NATIONAL CATHOLIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

by Fr. Mark Hyde, SDB

(New Rochelle, N.Y. – September 24) – On September 15-18 the National Catholic Development Conference held its 50th Anniversary of Founding Conference in Chicago. During the conference, Salesian Missions USA was honored as one of the founding members at the 50th Anniversary Gala.

Corporate partner member families were also recognized for their long-standing support of the National Catholic Development Conference and the Catholic fundraising community.

Salesian Missions was blessed to have two of its partners recognized for their efforts: Estee Marketing of Rye Brook, N.Y., S.M.’s list services partner; and Concord Direct of Concord, N.H., one of its major creative and mailings partners.

The Estee Marketing Group had its beginnings at Salesian Missions with Sara Tarascio. Ms. Tarascio managed the list marketing work for Salesian Missions as well as being Fr. Edward Cappelletti’s point person in helping to grow Salesian Missions into an effective Catholic fundraising organization serving the needs of the poor in Salesian missions around the globe.

Since Ms. Tarascio was so good at list marketing and management, Fr. Cappelletti suggested that She begin her own list marketing business. Thus began Estee List Services (Es=S, Tee=T) which eventually became Estee Marketing Group, now owned and managed by Chris Ragusa, her niece.  In its conference exhibits, Estee proudly proclaims, “Our first customer is still our customer.”  Salesian Missions has the honor of being that customer and of receiving the highest quality of list service over all the years of Estee’s existence.

The 50th anniversary year of NCDC also marks the 45th year of the partnership of Concord Litho, now known as Concord Direct, with Salesian Missions.  The partnership began with Jim Cook and Fr. Cappelletti, who over the years were not just great business partners but also great friends.

Fr. Cappelletti wanted to give something back to the donors of Salesian Missions that would help them spiritually. His brainstorming with Ms. Tarascio and Mr. Cook came up with what would eventually become Salesian Missions’ Inspirational Books. The first publication was the “Holy Year Prayer Book” in 1975, followed by the first Inspirational Book, “Lift Up Your Heart, in 1976.

From the preface of the first Inspirational book: “This little booklet was prepared to help you turn your hearts and thoughts to God and to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers….”

From those simple words in a two-color edition with very simple page decorations to full color with beautiful artwork, Scripture passages, and donated poetry, the message has grown: “The intent and purpose of this volume is to give you faith, hope and inspiration. Hopefully it will help encourage prayer and bring peace and tranquility into your life. May it be a reminder of God’s love, guidance and His many blessings.”

In 1982, more brainstorming among Fr. Cappelletti, Ms. Tarascio, and Mr. Cook brought about the first 128-page hardbound edition of poetry and inspiration entitled “FAVORITES from the Salesian Collection,” compiled and edited by Ms. Tarascio.

In 1989 the first “Golden Treasury” volume of Salesian poetry, Scripture, and artwork was introduced – a leather-bound 384-page book with gilt-edged pages and a bookmark ribbon. It was another result from the trio of creative geniuses.

To this day Salesian Missions in collaboration with Concord Direct continues the tradition of publishing both small and large inspirational books as well as the “Golden Treasury.”

Each year sees the production and publication of six new small books in English and Spanish, and two new large books in English and one in Spanish.

Currently, Volume V of the “Golden Treasury” is in production.