- Donor Stories
A Gift for the Parish He Loved
For Charles McConville, faith, family, and home were never far apart. He worked the family farm about 10 miles north of Indianola, Nebraska, for almost his entire life, on land that held generations of McConville history.
“Dad was an active farmer until after he was 90 years old,” says Don McConville, pausing before adding that “Farming was his life.” Even after Charles and his wife moved into town when he was about 60 years old, he kept driving back to the farm almost every day.
Charles’ daily routine was also shaped by the parish community of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, attending daily Mass and serving as an acolyte. “He was an acolyte for as long as he could get up and walk up,” Don reiterates.
When the family reviewed Charles’ will after his passing in November 2023, they found that he had remembered St. Catherine’s. For Don, the intent behind that gift was clear—Charles wanted to help the parish he loved. And it was as important to the family that the gift served the local church that had been part of the McConvilles’ rhythm for generations.
Faith Close to Home
Today, Don and his wife, Pam, still keep pieces of the family story close. Photographs, memories of the farm, and mementos of Charles’ life fill in the picture of a man who worked hard, lived quietly, and was devoted to the place he called home. For the McConville family, the history matters. “The farm carries memories that stretch across Don’s whole life,” shares Pam. Don nods, sharing that “I’ve got 70 years of memories of the farm and just as many at St. Catherine’s.”
The sense of memory and belonging makes it clear that the parish was never separate from the landscape of home. When Charles and his wife moved to Indianola, Don believes part of the reason was so they could attend daily Mass at St. Catherine’s. “And they did,” he says. “They were so good about going all the time.”
For Don and Pam, St. Catherine’s is also part of their life. They attend Saturday evening Mass, sit in their same pew, and have watched the parish continue to serve families from Indianola and the surrounding area.
Family-focused Parish
As a rural parish, St. Catherine’s has around 100 families who attend every week. It continues to draw people who value its community, its Mass times, and its place in their lives. Some come from farms outside town. Others drive from nearby communities. For the McConvilles, that local presence is part of what makes St. Catherine’s worth caring for.
“We have a lot of families who are growing with kids who come back to the community and parish,” says Pam, who sees signs of life in the small things. “It’s good to see babies in the church. For a little town, that’s always a good sign.”
A Gift Meant to Stay Local
When Don and his sister began the work of settling the estate, they wanted to make sure the gift was handled in a way that reflected his father’s wishes.
“It was important to us that the gift would support St. Catherine’s,” says Don. “We knew that Scott Yates at the Catholic Foundation could help us create a fund that stayed local.”
“There’s no doubt Dad wanted his gift to support this community. The Catholic Foundation made sure his wishes were honored.”
The Catholic Foundation helped put the structure in place. After meeting with Scott, the Catholic Foundation team helped create the St. Catherine Parish Fund, establishing the financial structure to use the funds for the parish’s benefit over time. The fund also creates a path for others who may want to support St. Catherine’s in the same way.
“Although we started the St. Catherine Parish Fund, anyone else in the parish who wants to give something to the parish can contribute,” explains Don. “The money is directed into the fund, and they make sure it’s distributed only to St. Catherine’s.”
In the middle of a long estate process that included bank accounts, CDs, farm equipment, land decisions, and family responsibilities, the Catholic Foundation’s efforts brought welcome relief. “It was one of the least stressful things he had to do to take care of his dad’s estate,” Pam said.
Keep the Parish Going
The fund has already begun helping St. Catherine’s. Don and Pam hope it will continue to support the parish as needs arise. Like many small parishes, St. Catherine’s has practical needs. Buildings require care. Parish spaces need attention. Future repairs and improvements will call for resources. “We’ve already seen how the fund is being used to help the parish when they need more support,” says Pam, who notes that these improvements matter to parishioners, especially those who have loved St. Catherine’s for many years.
“I think the older people who are in church are more willing to give to that fund because they know that it’s going to stay in the church,” she said. “And it’s going to help keep our church going.”
For Charles McConville, a life of farming, faith, and parish service became a final gift to the church he loved. Through the Catholic Foundation, that parish gift now has a place to grow, a purpose close to home, and a future tied to St. Catherine’s.
