The Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard Memorial Legacy Endowment Fund

A Lasting Tribute to a Beloved Shepherd

The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia is honored to announce the establishment of the Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard Memorial Legacy Endowment Fund, created by Louisville Archbishop Emeritus Joseph E. Kurtz to honor the life, ministry, and enduring legacy of Bishop Herbert A. Bevard.

Established with an initial gift of $30,000, the fund serves as a permanent charitable memorial to a man whose life was marked by unwavering faith, joyful service, profound humility, and a deep love for God's people. The endowment is designed to grow through future charitable contributions and planned gifts, ensuring that Bishop Bevard's legacy continues to inspire and support Catholic ministries for generations to come.

"He Was Like a Brother to Me"

For Archbishop Kurtz, the fund is deeply personal.

The two men entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary together and remained close throughout their priesthoods and episcopal ministries. Reflecting on their lifelong friendship, Archbishop Kurtz simply describes Bishop Bevard as "like a brother."

Inspired by that friendship and by Bishop Bevard's remarkable witness of faith, Archbishop Kurtz established the fund to ensure that the ministries closest to Bishop Bevard's heart would continue to flourish long into the future.

A Life Devoted to Faith and Service

Bishop Bevard's journey to the Catholic faith began in Oxford, Pennsylvania, where, as a young man, he was drawn to the Church and began his faith formation at Sacred Heart Parish. His conversion ignited a lifelong passion for evangelization and ministry.

Ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1972, he faithfully served in several parish assignments before becoming pastor of St. Athanasius Parish in Philadelphia. There, he became known for revitalizing parish life, strengthening Catholic education, and building a vibrant faith community.

In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him the fifth Bishop of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. During more than a decade of episcopal leadership, Bishop Bevard expanded charitable outreach, strengthened Catholic schools, oversaw the restoration of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, and guided the faithful through both challenges and opportunities with pastoral care and compassion.

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Yet those who knew him best often remember not what he accomplished, but how he treated people.

As Archbishop Kurtz reflected:

"He was very much a people person. The person in front of him was the most important person."

He added:

"He was a dynamo. He loved to fix up churches and schools, expand charities. Most of all, he loved the people."

The Power of Endowment

The establishment of the Bishop Bevard Fund also highlights the unique and lasting impact of endowment philanthropy.

Unlike a one-time charitable gift, an endowment is designed to provide support not only today but indefinitely. Gifts are invested for long-term growth, with a portion of the fund distributed annually to support charitable purposes while the remaining assets continue to grow. This disciplined approach helps preserve the fund's purchasing power over time and creates a permanent source of support for future generations.

In many ways, endowments allow donors to continue supporting the causes they care about long after their lifetime. They transform a single act of generosity into an enduring legacy.

The Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard Memorial Legacy Endowment Fund embodies this vision. Through continued investment and future contributions, the fund will provide lasting support to the ministries and communities that shaped Bishop Bevard's life and ministry.

Supporting the Ministries He Loved

In accordance with CFGP's endowment spending policy, annual distributions from the fund will be divided equally among three beneficiaries that played a significant role in Bishop Bevard's faith journey and priestly ministry:

The Diocese of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands
The diocese Bishop Bevard shepherded as its fifth bishop, where he spent more than a decade strengthening the Church and serving the faithful.

St. Athanasius Parish, Philadelphia
The parish where he served as pastor and led a remarkable renewal of parish life, Catholic education, and community engagement.

Sacred Heart Parish, Oxford
The parish where his journey to the Catholic faith began and where the seeds of his vocation were first planted.

Together, these beneficiaries reflect the places and people that helped shape Bishop Bevard's extraordinary life of service.

Continuing the Legacy

The Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard Memorial Legacy Endowment Fund is an open memorial endowment, and additional gifts are welcomed from clergy, parishioners, alumni, foundations, families, and friends who wish to honor his memory.

Every contribution increases the fund's ability to support the ministries he loved while furthering the values that guided his life: faith, evangelization, Catholic education, charity, and pastoral care.

Through this endowment, Bishop Bevard's legacy will continue to bear fruit, strengthening the Church and enriching lives for generations to come.

To contribute to the Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard Memorial Legacy Endowment Fund, please click here.

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To learn more about the endowment funds and the enduring impact on our faith community they can have, please contact our philanthropic experts at 215-587-5650 or funds@thecfgp.org.

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