COMMUNITY
tvc.dsj.org | May 23, 2017
9
On a Firm Foundation: “Hamilton” and Legacy
By Mary Quilici Aumack
Executive Director
The Catholic Community
Foundation
Last week I had the great good for-
tune to be the guest of my friend Evye
for a performance of “Hamilton” in San
Francisco. In anticipation, I listened to
the soundtrack at least 20 times, and
fell in love with the music and the story.
Sometimes, when anticipating such an
event, the actual experience may disap-
point. That most certainly was not the
case. Both Evye and I were simply swept
away in the music and the incredible
narrative.
This show is a force on many levels.
Central to its message is the “retelling”
of the story of Alexander Hamilton.
One of the great lines is “Who tells your
story?” When you watch this show (and
listen repeatedly as I have), you learn
that “Hamilton” can be defi ned by many
key attributes: passion, commitment,
tenacity, courage, brilliance.
When someone “tells your story,”
what words do you hope will be used?
For my story, I think there are three
categories: Extremely important: Faith,
Family, Eucharist; Important: Connect-
ing, Business Planning, Endowment,
Execution. Just fun: Cooking, baking,
and skiing. I would think there might
be mention of the schools I attended, our
parish, and the Foundation.
Legacy is not just about remembering.
It is much more about continuing. Think
of legacy as taking the most important
parts of your “story” and giving them
FOREVER VALUE.
Hamilton’s wife Eliza took up the
task of both remembering and continu-
ing. After Aaron Burr killed Hamilton
in a duel, Eliza lived another 50 years.
She worked to preserve his memory and
further the causes in which he believed.
She raised money for the Washington
Monument. She advocated against
slavery.
Where do we want our “continuing”
to be evidenced? For Doug and me it’s
through our Family Endowment with
the Foundation. We will designate a
specifi c portion of our estate to fund
our endowment. As of now there are
fi ve equal benefi ciaries: St. Mary par-
ish, The Foundation, Catholic Charities,
Santa Clara University and Notre Dame
High School. We have no idea how much
money will be in the endowment – it de-
pends on when we die. We do know that
through this wonderful mechanism,
each of the benefi ciary organizations
will receive an annual distribution –
FOREVER.
If Alexander Hamilton had planned
a family endowment, we could imagine
what organizations may have been the
benefi ciaries. It is clear that he favored
the abolition of slavery. Perhaps he
would have directed his future giving
to activism. He was deeply involved in
the fi nancial structuring of our country.
Perhaps he would have designated the
business program at a prestigious uni-
versity. Just imagine…
However you choose to implement
a legacy plan, I hope that you will con-
sider including your parish or other
ministry that you feel has been forma-
tive and important for you and your
family. A permanent gift is a beautiful
way to both be remembered and know
that your support will be continued –
FOREVER.
For more information regarding the
Catholic Community Foundation, visit
www.cfoscc.org, or call (408) 995-5219.
May Celebrates Mental Health Matters
From the Diocese of San Jose Mental
Health Ministry Network (MHMN)
to Candlelight Prayer Vigils for those
affected by mental illness, parishes,
schools, and the Diocese seek to promote
mental health and well being.
Chris Miller, co-chair of MHMN and
Saint Christopher youth minister, notes
one in four people are aff ected by mental
illness. Many turn fi rst to faith leaders for
support, only to face rejection or be given
incorrect information. Lived experience
drives Miller’s commitment to mental
health ministry.
“I began as youth minister in Palo
Alto, just after a second teenager died by
suicide. Three more followed. I became
involved in teens’ mental health. Howev-
er, I couldn’t understand what compelled
a teen to jump in front of a train. In 2013,
while working on the east coast, I fell into
deep depression with suicidal thoughts.
Then I grasped depression’s eff ect.”
Miller, who joined the Church in 2001
as a Santa Clara University student, will
work with the California Bishops to
write a mental health statement. He also
co-chairs the Mental Health Council for
the National Catholic Partnership for
Disabilities.
Miller adds, “There are good online
trainings and resources for pastors and
others, who work with those aff ected by
mental health challenges.” Miller hopes
these trainings will be mandated for
Diocesan staff .
Santa Teresa parishioner Rich Ber-
ryessa says, “I taught psychology for 15
years. However, my knowledge of mental
illness was limited until it hit home.”
Rich’s son Brian died by suicide Feb. 14,
2007. Brian’s death propelled Rich and
his wife Kristie to end the silence about
mental illness. Working with former
pastor Father Christopher Bennett and
Pastoral Associate Lynda DeManti,
Berryessa advocated for mental health
awareness. Under Father George Aranha,
mental health continues as a project of
the parish’s Social Action Ministry. Santa
Teresa holds an annual Candlelight Vigil
to honor those with mental illness. The
parish marks Mental Health Months in
May and October with bulletin articles
and Sunday Mass intercessions for those
with mental illness. DeManti, whose
family members have experienced
depression adds, “In our vestibule, we
display information from the National
Alliance of Mental Illness about mental
illness, support groups, and danger signs
signaling take action now.”
For information, contact Chris Miller
at [email protected].
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