Dear friend of the Catholic Library Association,
Each year, the Catholic Library Association makes its annual appeal for donations to our Heritage Fund on the Feast of St. Jerome (September 30). The theme of this year’s CLA Heritage Fund Appeal is, “Thank God Ahead of Time” in honor of the beatification of the Venerable Solanus Casey, an American-born Capuchin priest who will be beatified on November 18 in Detroit. Father Solanus’s purpose in life was to console and to encourage. He brought about peace by a kindly insistence on our right relationship to—and dependence on—God and neighbor.
Stewardship is the grateful giving of our time, talent, and treasure in return for God’s many blessings. The Catholic Library Association is a stewardship association. A true understanding of stewardship is an attitude of mind and heart expressed in action. I invite you to take part in the work of our Association by making a charitable contribution to the CLA Heritage Fund. Your contribution enables CLA to serve our members by expanding services and providing new opportunities for the future growth of the Association. Father Solanus said it well when he declared: “We should ever be grateful for and love the vocation to which God has called us. This applies to every vocation because, after all, what a privilege it is to serve God, even in the least capacity!”
Your continued support ensures CLA will remain the voice of Catholic librarians and Catholic library workers in future years. Any gift, large or small, is treasured, and there are many ways to donate. One time financial donations are most welcome as are smaller annual contributions, which can result in a substantial gift over time. I find it is especially meaningful when you make a donation in honor of someone who has mentored you or has made a meaningful impact on your career. Making a donation in someone’s memory is also significant, and the CLA office is happy to notify family members if you provide them with this information.
Please know that your generous financial help is greatly appreciated. Clearly, donors to the Heritage Fund change lives. Won’t you consider donating, too? You may do so online at cathla.org, or you may simply send a check to the CLA Office at the address below. If you wish to pay over the phone, that is fine as well. You might also consider leaving us a bequest in your will or trust.
Thank you for your consideration,
N. Curtis Le May
President, Catholic Library Association
8550 United Plaza Blvd, Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70809