SAPPHIRE — The Diocese of Charlotte recently reached a new milestone, its 55th gift of $1 million or more, from a couple whose generosity crossed continents.
Thomas Giesey, a traveling salesman for Goodyear Tire Co., and his wife, Gretchen Giesey, spent their nearly 63 years together sharing what they had with others – whether close to home or across the globe. Gretchen passed away on June 26, 2024, and her husband followed seven months later on Jan. 18, 2025.
The couple spent their summers in Sapphire, attending St. Jude Church for more than 24 years. After their deaths, the diocese received a $1.125 million gift from their estate. A portion of that gift will fund the Thomas and Gretchen Giesey Memorial Endowment Fund, which was established for the general needs of the Sapphire parish.
The remaining money will go toward “Building Our Future Together,” St. Jude’s capital campaign, which has a goal of raising $9 million toward a new church and campus improvements.
Current campus buildings are more than 50 years old and require updates to serve a community that is anticipated to grow by 10% to 13% in the next five years.
The Gieseys are two of the donors across the diocese who have given one-time gifts of $1 million or more either by cash or stock, pledged to capital campaigns or special projects, or left gifts in their estate plans. Such gifts benefit parishes, Catholic schools, the diocese’s foundation and St. Joseph College Seminary.
“The Gieseys left their mark in this community and were dedicated to securing the future of the parish,” said Father Jason Barone, pastor of St. Jude Parish. “We are thankful for their service and their intentional gift that was in keeping with their generous spirits.”
While Thomas Giesey’s career took the couple around the world, what they recalled most about their journeys were shared memories of helping others. During a life-changing trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, they became a second family to a young girl in need, cooking meals for her ailing father while keeping her and her siblings entertained with stories.
Beyond their travels, they believed in the power of education and consistently supported the academic pursuits of loved ones, assisted homeless children and young adults seeking opportunity, and gave to churches and ministries.
As Jim Kelley, diocesan development director, said, “Generous parishioners like the Gieseys have changed the lives of countless people, parishes and ministries across our diocese.”
“We are grateful for gifts of any amount,” Kelley said. “Couples like the Gieseys who chose to leave significant gifts of $1 million or more are demonstrating their confidence in the Church’s leadership and their commitment to carrying their faith forward to future generations.”
— Courtney McLaughlin
Fund an endowment
Interested in setting up – or adding to – an endowment to benefit your parish? Establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities.
Join more than 1,800 people who have informed the diocese they plan to remember the Church in their estate plans. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
CHARLOTTE — Fourteen parishes and ministries have received grants totaling $61,500 thanks to the Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte.
The annual awards, which range from $2,000 to $5,000, are based on need and the impact the money is expected to have on local communities. They are fueled by endowments people have made to the foundation in their wills or estate planning over the years.
Types of projects and initiatives supported by the foundation in 2025 include support for homeless veterans living in transitional housing, responses to urgent food needs, upgrades to parish and education facilities, Hispanic youth religious education and activities, and faith formation materials.
“The foundation is able to award these grants every year thanks to the forward thinking of the parishioners in the diocese,” said Gina Rhodes, diocesan director of planned giving.
St. Benedict the Moor in Winston Salem received $5,000 for bathroom renovations in buildings used for Faith Formation and meetings.
As parochial administrator Father Melchesideck Yumo noted, “Struggling parishes like mine have been blessed with assistance from the Foundation, which has taken a huge financial load off the parishioners who are barely managing with their families.”
The BackPack Weekend Food Program at Queen of the Apostles Church in Belmont also received a $5,000 boost from the foundation. The program provides bags of non-perishable food for students to eat on weekends when school meals aren’t available. Queen of the Apostles sponsors approximately 50 children each year.
Program coordinator Julie Russo notes it costs about $350 to feed one student for the full school year, and every contribution helps. “This money is doing something locally,” Russo said. “It is truly helping people.”
“Every single endowment we have is making a difference,” said Joe Gigler, who chairs the foundation’s board. “I see every day the impact these grants make.”
The foundation continues to grow, surpassing $100 million in assets in 2025. “It’s neat to think the gift you give today is going to continue to give into the future. It’s an exciting time to be a Catholic in the Diocese of Charlotte,” Gigler said.
Since 2001, the foundation has awarded 440 grants totaling more than $1.26 million. These grants are distributed from three of the foundation’s 400-plus endowments, which are either for unrestricted or broader purposes.
As Father Yumo noted, “Every gift makes a difference.”
— Courtney McLaughlin
Fund an endowment
Interested in setting up – or adding to – an endowment to benefit your parish? Establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities. Join more than 1,800 parishioners who have informed the diocese they plan to remember the Church in their estate plans. For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2025 Foundation Grant recipients
St. Benedict Church and World Relief Triad — ESL teacher and supplies: $3,000
St. Lawrence Basilica Community Ministries for veterans in transitional housing: $2,500
St. Mary, Mother of God Parish — Hispanic youth religious education, activities and evangelization: $5,000
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish — Casa Marillac social ministry and food pantry: $5,000
Church of the Epiphany Mission — Outdoor fellowship site: $5,000
St. Mary’s Parish — SALT program: $5,000
Queen of the Apostles Parish — Backpack weekend food program: $5,000
Christ the King Parish — Food and assistance for De Paul Academy: $2,500
St. Stephen Mission — Faith formation for Latino community: $5,000
Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of Charlotte — Evangelization retreats: $5,000
St. Benedict the Moor Parish — School restroom restoration: $5,000
Good Shepherd Mission — Kitchen renovation: $5,000
Hispanic Health Ministry — Professional training: $5,000
St. Joseph Parish and Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission — Faith formation materials: $3,500
TOTAL: $61,500