Giving Circles
Just as Marian empowers girls to succeed as confident, independent, thinking leaders, the women of Marian's Giving Circles are examples of leadership in their own right. These eight women of the Church devoted their lives to their faith, the betterment of their communities and improving the lives of others. Marian is humbled by their example and is proud to have so many generous benefactors who mirror their missions and visions for the future.
Patron of bodily ills and sickness
($10,000 +)
St. Juliana Falconieri played a significant role in the early development of the order of the Servants of Mary. She was inspired by and completely devoted to Our Lady of Sorrows and, because of this devotion, she held the most affectionate love for the Blessed Sacrament. As the Superioress of the Order, St. Juliana set a noble example for her fellow sisters through care of the sick, heroic deeds of charity and other works of mercy. She suffered from a disease of the stomach which prevented her from taking food, yet St. Juliana endured the agony silently with a constant cheerfulness which was an inspiration to those around her.
As a member of the St. Juliana Falconieri benefactor circle, you are making the same significant sacrifice the Servants of Mary did when, guided by their faith, they opened Marian High School in 1955.
Patron of headache sufferers and Spanish Catholic writers
($5,000-$9,999)
In 1970 St. Teresa of Avila was one of two women to be declared a Doctor of the Church. Suffering from a severe illness that left her legs paralyzed for three years, St. Teresa experienced a vision of “the sorely wounded Christ” that changed her life. She focused her faith on Christ’s passion and set her vision on the reformation of her order of Carmelites. Saint Teresa practiced mental prayer to keep Christ inside of her. She said, “Prayer is an act of love, words are not needed. Even if sickness distracts from thoughts, all that is needed is the will to love.”
Your support of Marian at the St. Teresa of Avila circle level speaks louder than words of your commitment to Marian.
Patron of immigrants and hospital administrators
($2,500-$4,999)
After teaching at an all-girl school for six years, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to care for poor children in schools and hospitals. Under the influence of Pope Leo XIII, St. Frances and six fellow nuns came to the United States to work among Italian immigrants. With a strong sense of administrative abilities and a deep trust in God, St. Frances was responsible for the establishment of nearly 70 orphanages, schools and hospitals. By the time of her death, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart had successfully set up houses in England, France, Spain, the United States and South America. Still fondly remembered by those who knew her, St. Frances’ spirit continues to be an inspiration.
Just as St. Frances put her trust in God, as a member of this giving circle, you are entrusting Marian with a significant gift that will sustain Marian’s mission and vision for the future.
Patron of racial justice
($1,000-$2,499)
St. Katharine Drexel was once a debutante and woman of high society. Her father and stepmother taught St. Katharine and her siblings by word and example that the wealth they had was a simple loan and was meant to be shared with others. St. Katharine shared her wealth with the poor and also took an avid interest in the spiritual well-being of African and Native Americans. She founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Native and African Americans, and, until her death in 1955, she dedicated her life and a fortune of $20 million to this cause. In addition to this work, St. Katharine also participated in the opening of the first mission school for Native Americans and founded Xavier University in New Orleans, the first Catholic University in the U.S. for African Americans. Due to her life-long dedication to her faith and selfless service to the less fortunate, she became the second native-born American saint.
Supporting Marian at this level continues St. Katharine’s belief in educating all people regardless of their race.
Patron of severely ill children, death of parents, widows and persecuted Catholics
($500-$999)
The first native-born American to be canonized, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton developed the Catholic school system as we know it. She founded the first American religious community for women, the Sisters of Charity. St. Elizabeth Ann also opened the first American parish school and established the first American Catholic orphanage. Today six groups of sisters trace their origins to St. Elizabeth Ann. Losing her mother at an early age, St. Elizabeth Ann found comfort in the idea that the Blessed Virgin is her true mother, asking the Blessed Virgin to guide her in her faith. St. Elizabeth Ann captivated those around her with her kindness, patience, good sense, wit and courtesy.
Being a benefactor of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton circle continues St. Elizabeth Ann’s mission of spreading the word of God through the Catholic school system she established.
Patron of Ireland and scholars
($250-$499)
St. Brigid was an extraordinary woman known for her high spirits and tender heart, undoubting faith, spirituality and boundless charity and compassion for those in need.
A close friend of St. Patrick, St. Brigid of Ireland developed her interest in religious life at a young age, taking the veil from St. Macaille at Croghan. After the year 470, St. Brigid founded a double monastery, the monastery of Kildare on the Liffey for both monks and nuns, where all were equal. Many accounts record that St. Brigid served as the first Abbess of the convent in Ireland. Over time, the monastery of Kildare on the Liffey was developed into a center of learning and spirituality.
Being a member of the St. Brigid of Ireland giving circle reflects your dedication to empowering women to be leaders and your compassion to help those young women who need it.
Patron of the environment and ecology
($100-$249)
The daughter of a Mohawk warrior, St. Kateri Tekakwitha found faith through struggles in her life. She lost her mother to smallpox at the age of four and suffered from the same disease, resulting in a severely transfigured face. Much to the dismay of her tribe, she was baptized at the age of 20 and devoted herself entirely to Jesus Christ and the Eucharist. Devotion to St. Kateri, also known as “Lily of the Mohawks,” is responsible for the establishment of many Native American ministries in Catholic churches all over the United States.
Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha was canonized in Rome on Oct. 21, 2012. The process for Tekakwitha's canonization was initiated by United States Catholics in 1884, followed by Canadian Catholics. On Jan. 3, 1943, Pope Pius XII declared her venerable. She was beatified as Catherine Tekakwitha on June 22, 1980 by Pope John Paul II. On Dec. 19, 2011, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints certified a second miracle through her intercession, signed by Pope Benedict XVI, which paved the way for pending canonization. She is the first Native American woman to be elevated to sainthood.
Being a member of the St. Kateri Tekakwitha benefactor circle emulates the sacrifice Kateri had to endure for her faith.
Patron of the missions
(Up to $99)
With fierce determination and faith, St. Therese of Lisieux sought permission from the Holy Father himself to enter the Carmelite Convent at the unusually young age of 15. St. Therese was raised in an atmosphere of faith, where every virtue and aspiration were carefully nurtured and developed. This resulted in St. Therese becoming a Patroness of Missionaries who founded “the little way” – doing simple but powerful things for the love of God. In 1997, she was given the title “Doctor of the Church” because of her spiritual legacy, the “little way.” This young Saint was also known as the “Little Flower.”
Supporting Marian at this level shows that all gifts can make a powerful difference.
Valued Marian alumna and Administrative Assistant in Creighton’s Ratio Studiorum Program, Maureen Pope Beat ’80, undertook the challenge of transforming the written stories of each saint into concrete illustrations. Using her God-given talents as an artist, Maureen was able to paint the stories of these holy women one brushstroke at a time.
“I was absolutely honored and thrilled to be asked to do them,” said Beat. “With direction from Sue Mickey, Marian Fund director, I read up on the background and significance of each saint. I also visited St. Frances Cabrini Church and took a good look at the statue of her.”