Fr. Todd Foundation helping local church parishes make a difference

A reader sent me the following invitation.

You are cordially invited to

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Traditionally, Dec. 25 but any day will do because he is always around

Time: Whenever you are ready

(Please do not be late because you will miss all the fun!)

Place: In your heart. He will meet you there.

(You will hear him knocking.)

Attire: Come as you are. Grubbies are OK. He will be washing your clothes anyway.

He has new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free. He has already paid for everyone.

(He says you could not afford it anyway. It cost him everything he had.

However, you do need to accept the ticket!)

Refreshments: New wine, special bread, and a special drink he calls “Living Water.”

A banquet will follow that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: Your life. He is one of those people who already has everything else.

(He is very generous in return though. Just wait until you see what he has for you!)

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity Life, Contentment, and much more!

(All “G” rated, so bring your family and friends.)

R.S.V.P. Very Important! He must know ahead so he can reserve a spot for you at the table.

Also, he is keeping a list of his friends for future reference. He calls it the “Book of Life.”

His kids are giving the party (that is us!) Hope to see you there!

Share this invitation with someone today!

In a previous article, I mentioned that I had started the Father Willie Todd Foundation “to provide startup grants to organizations in a church parish within the boundaries of the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese that promotes educational, ministerial, and social programs.”

To help me in the decision making process, I established a board of trustees consisting of five members: one priest, one religious and three laypersons.

This past year, the foundation was able to collect more than $100,000. The interest available for use at the end of the year was $4,000. The foundation helped nine different parishes fund projects.

Monies were given to defray the cost of additional liturgical material for a religious education program. The foundation also provided some seed money for a young adult ministry to buy basic supplies. It helped sponsor a workshop on social justice teachings. And we helped a mission parish buy supplies for its vacation Bible school.

The foundation also provided funds for a parish to put on a retreat for its religious education teachers; helped a youth ministry provide a game night entertainment for teenagers; and made funds available for the Native American community to buy five drums for their various religious services. It also sponsored two people to go to a workshop to help them deal with the aftermath of a hurricane.

I want to continue to build up the fund in the foundation so more money can be available. If you would like to donate to this fund, make checks payable to The Greater New Orleans Foundation. In the memo area, write Fr. Willie Todd Foundation. Send the check to me at 267 Klondyke Road, Bourg, LA 70301. All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you.