Bishop's Mardi Gras works to raise building, renovation funds

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Saturday's Third Annual Bishop's Mardi Gras, which featured Sister Dianna Ortiz as the guest speaker, was sponsored by the Catholic Peoples Foundation.

Dan Sanchez, the foundation's director, said the mission of the organization is to generate funds to support the work of diocesan projects in the Diocese of Gallup. The foundation was established in 1998 through the efforts of the late Father Michael Mack, he explained.

For the last three years, the foundation has staged the Mardi Gras events to raise funds to assist churches and missions with building and renovation needs. The Mardi Gras events include dinner, guest speakers, music, silent auctions, and raffles. "We have set a goal of $60,000," Sanchez said, "but we've never hit it yet."

The first year raised about $27,000, he said, and last year's event raised about $25,000. Sixty percent of the funds are being set aside for a building and renovation fund, which will eventually offer low interest loans to churches and missions. According to Sanchez, the foundation must raise a minimum amount of $200,000 before it will begin to make those loans. The first two Mardi Gras events have raised about $31,000 thus far, he said.

Forty percent of the funds are earmarked for grants to churches and missions that need modest financial gifts relating to renovations or repairs.

Last year three parishes received grants from the proceeds of the first Mardi Gras. "We had $11,000, and we split it up three ways," said Sanchez. Sacred Heart Parish in Waterflow, N.M. received $5,500, St. Anne's Mission in Klagetoh, Ariz. received $5,000, and St. Joseph Parish in Keams Canyon, Ariz. received $500.

"This year we will be presenting a $10,000 check to St. Francis Mission in Reserve, N.M.," said Sanchez, who explained the money will pay for a new roof.

For more information about the Catholic Peoples Foundation, contact Sanchez at (505) 726- 8295 or cpf@cpfnm.org or www.cpfnm.org.