By Marie Galetto-Dugoni
Saint Elizabeth Parish in Milpitas, a vibrant and active parish with a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, received several grants from the Catholic Community Foundation’s Spring Grant Cycle in 2024. These grants, awarded across five different program areas, will enrich the parish’s outreach, stewardship, and faith formation initiatives. With these grants, the parish is able to enhance its programs that serve hundreds of families, youth, and individuals in the parish and broader community, fostering a spirit of service and spiritual growth.
“Many hands make light work,” said Jasmine Fernando, the Business Manager of Saint Elizabeth Parish. “We are grateful for the support from the Catholic Community Foundation. It’s because of these generous grants that we’re able to continue reaching out to those in need and expanding the ways we serve our community.”
Parish Outreach Grant: Providing Holiday Meals to Families in Need
The Parish Outreach grant supported the parish’s holiday food distribution program, which has been a beacon of hope for local families in need since its inception in 2020. The grant enabled Saint Elizabeth to provide fresh food, turkeys, and hams for 16 families’ holiday meals during Christmastime — gifts that would not be possible with donations alone. The church’s partnership with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Knights of Columbus has made this project a long-standing tradition of giving.
The outreach team works tirelessly to ensure families receive a custom food basket that best meets their needs. Volunteers, often numbering between 20-30, hand-pick items for each family as they prepare the holiday baskets. This personal touch makes a world of difference for those receiving the food.
“At the end of the day, I thank God because I saw a lot of smiling faces. It’s heartwarming to know that our efforts make a difference in the lives of so many families.”
Jasmine Fernando, Business Manager
Parish Stewardship Grant: Enhancing Engagement with New Sound Systems
The Parish Stewardship grant allowed Saint Elizabeth to enhance its sound system, ensuring that everyone can participate in important parish events. By installing additional speakers both inside and outside the church, the parish can now host events like the outdoor Stations of the Cross with higher engagement and greater accessibility for all participants.
The labor-intensive project was made possible by the church’s dedicated team of volunteer sound engineers, with the grant funding the purchase of the equipment needed for both indoor and outdoor settings. This upgrade ensures that parishioners of all ages can hear and engage in spiritual events, regardless of where they are located within the church grounds.
Pastoral Ministry Training and Formation Grant: Supporting Youth Programs
The Pastoral Ministry Training and Formation grant helped fund several youth and catechetical programs at Saint Elizabeth. These programs play a pivotal role in the faith formation of over 400 young people.
The parish’s bilingual youth programs continue to grow, with offerings for English, Spanish, and Vietnamese-speaking students. The vibrant Vietnamese TNTT youth group is one of the largest and most impactful programs, serving nearly 325 youth. The cost of providing programs for such a large number of youth is high, and the grant from the Catholic Community Foundation helps ensure that retreats and activities remain accessible to all.
“Our faith formation programs are a vital part of building strong, faithful communities for the future. This grant helps us provide resources for the catechists, materials, and experiences that make these programs successful.”
Rev. Andy Ligot, Pastor of Saint Elizabeth Parish
Building a Stronger Community, One Grant at a Time
Each of the five grants received by Saint Elizabeth Parish directly supports the church’s mission to foster a diverse and welcoming community, fostering a deeper love of Christ through worship and service. From providing meals to families in need, to enhancing the worship experience for parishioners, and supporting youth formation, the impact of these grants is deeply felt across the parish and beyond.
The partnership between Saint Elizabeth Parish and the Catholic Community Foundation highlights the power of collaboration. As Jasmine Fernando summed it up, “Many hands make light work,” a sentiment that reflects the heart of the Saint Elizabeth community—working together to spread love, care, and faith.