Denver Catholic

12 I LOCAL NEWS OCTOBER 23, 2013 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Millionaire picks guitar, aids youth ministries Denver philanthropist chosen for Black Catholic Ministry award BY NISSA LAPOINT October 25-27 November 1-3 November 8-10 November 15-17 November 20 December 3 Guitar enthusiast and philanthropist Donna Auguste is strumming her life to God's tune. The 55-year-old multimillionaire devotes financial support to youth ministries locally and internationally and makes a point to be active in carrying out the ministries. "It all comes down to the commandment to love God and your neighbor," said Auguste, a parishioner at Cure d'Ars Church in Denver. "When you love, you have to do. You're called to act. We're all called to prayer and a relationship with God, but we're also called to take action." Auguste was selected as this year's recipient of the Sts. Bakhita and Drexel Award by the Denver Archdiocese's Office of Black Catholic Ministry. She is being recognized for her local work in her parish's music ministry, Joyful Noise, and a start-up school the Julia Greeley Academy, and for her international work through the foundation Leave a Little Room, which she founded. "Donna is a lady that likes to be behind the scenes," said Mary Leisring, director of the Black Catholic office. "Many people have been blessed by her generosity locally and nationally. Her light shines bright. She is a tremendous witness Weekend Retreat (Women) Weekend Retreat (Men) Serenity Retreat (Men & Women) Weekend Retreat (Women) Day of Prayer: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Day of Prayer: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 4801 North Highway 67, P.O. Box 185, Sedalia, CO 80135 Phone: 303-688-4198 ext. 122 (information/reservations) Website: www.sacredheartretreat.org NOW - THE TRUTH OF THE EUCHARIST REVEALED AS... "Science Tests Faith" This DVD presents the findings from the investigation of a Eucharistic miracle commissioned by Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1999. This Cardinal is now known to the world as Pope Francis! 44 # PHOTO PROVIDED DONNA Auguste, pictured here, will be awarded the Sts. Bakhita and Drexel award for her positive witness and service to the black Catholic community. of her Catholic faith to all her Christian brothers and sisters." Auguste is known for her successful career as a leading engineer for Apple Computer Inc. where she helped invent the Newton. She later founded Freshwater Software Inc. in Boulder which revolutionized business by making online commerce and banking dependable. When the company sold for $147 million in 2001, she donated a portion of her fortune to fund the Leave a Little Room Foundation, a ministry she founded to build schools and clinics in Africa and Mexico while also equipping them with solar electricity. Behind her philanthropic efforts is an inspiration she gained from Blessed Mother Teresa, who once commented that people need to bring children to the center of their care and concern. Live your life with theirs in mind. Together let's start planning for your family's future. What science discovers will confront the mind and heart of every person. See and hear the story unfold as flesh and blood, heart muscle tissue and human DNA are discovered in this miracle! Luis B. Dogue Agent New York Life Insurance Company 3200 Cherry Creek South Drive Suite 700 Denver, CO 80209 (303) 744-2000, Ext. 278 ldogue@ft.newyorklife.com What Does Science Have to Say? To order DVD, visit our Web Site at: www.loveandmercy.org or send $16 plus $4 (shipping & handling) to: Love and Mercy Publications, P O Box 1160, Hampstead, NC 28443 Life Insurance. Retirement. Long-Term Care. SMRU496908(Exp.01/11/2015) © 2013 New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010 LuisDogue_118492_LL44_8-375x4_News_V_Co V2.indd 1 "That has stayed with me over the years because all of us have children in our lives who need to learn from us and from whom we can learn also," she said. She said she believes God expects this. "It's very, very clear that in helping to care for each other the children need for us to step up as the adults and help them learn about God, help them to learn about their calling and help them to learn how to minster. That's our responsibility," she said. For 12 years, she's volunteered at her parish to give and arrange music lessons—she teaches bass guitar—for youths in the children's choir, Joyful Noise. They practice every week and perform a few times a year. "This is a music ministry," she said. "One of the reasons it's important to me is I think we teach the children to minister and then we let them minister. We help them grow up learning how to minister." In Denver, she's also helped launch the Julia Greeley Academy. With fellow parishioners, Auguste started the independent kindergarten through fifth grade school after an area Catholic school closed. She said they've applied for accreditation from the Denver Archdiocese. Across the world, Auguste has also sought to help Third World countries in need of clinics and schools. In the past, she visited Africa a couple times a year to learn of their needs and visit the people. "When God calls me to do work, I have to actually have my hands be God's hands," she said about visiting the country. "I have to go and do the work. I need to be a part of it so that we can meet each other and see each other. That's how we build bridges between our communities." As a result of her visits, the foundation focused on building schools and clinics. It also supplied them with computers, books and electricity. Auguste said she's humbled to be among those recognized for their contributions in educating children, which St. Drexel was known for. "I'm really honored that her life, along with St. Josephine Bakhita, has led to this community award and recognition for a number of people," Auguste said. "I think that the people who educate children or who focus on educating children get the opportunity to see up close how much children are a gift from God." Nissa LaPoint: 303-715-3138; nissa.lapoint@archden.org; www. twitter.com/DCRegisterNissa 8/21/13 2:58 PM

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