On Christmas morning 2024, while many families were unwrapping gifts beneath twinkling trees, Carolyn Taylor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish received her own bittersweet but sacred gift. After a battle with lung cancer, her husband, Bill, took his last earthly breath. 

“People may say it would make Christmas very difficult now,” she reflects,“on the contrary, my Bill was such a generous soul. He loved Christmas and loved giving gifts more than he loved receiving them. What a wonderful gift he received on his favorite day of the year – the gift of meeting his Creator – face to face!”

That same spirit of faith and generosity shapes Carolyn’s ongoing commitment to the Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). “It’s just part of my duty to God,” she explains, “not only to support my local parish, but to join with a greater group of Catholics to support what we are called to do for His Church and its mission in our world. CMA covers it all!”

Carolyn and Bill entered the Catholic Church together in 2012 and became parishioners at St. Charles in 2015. Since then, they’ve given to every CMA campaign, finding that in giving, their own faith was strengthened. “By being a blessing to others through our financial contributions, we become blessed.” 

One of those blessings was their friendship with Fr. Chibueze Asiegbulem, a newly-ordained archdiocesan priest originally from Nigeria. “His joyous spirit, obvious love of the Lord, and concern for others immediately drew us to him. We quickly became friends – no, more than just friends – we became his ‘adopted’ American parents!” Through him, they developed a deep appreciation for seminary formation and priestly ministry supported by the CMA.

That relationship became a source of strength during Bill’s illness. Fr. Chibueze and other priests supported the couple and provided Bill with the sacraments near the end of his life, with Fr. Chibueze administering the Viaticum with Last Rites. 

Today, Carolyn continues to give to the CMA, her parish, and other outreach programs. “Giving creates a sense of focusing on others rather than just myself. We are all called to be a blessing to others – and besides that, giving makes you feel good!” 

In the warmth of her faith and the memory of her husband’s giving heart, Carolyn sees the fruits of generosity all around her. “Since then, Fr. Chibueze has remained by my side, supporting me like a good son would do for his mother,” she adds with a smile. “We have more holy priests to come from our seminary who need our support, and the Lord knows we need them!”

Article by Lisa Fletcher