A little over a century ago, our predecessors staked out a garden in which to nurture and grow the seeds of our Catholic faith in Trafford. They started St. Regis Parish. Our present families have undertaken the most recent steps in honoring those beginnings, by expanding ministries and making numerous renovations to our church.
But as we look ahead, just what bodes for the future of St. Regis Parish? Will we be able to hand down a similar legacy to those who come after us? The rich history of our parish is a result of many generations sharing their stewardship gifts to meet the needs of our parish. The continued success of St. Regis Parish depends on how well we plan for our future, because the financial challenges that face the church are daunting. One effective way we can help secure the future programs and works, and even the very existence of our parish, is to become a member of the St. Regis Endowment Fund.
A Simple Man | A Strong Legacy
Sometimes people surprise you. Sometimes someone who you don’t even know does you a favor … a person like Frank Kovacic.
By way of introduction to our benefactor, Frank Kovacic was born in Trafford in 1926 to James and Anna Kovacic. He lost his father three months before he was born. \After following his two older brothers into the Navy in 1943, Frank, much like many of his contemporaries served in World War II in Europe, Asia and the Philippines. \Later in his Navy career, Frank served in the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict.
When Frank retired from the Navy, he bought a cabin and spent his summers working for the Army Corp of Engineers as a grounds maintenance person. In his free time, he pursued his loves of fishing and hunting. Frank had always lived a simple life, requiring little in the way of creature comforts. Therefore, he spent little money and saved his small earnings and pension.
What Frank did spend, however, was time … time staying connected with family and friends in the Trafford area, even though he hadn’t lived here for over 40 years.That connection was so strong that, upon learning of the renovation of our church, Frank made a generous donation to aid that project. And that’s not all.
When Frank passed away, his St. Regis Parish “family” was one of the various charitable organizations to which he left a portion of his wealth. But the money was only part of Frank’s legacy. Frank’s was a legacy of service and giving back to the community that had raised and nurtured him and the country that had protected him. And that is a strong legacy, indeed, one that like any legacy should be treasured, respected and held up as an example to future generations.
—Nancy Baric