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Mary Daly has been an active supporter of Catholic Leadership Institute for close to a decade. Her contributions of time, talent and treasure have helped the Institute advance its efforts as a national apostolate serving the Catholic Church in the United States. Mary has served on the Annual Awards Dinner committee for six years. In addition to her work with CLI, Mary is also actively involved with Generation Life, a movement of young people committed to building a culture of life.
Mary and her husband Dennis are members of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Montgomery County, PA and are the parents of four daughters and the proud grandparents of 12—eight girls and four boys.
How did you learn about Catholic Leadership Institute and what inspired you to get involved with the mission?
I first learned about Catholic Leadership Institute when my good friend Molly Kelly was honored with the Award for Outstanding Catholic Leadership in 2001. I was inspired by the mission and by the many other faces I recognized in the crowd. There were so many people that I knew from my work within the Archdiocese that were also supporting CLI which motivated me to want to be involved.
I continued to support the Institute each year at the Annual Awards Dinner and through that, got to know, Matt Manion, Tim Flanagan and Dan Cellucci. In 2003, Matt invited me to bring my gifts and talents as a member of the Awards Committee. I was so impressed with the community of Catholic Leadership Institute and how well the meetings were organized, that I have continued to serve and devote my time to the success of the Awards Event.
What do you find most exciting about being involved with Catholic Leadership Institute?
I find the people and the dynamic of CLI’s mission very admirable. I admire Catholic Leadership Institute because they have defined their mission and they’ve put into place all the things they need to fulfill that mission. I find that exciting and a good model for other organizations to follow.
Why do you feel it is important for each of us to use our gifts and talents in service to the Church?
Every since I was a young girl, I have felt that it was important to be an active member of the Church. I can remember volunteering at my grade school parish when I was just 12 years old. I enjoyed the friends that I met and I thought spreading the word of the Church was important. In the years that followed, my husband Dennis and I made it a priority to serve the Church with the gifts and talents we’ve so generously received.
I love my faith; it sustains me and makes me happy. I believe there is a grace that comes from giving of yourself and your talents. Circumstances and situations often arise when you feel like you just can’t contribute, you couldn’t possibly serve on one more committee in your life, but God always gives you what you need to pull it off and make it work.
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