The St. Margaret de Castello Endowment Fund was started in 2021 to provide support for Catholic schools, organizations that help individuals and families in need, and organizations that help families with special needs children.
One of God’s servants who lives with Usher Syndrome, an inherited disease which causes blindness and hearing loss, named the fund for St. Margaret de Castello, the patron saint for people who are disabled or blind.
Celebrating a Conversion: Honoring a Milestone Along a Faith Journey
Luanne Heideman Endowment Fund
Thirty-seven years ago, Michael and Luanne Heideman married and set out on a colorful and adventure-filled life, spending years working and living in Japan and here in Atlanta, Georgia. While in Atlanta, their family became very involved at the Cathedral of Christ the King and at St. Pius X Catholic High School, where some of their children attended school. The parish and school communities provided innumerable opportunities for friendship and spiritual development for them.
Although she grew up Protestant, Luanne was an active participant in the greater Catholic community in Atlanta, particularly through her children’s schools and the parish she attended with her family. Having had Catholicism as a major cornerstone of her life since her marriage to Michael, Luanne decided with the support and celebration of her family to officially convert, and she became Catholic.
Michael wanted to commemorate the celebration of his wife’s decision to enter the Catholic Church with something besides physical objects or worldly gifts. Luanne’s spiritual decision was a culminating moment not only in her life, but also for her marriage to Michael and their relationship with their local community. When Michael’s son suggested celebrating Luanne’s decision by immortalizing the very values and principles of service and community Luanne embodied through an endowment fund, Michael knew it was a great fit. He shared, “it’s not a one-time gift—here’s a nice piece of jewelry, congratulations. This is something that lasts forever and helps others, helps the community, helps something that’s very important to her.”
The Luanne Heideman Endowment Fund supports general operating costs, school improvements and expansion, faculty support, and tuition assistance for Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School. For the Heidemans, the fund reflects the values and principles of faith, service, and community around which they built a marriage, life, and family, and it was through their partnership with the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia that Michael Heideman was able to create such a legacy for his wife.
The Julien Antoine Special Needs Endowment Fund will award grants to nonprofits or Catholic organizations that provide medical assistance, social opportunities, life skills, and vocational training for children and adults with special needs.
The fund was set up by LaRhonda Julien and named after her son. She shared, “The fund was established in honor of my son who was diagnosed as autistic after many years of doctors and hospital visits searching for answers and quest for appropriate support.” She hopes this fund will help ensure individuals with disabilities are able to access critical services and help families overcome obstacles to receive those services.
Celebrating a Conversion: Honoring a Milestone Along a Faith Journey
The Julien Antoine Special Needs Endowment Fund will award grants to nonprofits or Catholic organizations that provide medical assistance, social opportunities, life skills, and vocational training for children and adults with special needs.