Speaker `practices what he preaches,’ Roman says
By Fabvienen Taylor
JACKSON — Stewardship means putting God first, said the speaker at the Catholic Foundation 36th Annual Membership Dinner and Meeting on Thursday, April 23, at the Country Club of Jackson.
“It’s about how we spend our time, how we love, how we use the gifts God has given us,” Father Richard Somers, Greenville St. Joseph pastor, said.
George Roman, director of the Catholic Foundation, said “Father Somers has a deep spirituality and sense of stewardship.”
“It is an honest and integral part of his life and people can see that. He calls others to do the same as he does,” he said.
“Father Somers preaches what he practices,” Roman said. “For example, he established a memorial trust for his parents, Richard and Mary Somers, and gives generously and regularly to it,” Roman said.
Charles Adams, foundation president, said Father Somers was invited to speak “because he is building something extraordinary for and with the Catholic community in Greenville.”
He said in September 2001, St. Joseph Parish and Father Somers started with eight foundation trusts and assets of $308, 000.
“Today, just seven years later, St. Joseph has 32 trusts and $1,325,000,” he said.
During the same period, Adams said, St. Joseph Church was refurbished and a new St. Joseph School, seventh-12th grade, was built.
Roman thought the foundation could benefit from knowing how the St. Joseph community came to be such active stewards.
“Father Somers motivated his parishioners to live the way of the Gospel, to live in Christ’s love and respond to that love with a life of stewardship and he presented the foundation as one way to share their blessings,” he said.
In other business, it was announced Michael Dowell, Jackson St. Peter parishioner who works for the financial firm Smith Barney, was recently named by Barron’s magazine as one of the top 1,000 financial advisers in the United States and number one in the state of Mississippi.
“Mike Dowell is co-chair of our investment committee. He really shares his time, talent and treasure with the foundation,” said Roman.
“His superior expertise has brought security and trust to the members and donors of the foundation.”
The Bishop William R. Houck Stewardship Award was presented to Thomas Chady of Vicksburg St. Michael Parish and Dr. Leon Lenoir of Greenville St. Joseph.
The award is given to members who reflect Bishop Houck’s spirit of stewardship in sharing their time, talents and treasures with the foundation.
