Welcome to Your Catholic Foundation... Faith Empowered

I am thrilled you are with us today. Allow me to welcome you to The Catholic Foundation on behalf of the dedicated Board members who come from all corners of the Diocese. We hope The Foundation will serve as the catalyst for your philanthropy. Giving is a personal, powerful expression of faith. It is important that you know the flexible ways in which you may support your Catholic faith now and in the future. The beautiful process of matching one of your ideas with an, as yet, unfilled opportunity or need, is an honor which we value. Sometimes this process stirs an emotion that is hard to describe.

Know that I am eager to talk with you about your ideas. Maybe an idea has been in the back of your mind for some time, or possibly it just occurred to you. Either way, a chat or visit at your convenience is only a click, email, or phone call away. What really matters to you? Listen to your heart. Do you have a passion for music ministry... youth leadership... your Church... your school... people in need... Catholic education or something else? Together, we will plan the future.

With gratitude,


Emma Lee McCloskey, Ed.D., CFRE
President, The Catholic Foundation


The Catholic Foundation Board of Directors

Mr. Mark Horstman, Chairman
Mr. Clifford Lane, Vice Chairman
Mrs. Mary McCarthy, Secretary
Mr. Steve Hessmann, Treasurer
Dr. Joanne Carlburg
Atty. R. Edward Ferraro
Mrs. Karen Burton Horstman
Mr. John Hudson
Mr. Mark Kulyk
Msgr. Daniel Magraw
Mr. James W. Martin, CFRE
Mr. James O’Mara
Mrs. Joyce Ravnikar-Kulyk
Mrs. Cheryl Vicary
Deacon Joseph Cicero, Ex-Officio
Msgr. Robert Smith, V.G., Ex-Officio
Dr. Emma Lee McCloskey, Ex-Officio


Check Out Our Monthly Feature Articles:

Help, Hard Work and Happiness
Dr. Stephen Cenedella is no stranger to the value of hard work. He took on his first jobs in fifth grade as a newspaper carrier and babysitter. He worked all the way through college to help support himself. More

Don't Miss Your Chance: Make Tax-Free Gifts From Your IRA Today!
If you are 70½ or older, the extended charitable IRA rollover legislation benefits you! While easy to accomplish, this tax-smart gift option enables you to jump-start your legacy and witness the benefits of your generosity to The Catholic Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Take a moment to review the questions and answers here to see if this arrangement is right for you. More

Historical Figures Say: The Butler Did It
Pick your executor or administrator carefully. He needs to be up to the job—and honest. More

Should Estate Planning Be Called Life Planning?
Guess what! If you have belongings, you have an estate. And without a plan, your estate could be subject to what the courts decide in case anything happens to you. More

Find a Gift That Works for You
You've always answered the call to help others, and now that you want to extend that support through gifts of treasure, where do you start? It's easiest to begin with what you know—your overall goals. Use this checklist to match your wishes with the right charitable path for you. More

A Donation That Pays You Back
Because you are one of our most valued donors, we are providing you with this educational message on how you can transform your support of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie into a reliable stream of income for the rest of your life. The appeal of fixed, dependable payments to you or someone you designate has inspired a number of our supporters to create this special type of donation. More