News

Golf outing continues priest's dream for agency

By Karen Johnston

The 14th annual Spalding Golf Outing will be June 5 at Branch River Country Club, 3212 N. Union Rd, Cato.

Over the years the outing has generated more than $180,000 for the Spalding Endowment Fund benefitting the programs and services of Catholic Charities.

Many in the Green Bay Diocese are familiar with the Spalding Golf Outing because Fr. William Spalding - a great man, a fine priest and a dedicated servant of God - was an ever present supporter of a day at the golf course that assisted a cause he was very passionate about, the work of Catholic Charities.

Fr. Spalding left a legacy of care and concern for others. The annual golf outing is just one way to keep a tradition of charity and a commitment to service in place for future generations and it continues to be successful beyond measure.

Fr. Spalding was the director of Catholic Social Services for more than 16 years. From 1947 to 1963, Fr. Spalding tirelessly gave of himself to build a strong agency built on Christian values with programs that help individuals, families and the community. His leadership was visionary and his compassion for others was without parallel. It was this leadership that guided Catholic Social Services, now known as Catholic Charities, to provide assistance, hope and healing to those who sought its services, just as it does today.

Fr. Spalding always ensured that people who came to the agency received personal attention. He encouraged each worker to receive updated training so they remained professionally competent to do the work that they were engaged in with families at the agency.

Fr. Spalding fostered excellence in the agency staff and its services. He reminded us that the face at the door was Jesus coming to us in the lives of those broken and battered and in need of God's healing presence in their lives.

Today, that commitment to service and excellence lives on in Catholic Charities. Fr. Spalding went on to his eternal reward in 2002 but his spirit is ever present with us. His legacy lives on through his generosity in establishing this endowment which now provides operational funds annually to agency services. It has helped the agency improve the quality of services to the people in northeastern Wisconsin and the Church of Green Bay.

Fr. Spalding served this mission so well. We at Catholic Charities will always be indebted to him and his family for the legacy of this gift to all God's people. His works of charity will forever be reminders of what our mission of service should look like each day.

For more information on the Spalding Golf Outing phone Jill Kahovec at (920)272-8234 or toll-free at 1-877-500-3580, ext. 8234.

(Johnston is director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay.)