PORTLAND — The Catholic Foundation of Maine has announced it will distribute in excess of $800,000 to more than 100 endowment funds in 2017. The funds will benefit parishes, schools, seminarians, Catholic Charities Maine and other ministries across Maine.

The foundation was established in 2003 to provide people with the opportunity to support and create lasting endowments that will enhance the work of the Catholic Church in Maine. The foundation manages the funds to secure the long-term viability of the endowments, ensuring that the charitable wishes of the donors are carried out.

Some of the newly-established funds this year will benefit local Catholic schools, including:

• The Laurianne Michaud Cormier Endowment will allow for an annual scholarship to be awarded to a Saint Dominic Academy student who excels in the classroom and is a volunteer at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center or another area health care facility.

• Holy Saviour School Endowment in honor of Barbara Pelletier, to be used for the general support of Holy Saviour School in Rumford, honors the longtime principal who will retire from her role this year.

FMI, create endowment: 207-321-7820, elizabeth.badger@portlanddiocese.org, catholicfoundationmaine.org.

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