In Loving Memory of our Founder
Most Reverend Robert J. Rose
1930 – 2022
The Catholic Foundation of West Michigan celebrates the life and mourns the death of its founding bishop, Most Reverend Robert J. Rose, at the age of 92. The Lord called him home on March 2, 2022, Ash Wednesday.
Bishop Rose’s legacy is significant and multi-faceted. Of his many accomplishments, one that will surely endure is his leadership in establishing the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan. In the early 1990s, it was the hope of many Church and lay leaders that the Diocese of Grand Rapids establish a charitable giving foundation to provide an opportunity for the faithful to commit a portion of their financial resources for the betterment of the Church and its many ministries. “Bishop Rose’s vision to focus on a foundation for the long-term support of parishes and schools from the diocesan office was ahead of his time. With his soft-spoken and gentle approach, he made this a priority and took the lead,” said Mike Jandernoa, founding board chair.
Bishop Rose, in particular, believed it was essential that the Church build endowments to meet the needs and the many responsibilities that lie ahead. “When we established the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan in 1995, we did so with an eye on the future,” Rose wrote in the 1998 Annual Report. “This understanding of stewardship is deepened when we make our gifts thoughtfully and with clear purpose.” At that time, the Foundation managed assets of $9.5 million, representing 54 charitable funds. “While the establishment of the foundation was initially focused upon making Catholic school education affordable well into the future, Bishop Rose was amazed and pleased in the years that followed as the foundation diversified to include parish and diocesan ministry funds,” said Mark Morrow, former executive director.
Today, thanks to the leadership and generosity of so many, the Foundation continues to grow and flourish with assets totaling $108 million, representing 248 charitable funds. Each year, millions of dollars in grants are distributed to parishes, schools, and vital ministries throughout West Michigan. These grants help renovate and repair our parishes, provide scholarships to Catholic school students, resource faith formation activities, fund seminarian formation, and bolster services that provide care and create hope for all our brothers and sisters.
“I am deeply grateful for Bishop Rose,” said Greg Deja, executive director. “His leadership inspired joyful stewardship, nurtured a spirit of generosity, and created a vehicle for the faithful to share their blessings in support of the ongoing work of the Church. The Trustees, council members, staff, and I are honored to continue advancing his vision and stewarding his legacy with and through the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan.”
Though we mourn the loss of Bishop Rose, we honor and celebrate the profound impact he had on the Diocese of Grand Rapids and its people. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.
Funeral Arrangements
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan for either the Bishop’s Fund for Catholic Education or the Jubilee Justice Fund.
Jubilee Justice Fund: During his episcopacy, Bishop Rose sought to advance social justice programs in the diocese. He established the Secretariat for Social Justice, now Catholic Charities West Michigan. The Jubilee Justice Fund was established to strengthen the programs and initiatives that provide care and create hope for all our brothers and sisters. This fund continues to support his vision today.