Memorial Gifts...
A Wonderful Option

The Cruz Family Legacy
A Reflection
by Mark Roberti

    Father David Cruz is a well-Known priest for the Diocese of Lubbock, currently on assignment as the rector of Assumption Seminary in San Antonio. His mother, Margarita Ramirez Cruz, was recently born into the splendor of eternal life.

    From the memorial contributions that have come to the Diocese of Lubbock Catholic Foundation in her memory, I can say without hesitation that this woman, her husband, Florentino, and their children count many, many people as friends and brothers and sisters in the faith. They are also good stewards who give back to God in gratitude.

    Within 15 minutes of hearing the news of Margarita's death, I received a call from members of her family. After I expressed my condolences, I was asked what the normal procedure is for making cards available for people to contribute to the Catholic Foundation!

    I was more than a little embarrassed to say that I had never had such a request. In the gracious style that is characteristic of the Cruz family, I was asked if I could get memorial cards to the funeral home and Saint John Neumann Church.

    Sometimes we forget the simple things. Everyone seems to know that the families of our deceased can give to the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society...all good causes.

    But we can also make memorial gifts to the Catholic Foundation. In a very real sense you can do more good by giving your memorial to the Catholic Foundation because your gift is like offering up a spiritual bouquet to God in the name of the deceased. The deceased is listed in our book of intercessions, intentions offered up by Bishop Rodríguez during the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass at the Catholic Center.

    Our faith teaches us that we can still help our loved ones who precede us in death by offering prayers, alms, and sacrifice. What greater prayer is there than the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

    The purpose of the Catholic Foundation is to provide a mechanism for those who have preceded us in death to "reach back from heaven" and leave a legacy that lasts forever. In reality, it is a final act of stewardship - one which we can all participate through memorial gifts.

    Many thanks to the Cruz family for remembering the Catholic Foundation. Your beloved Margarita is now one with Christ. The Diocese of Lubbock will remember her.

If you need memorial cards for any reason, please The Catholic Pastoral Center at (806)792-3943.