The Fabers share what inspires them to create a legacy of giving and gratitude.

Side Callout: Dave and Sarah Faber consider charity their “sixth child,” demonstrating their commitment to Catholic philanthropy in our community.

What does it truly mean to live a life of generosity and faith? Our community is blessed with a shining example in Dave and Sarah Faber.

The Fabers have been fixtures in the West Michigan Catholic community for decades. Whether they’ve taught your children, offered you spiritual guidance, or shared a heartfelt conversation with you after Mass, Dave and Sarah’s warmth and wisdom leave a lasting impact on everyone they meet.

Sarah has dedicated her career to serving as an Education Support Services teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Grand Rapids, while Dave has spent more than 30 years shaping young minds and hearts—first as a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Zeeland, then as principal of St. Thomas for 17 years, and most recently as superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids since 2010. But their commitment to Catholic education goes well beyond their professions. All five of their daughters attended Catholic Central High School, a testament to their belief in the transformative power of a Christ-centered education.

Even as Dave prepares to retire at the end of the 2024–2025 school year, the Fabers show no signs of slowing down. Their lives are a testament to how faith, generosity, and service can create lasting change here in West Michigan and beyond. They hope that through their legacy giving, fellow Catholics are encouraged to live generously and make an impact of their own.

From High School Sweethearts to Catholic Leaders

Dave and Sarah’s love story is as heartfelt as they come. They met in high school, and from the very beginning, their relationship was built on a foundation of faith and shared values.

Sarah was raised in a Lutheran household and felt incredibly grateful for her parents’ example of regularly attending services, and charitable giving. But meeting Dave and his devout Catholic family opened her eyes to something deeper.

“When I got to know Dave and his family, I was inspired by their faith and what the Catholic church had to offer.” Sarah said, a warm smile spreading across her face as she reflected on this transformative experience. “Their deep belief and devoutness are what led me to convert to Catholicism as an adult.” 

From that moment on, there was no looking back.

While Sarah’s faith journey was one of discovery, Dave’s was one of deepening commitment. Growing up, his parents were pillars of their parish community at Our Lady of Consolation in Rockford, where his mother served as the director of religious education, and his father played active roles with the Knights of Columbus, school board, and parish council. They also served as liaisons to the Diocese of Grand Rapids for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal under Bishop Rose.

Dave reflects on his upbringing with great fondness. “My parents were incredibly faithful. We spent a lot of time in church basements for prayer meetings. Sometimes we got to participate, and other times my parents would just say, ‘Go play over there.” He chuckles at the memory. “But I always felt surrounded by faith.”

Despite this strong foundation, it wasn’t until Dave’s senior year of high school that his faith really became his own. During a Jesus Weekend at St. James Parish, Dave had a life-changing encounter with God.

“It was there that I remember specifically giving my life to the Lord. I told Jesus I wanted Him to be the Lord of my life. After that, everything changed.”

You can feel the power behind his words as he recounts this defining moment. From that day forward, his relationship with God became a driving force in his life. He began reading the Bible daily, finding profound connections between Scripture and what he heard at Mass. His hunger for God’s word grew insatiable, and his passion for evangelization soon overflowed into every aspect of his life.

Even at his job at Jody’s Restaurant in Rockford, Dave couldn’t help but share his faith. After closing shifts, he often found himself standing in the parking lot, speaking about God’s love with fellow young people well into the early hours of the morning.

“I couldn’t get enough of it,” he beamed. “I wanted to share God’s love with everyone I met.”

This early spark of faith would guide Dave’s journey into Catholic education and beyond, paving the way for a lifetime of service and generosity alongside Sarah.

Side Callout: During a Jesus Weekend at St. James Parish, Dave had a life-changing encounter with God. “It was there that I remember specifically giving my life to the Lord. I told Jesus I wanted Him to be the Lord of my life. After that, everything changed.”

Embracing a Life of Generosity

Giving is simply a way of life for the Fabers. Their philosophy is simple yet profound: You can’t outgive God. Rooted in the belief that everything they have is a gift from God, tithing and service are woven into the very fabric of their lives.

“Giving was important to Sarah’s parents, and it was really important to my parents, as well,” Dave explains. “Tithing, in particular. Once you’re a tither, you never stop because you recognize the blessings that God gives. My dad always said, ‘It’s 10% of the gross, not the net. It’s your first fruits.’ And that principle has guided us our whole lives.”

This spirit of generosity prompted the Fabers to make an extraordinary commitment: pledging one-sixth of their estate to Catholic causes. They lovingly describe this decision as treating charity like their “sixth child.” Their legacy gifts will support organizations that have profoundly influenced the lives of their daughters, grandchildren, and students, like St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, the St. Thomas Education Foundation, the Diocese of Grand Rapids, and San Juan Diego Academy—a cause that’s especially important to the Fabers.

Investing in the Future of Catholic Education for the Hispanic Community

San Juan Diego Academy (SJDA), a K–8 Catholic school within the Diocese of Grand Rapids, provides children from immigrant families with the opportunity to excel academically while embracing and living out their faith. For Dave and Sarah, supporting SJDA is not just a charitable act but a crucial investment in the future of the Catholic community.

“One-third of baptisms in our Diocese are Hispanic children,” Dave shared. “But enrollment amongst this population in our Catholic schools remains low because many of those families believe they can’t afford it.”

Dave’s concern is clear: without strong support for schools like SJDA, the Diocese risks missing out on nurturing future Catholic leaders. “If Hispanic students aren’t in our Catholic schools now, we won’t have them as a resource in West Michigan in the future. We need more generosity to prevent this from happening—and it has to come from the entire community.”

Sarah agreed, reflecting on the countless acts of generosity they’ve witnessed over the years. “We’ve seen so many people give so selflessly. Maybe our small gift can help inspire someone else to do the same.”

Through their own giving, Dave and Sarah hope to encourage other Catholics, especially young families, to explore Catholic philanthropy through their parish and the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan—and the way their daughters have begun to integrate philanthropy into their families is a prime example of how this generosity starts at a young age. Now active parish members themselves, their daughters prioritize tithing, service, and giving back to their communities, carrying forward the legacy of faith and generosity that Dave and Sarah instilled in them as children.

Words of Wisdom for the Catholic Community

Through their story, the Fabers hope to demonstrate that every gift—no matter the size—can create a ripple of grace and goodness. “You can trust the Church,” Dave emphasized. “I have worked at the highest level in these organizations, and this is where we want to leave our legacy.”

As they reflect on their journey, the Fabers are filled with gratitude—for the faith that guides them, their five daughters and 15 grandchildren who bring them immense joy, and the opportunity to give back to the community they love.

When asked what wisdom they might share with fellow Catholics, their message is both humble and profound: Trust in God’s promises and lead with generosity. The Fabers hold tightly to the powerful words of Malachi 3:10:

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, That there may be food in my house. Put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, And see if I do not open the floodgates of heaven for you, and pour down upon you blessing without measure!’”

Their legacy is a simple yet profound reminder that God’s blessings always overflow when our hearts remain open.