The Father James C. Cusack Fund: One Year Later

Twelve months after establishing the Fr. James C. Cusack Fund, one of several special funds within the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Endowment Fund, we see a continued outpouring of love and financial support to remember the prolife work of Fr. James C. Cusack. We are pleased to share with you that the Fr. James C. Cusack Fund has reached its first level of success ... $10,000.

On the first anniversary of the Fr. James C. Cusack Fund, our next goal is to raise an additional $20,000 to meet the second phase of this project. We would like to invite your participation and financial gift.

Fr. Jim, the founder of the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Endowment Fund, always taught that donating to an organization through their endowment fund is money well-invested. He knew that money placed into an endowment fund becomes untouchable principal that will generate revenue to fund the work of the organization well into the future. In time, that endowment grows ever larger and generates more and more working capital for the non-profit. The bigger the endowment grows, the more money the organization will have each year to use for important projects and purchases.

Our Fr. Jim was a visionary. He was a leader who understood how Right to Life of Michigan needs to plan for financial growth and stability in the years to come. The Fr. James C. Cusack Fund, created in his memory and honor, is an opportunity for each of us to live out Fr. Jim’s vision and support the legacy he left in our hands .

Following is a letter Fr. Jim wrote in December 2000 to help share his passion for life and to explain his interest in the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Endowment Fund. I ask you to prayerfully read Fr. Jim’s letter, consider his own words, and make a generous gift in his name through the Fr. James C. Cusack Fund.

My Dear Friend,
Let me tell you about how I started the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Endowment Fund a few years ago. Like the other six foundations I’ve founded across the United States and Michigan, the endowment fund began with my personal gift of $1000 and we’ve been building the endowment ever since. I like to tell people “your gift to the Right to Life Educational Endowment Fund is the gift that gives forever.” We use only a portion of the interest each year to support our work - the remainder is re-invested and the fund keeps growing.

Long after you and I are no longer on this earth, our gift to the endowment fund will help finance the priceless gift of life for an incredible number of people - people yet to be born. I am so very proud of Right to Life of Michigan - it is the most successful Right to Life organization in the entire country. Thanks be to God for blessing our amazing workers dedicated to life.

There’s something I’d like you to consider. Let me share with you my five step plan for giving:

1. Pray
We begin by asking God for His help in deciding to make a gift to the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Endowment Fund ... in deciding to make a gift of life for all the unborn.

2. Listen
Be ready for God’s recommendation in making your decision. If you ask, He will lead you.

3. Think
What are the possibilities? What can I do to help? Thinking things over can be one of the most difficult things we do.

You’ve probably seen a reproduction of Rodin’s sculpture, The Thinker. As the subject brings all his power of thought into play, his body ripples with muscles under the strain of his deep contemplation.

4. Choose
What will it be? The decision is yours!

5. Act
With courage we engage in the act of giving - the act of helping someone else.
Now I ask for you to be a part of the most precious gift of all - the gift of human life. Pray, listen, think, choose and act in defense of precious human life. Please be a very generous part of this effort - life is priceless coming as it does from the hand of God.

And now ... one last favor: May I ask that you say a prayer for life for every day that God gives you? Many thanks in advance for your prayers and generous support.

May God bless and reward you!

Father Jim Cusack

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