The Archbishop’s Circle began in the spring of 2016 and now consists of nearly 50 households representing about 75 individuals. The Circle is comprised of individuals who donate funds to special projects and initiatives identified by Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone. (image from Catholic San Francisco)

In the current fiscal year, this includes sending seminarians to Lourdes on a pilgrimage, implementing stewardship in various parishes, beginning a Hispanic School of Leadership and supporting the Rosary Rally, the Walk for Life and a marriage and family life program.

Members of the Archbishop’s Circle range in age from their 20s to over 90 and come from a diversity of backgrounds and professions, including programmers, attorneys, insurance people, a judge, bankers and retirees. The Circle members have contributed annual amounts ranging from the minimum threshold for membership of $3,000 up to $50,000.

Circle members gather a few times each year for spiritual enrichment and social interaction. In 2017, they spent a day at St. Patrick’s Seminary and enjoyed Advent and Lenten retreats. “The exciting part of participating in the Archbishop’s Circle comes not only from the sense of belonging to the greater purpose of the church’s mission, but also from the fellowship and camaraderie fostered by the many social and spiritual activities that allow us to grow in charity and serve our brothers and sisters in communion,” commented Circle members Jorge and Alicia Marra of St. Patrick Parish, Larkspur.

Archbishop Cordileone introduced the Circle projects for FY 2018-2019 at the conclusion of the recent Advent Retreat. The focus on seminarians, marriage and family life, the Walk for Life and Rosary Rally remain, and new projects include a Deacon’s Assistance Fund, support for a program at Most Holy Redeemer Parish in San Francisco that feeds the needy, marketing for Catholic schools, seed funds for a health clinic providing family care in accordance with Catholic teaching, and several others.

Full story at Catholic San Francisco.