Spring 2019
A Fond Farewell Father Paul Burkard is retiring in June after 12 years at OLV & 50 years in the priesthood.
Donor Spotlight Jim Biddle was born at OLV & continues to support its mission decades later.
Building a Better Life Msgr. Paul Burkard, president of the OLV Institutions, in the replica living quarters of Venerable Nelson Baker found within the Father Baker Museum. Father Paul will retire in June of 2019.
Teen mother Kelly & son, Kyle, need your help!
“I’ll miss [most] the goodness and dedication of the parishioners, employees, and donors.”
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ur lives have been inspired and enriched through Msgr. Paul J. E. Burkard’s gentle heart, compassionate soul, outstanding leadership, and dedicated service. After 12 years as pastor and head of Our Lady of Victory Institutions (OLV), Msgr. Burkard will retire on June 1, 2019. When he was first asked to come to OLV by then-Bishop Edward Kmiec, Father Paul admits he was a little surprised. “I was actually shocked, to say the least, but it was the beginning of an absolutely wonderful journey for me.” Since that time, he has led OLV during important times. “Of the many highlights I have experienced during my time here, the most significant are: the opening of the Father Baker Museum in 2009, of course, the announcement of Father Baker being named Venerable in 2011, and the completion of a fiveyear project that resulted in a more formalized corporate structure of the entities under the OLV umbrella.” For those who are close to him, it is obvious that Father Paul is a busy, busy man whose many “hats” include presiding over a large, complex
organization that has a national presence that extends far beyond its physical location in Western New York. It consists of Baker Victory Services, the Homes of Charity, OLV Parish and Elementary School and, the OLV National Shrine and Basilica. Given all of that responsibility, what keeps him going? “Each day, I stop at the tomb of Father Baker (in the Basilica) to talk with him and ask how he would handle a problem or situation. I’ve been guided by the way he lived Jesus’ mission of caring for the poor and broken-hearted. I have loved serving as pastor of this parish and as head of Our Lady of Victory Institutions” And, after June 1, his official retirement date, what will he miss the most? “Without doubt, the biggest blessing and what I’ll miss the most is the goodness and dedication of the parishioners, employees, and donors.” Our words are not adequate to express the joy, and support you have been to all of us! Thank you for your years of generous service in carrying on Father Baker’s legacy. We ask for God’s blessing on you and pray for your continued happiness as you begin a new chapter in your priestly life.
Father Paul (standing, second from left)
with his beloved family
Message from to David J. Kersten, the new CEO at Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity
David Kersten
Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity
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o borrow a quote from John Henry Cardinal Newman, “To live is to change, and to change often is to become more perfect.” Well, if that is true, then Our Lady of Victory (OLV) Institutions seems to be determined to be perfect! The winds of change are sweeping through our organization. During the next several months, we will welcome a new President of OLV Institutions and a new CEO of Baker Victory Services (BVS). These individuals will bring new ideas, thoughts, and visions. And, while we will embrace them with open arms, we also offer our deepest gratitude to those leaving our organizations.
Msgr. Paul J.E. Burkard will be retiring from his leadership post after guiding OLV for more than 12 years. Through his dedicated efforts, we have advanced the missions of OLV National Shrine & Basilica, OLV Homes of Charity, and BVS and furthered Father Baker’s Cause for Canonization. Msgr. Burkard oversaw two successful capital campaigns, spearheaded the creation of the Father Baker Museum, and steadfastly guided more than 1,100 employees serving the needs of mentally and/or behaviorally challenged individuals. His pastoral stewardship has been a grace to us and we thank Father Paul for his generous priesthood and exceptional ministry.
Terry Scofidio has stepped down as CEO of BVS to be closer to her two daughters and granddaughter in Denver, Colorado. During the past four plus years, Terry was instrumental in strengthening BVS’ capacity to meet the needs of 4,200 individuals served by the agency. Because of her, BVS is better positioned to meet the challenges of the ever-changing human services industry. We thank her for her leadership. We are undoubtedly saddened to see Msgr. Burkard and Terry leave. However, we are excited for the new opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead. Our mission work continues. None of it would be possible without your prayerful and charitable support. It is because of you – our faithful donors – that we are able to continue the good works taking place each and every day at our “City of Charity.” Because of you, we are able to carry forward the life-changing work and mission of our saintly founder, Venerable Nelson Baker, and the ministry he started more than 160 years ago. Thank you for believing in our good works and for aiding us as we strive to change the lives of countless children and youth. And from all of us at OLV, we wish you and your family a Happy Easter!
James Biddle, Sr. The Voice sat down with James Biddle, Sr., to discuss his love for Father Baker’s ministry and his involvement with our organization. Q. What makes you identify with the mission of our organization? I started my life at the institutions as I was born at OLV hospital. My sister was born there, as well, and all of my children and all of her children were born there. And, through my professional endeavors and involvement in various boards, I was introduced to Msgr. Robert Wurtz (former head of the OLV organizations) and he asked me to serve on the Baker Victory Services’ Board of Directors. So, you can say that through all stages of my life, I’ve been intertwined with OLV. Q. What’s behind your charitable ways? There is something inside me that says I’ve been pretty lucky and I’m also a firm believer in the power of the Holy Spirit. My upbringing was one where I came from a very modest background and my mother and father didn’t have much. In the end, I’ve been blessed to be successful in business and I’ve always thought it was better to give than to receive.
Q. What did it mean for you to serve as Chair of the “Father Baker’s – Continuing His Legacy of Caring” Capital Campaign? My involvement with the campaign was born out of a love for OLV. When Msgr. Burkard asked if I would participate, the answer was a resounding yes. It helped that I knew a lot of the people who were going to be involved and that we had the benefit of a strong internal team. I knew we would succeed and reach our goal. Q. Why is it important for you and your family to leave a financial gift to OLV? From my time on the BVS board, I’ve seen the impact the organization has on individuals’ lives. We’ve evolved from the Infant Home and serving unwed mothers to providing services for underprivileged individuals. I also have a grandchild who receives services through BVS’ early education program. I’m so proud of what the organization has become. Q. If you could ask Father Baker one question, what would it be? I would ask him – knowing how life has changed over the past 100 years – if we are we going in a direction that would please him. The focus of the organization has certainly shifted and I’d be interested to know if he is pleased with the care and services we are providing to the disadvantaged population we serve.
The care of young mothers and babies has always been a priority at “Father Baker’s.” Now, a 21st century problem requires a 21st century solution.
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planned new residence for the Girls and Mother & Child Group Home will help ensure the next chapter in Kelly’s success story.
Sixteen-year-old Kelly likes to read Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet is a favorite. She also likes to read books to her one-year-old son, Kyle. Both Kelly and Kyle live in the Girls and Mother & Child Group Home operated by Baker Victory Services. Were it not for the group home, Kelly’s life may have read more like a Shakespearean tragedy. Raised by a single mom with two younger sisters, Kelly never knew her dad or a healthy family environment. Her mother struggled to raise three daughters alone and when Kelly became pregnant with Kyle, foster care appeared to be the best option. But such services for older children are difficult to arrange and it is nearly impossible to place pregnant teens with a foster family. Enter the Dorothy Miller Residence of Baker Victory Services, a turning point for Kelly. Here, she is able to live in the home with Kyle, where she learns parenting and other necessary skills for
independent living. She has returned to high school and while she is in classes, Kyle attends the Monarch Little Learners’ Academy, the early childhood development program run by BVS. Mother and child are thriving. Kelly’s story offers just one example of the importance of the group home to young women in our community. There are many more. That is why we have launched the “Coming Home” Campaign with a goal of creating a new residence for these young women and those we will serve in the future.
The “Coming Home” Campaign is aimed at finding a new location for the residence with improved amenities for young women, like Kelly, such as: • A more natural living environment in a neighborhood setting with access to bus routes, employment, shopping, etc. • New efficiencies to help in the care of mothers and babies – i.e. mattresses and bedroom furnishings, kitchen appliances, washer and dryer, vacuum, etc. Improvements in the residence mean improvements in the lives of these young women. To learn more about the “Coming Home” Campaign and how you can help, contact our Mission Advancement team at (716) 828-9610.
Planned Gifts & Their Benefits
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lanned giving is a way for you to integrate your personal, financial and estate planning by making lifetime or testamentary charitable gifts. Below are some common types of planned gifts and their benefits.
BEQUESTS
Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)
A bequest is a gift made through your will or trust. It is the simplest type of planned gift for you to make and one of the easiest to implement.
You make a gift of cash or property to us and we agree to make fixed payments for one or two lives.
BENEFITS of BEQUESTS
BENEFITS of CGA
You may desire to support charity but are unable to make gifts during your lifetime. For example, you may have property that is needed during life to cover your living expenses or health care costs.
Are you considering including Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity in your future charitable giving or estate plans?
Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity 780 Ridge Road Lackawanna, N.Y. 14218 (716) 828-9610
Federal Tax ID Number: 16-074391
You want to make a gift to our organization and receive fixed income for the future. This plan works well with your gift of cash or appreciated stock that is providing little or no income.
Life Insurance Gift The gift of life insurance can be made by simply naming Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity as the beneficiary of your policy.
BENEFITS of LIFE INSURANCE GIFT Your life insurance proceeds will help further our work and your estate will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction based on the value of the proceeds paid.
For more information, contact:
Cronan P. Long Clip this section & present it to your financial advisor or attorney
Mission Advancement Gift Officer Tel: (716) 828-9572 Email: clong@homesofcharity.org
A Warm Heart (& Meal) During the Holidays This past Christmas Eve, more than 30 children from our foster care and emergency foster care programs were treated to a holiday meal at the PLAKA Restaurant in Kenmore, N.Y. The owner of the restaurant, Telly Gogos, had a simple goal: provide a holiday meal to those who may have gone without. From fresh salads and chicken fingers to hot chocolate and homemade desserts, the kids were served a memory they won’t soon forget!
Mark Your Calendar! Baker Victory Nite 2019 is coming quickly. This year’s event is scheduled for May 9 and will feature prizes, auctions and delicious food. For tickets or sponsorship information, contact Melanie at (716) 828-9289 or check out www.bakervictorynite.org.
This Month in OLV History… March is a month widely celebrated here at the Homes! In 1876, Nelson Baker was ordained on March 19 and celebrated his first Mass as a priest on March 22 at Our Lady of Angels Seminary (now Niagara University).
Lives You Have Touched... 1,211
Young children received early intervention services and a foundational pre-school education.
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1,001
338
Individuals with developmental disabilities were cared for.
Children and family members received homebased services with the goal of staying together.
Young people benefited from hands-on vocational training and related programming.
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The Voice of Our Lady of Victory is the official donor newsletter of OLV Homes of Charity. Please contact us with any questions or suggestions regarding its content.