly simple. Joe and Kathy met with Jim Edwards, then-Director of the Foundation, and within two weeks, the fund was set up. “It was seamless,” Joe said. “We were signing the agreement in no time.”
The Smith and Wendelken Family Endowment Fund provides vital resources not only for seminarians just beginning their priestly journeys but also for priests already in ministry, seeking advanced studies. “We wanted all priests and seminarians to benefit from our fund,” Kathy added. “It was about strengthening the Church today and into the future.”
Father Steven Roth, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese, underscored the profoundly beneficial impact such endowments have on the Church. “By lessening financial burdens on our seminarians and priests,” he said, “endowments like The Smith and Wendelken Family Endowment Fund help ensure that the Church continues to thrive with an ever-rich pipeline of strong, dedicated leaders.”
For anyone considering making a similar commitment, Joe offers a simple piece of advice: “To borrow the Nike line—JUST DO IT…but also, pray about the decision. Can you commit to establishing a fund and to continuing to support it?”
Their decision to establish The Smith and Wendelken Family Endowment Fund took on even more significance later when Joe and Kathy learned that three of their grandsons—brothers—were all in the process of discerning calls to the priesthood, a revelation that further reinforced their decision.
As they reflected further, the Smiths were quick to acknowledge that the decision to establish the fund was clearly God’s plan. “Ultimately, it wasn’t our idea,” Kathy said. “It was His.”
