By Reverend Bob Colaresi, O.Carm.,

The National Catholic Development Conference was moved by Hurricane Katrina. Scheduled for New Orleans Oct. 1-5, 2006, it was forced to move upriver to St. Louis, Missouri. Its theme “Steaming toward Success” gathered about 700 participants from about 350 Catholic fundraising organizations.

The Society of the Little Flower was represented by Brother Eric Bell, O.Carm., Shrine Director, Father Bob Colaresi, O.Carm., Director, Mrs. Elaine Hooker, Donor Relations, Ms. Eleanor Jordan, Ambassador, Mrs. Mary Lambert, Development Director, Mrs. Sharon Riley, and Mrs. Mary Zacharias, Internet Coordinator. Also present and participating were Father Thomas Schrader, O.Carm., and Mr. Gregory Cornell, from Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California.

From left: Eleanor Jordan, Brother Eric Bell, O.Carm., Sharon Riley, Mary Zacharias, Elaine Hooker, Mary Lambert, and Father Bob Colaresi, O.Carm., were Little Flower Society participant representatives.

This convention is one of the largest National gatherings of Catholic development organizations. Issues of basic direct mail appeals, management of people, mission, vision, new ways of approaching possible donors and the fundamentals of fundraising and networking were all addressed by experienced people. “Networking with other people facing the same issues is invaluable,” explained Mary Lambert, Society of Little Flower Development Director.

Mary Lambert and Mary Zacharias of the Society of Little Flower moderated discussions on international fundraising and e-philanthropy.

“It is a very interactive learning environment, with lots of ideas shared,” commented Father Bob. “People are not afraid to share. Its catholicity makes us partners rather than competitors who hide secrets of success from each other. We are not afraid to share what works.”

Nearly 100 vendors showed their products, as well as possible appeal ideas to the assembled development people. The Catholic market is rich with people who want to help the mission of Jesus and the Church—as well as a rich variety of ways to enable them to be generous.

“As I listen to others, I am ever more grateful that we have Saint Therese of Lisieux,” explained Father Bob. “So many people love her and are willing to help us in our ministries and missions because she is one of us.”

During the conference awards banquet, Father Bob made the prestigious Good Samaritan Award to Project Lazarus, which works with AIDS homeless patients in New Orleans. Project Lazarus is now homeless because of the hurricane.

Father Bob, who is a member of the NCDC Board of Directors, presided at the final Eucharist, and was elected Vice President of the Board during the convention.

More information can be obtained through the Society of the Little Flower at: 800-621-2806.