TRYON — Sometimes a small initial gift can grow to have a tremendous impact. That is certainly the case with the Bernardine and Marshall Monroe Memorial Endowment Fund, established in 2015 to assist with the general needs of St. John the Baptist Parish in Tryon.
Bernardine Brodzinski was born in Helmetta, New Jersey. She relocated first to Chicago and later to Columbus, North Carolina, with her husband Marshall Monroe in 1992. Upon moving, the couple became members of St. John the Baptist Parish, where they remained lifelong parishioners. She was active in the community, volunteering at Steps for Hope Thrift Store for 20 years.
When her husband died on Sept. 1, 2015, Bernardine Monroe established an endowment fund with an initial gift of $5,000 in his honor.
“This endowment, created by faithful parishioners, will help ensure that the needs of the parish are taken care of in years to come,” said Father Matthew Buettner, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish.
“It is a beautiful testament to their love of the Church and their desire to continue to help us do God’s work,” he said.
An endowment is a permanent fund, the principal of which is invested – not spent – that generates income to help pay for projects and programs specified by the donor.
Endowments are tax deductible and help sustain the strength and viability of the diocese and its entities, paying for capital improvements, charitable outreach, education and parish operations.
Over the years, Bernadine Monroe contributed additional gifts, giving $10,000 in 2018, 2021 and 2022 and making a final gift of $26,970 in 2023 before her death. While the total funding given by Bernardine was just over $60,000, the fund has now grown to a market value of more than $82,000.
“These type of gifts, given over time, can have a long-standing impact on the churches, schools and ministries they are established to serve,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s development director. “We are grateful for all those who establish or add to endowments in our foundation.”
— Courtney McLaughlin
Fund an endowment
Interested in setting up – or adding to – an endowment to benefit your parish or Catholic school? Establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities. Join more than 1,700 parishioners who have informed the diocese they plan to remember the Church in their estate plans.
For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..