Houston's own Raye G. White accepts Spirit of

Raye G. White and Her Long History of Philanthropy (Screenshot from Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship Facebook page)

Raye G. White, a Houston local, accepted the fifth annual Spirit of Francis Award, last month of Feb. 17.

Embodying the Spirit

According to Crux, the award is a recognition for individuals or groups who have made a “significant impact on the mission of the Catholic Church in America through service or philanthropy.”

The Spirit of Francis Award reportedly embodies the principles of three great men named Francis. Such individuals were St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis, and Father Francis Clement Kelley, the founder of the Catholic Extension.

Mrs. White received the award during a charity dinner event. Father Jack Wall, the president of Catholic Extension, presented the award.

The priest said that the awardee is a “woman whose life exemplifies the importance of faith, the centrality of family, as well as the values of hard work, service, and generosity.”

Catholic Extension

According to their website, the Catholic Extension is a fundraising organization with a mission to help Catholics practice their faith.

They provide financial support, educational partnerships, and infrastructure to poor and remote Catholic communities. These efforts reportedly aim to improve the quality of life and provide a vibrant faith community to their congregation.

The organization has a long history that started all the way back to 1905. Father Francis Clement Kelley founded the organization, then known as the Catholic Church Extension Society, to bring the sacraments to remote faith communities in the country.

With the leadership of Father Jack Wall, the organization continues to support over 15 million American Catholics.

Raye G. White

A true leader, Raye G. White is the Executive Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Fayez Sarofim & Co., an investment firm that has been with the city since 1958.

According to the company website, Mrs. White is also a board member for The Hermann Eye Fund and a Life Director at the University of St. Thomas and the CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare.

As per Crux, her philanthropic work has been essential for programs such as the San Jose Clinic and Catholic Charities, the annual Archdiocesan Prayer Breakfast, and more.

She is also the president of the "Edward P and Raye G White Charitable Foundation" in Houston. Cause IQ reported that the foundation started in 2009 and has helped organizations such as “Aspire To Win,” a crime and legal organization, in their endeavors.

Not a stranger to awards for philanthropy, Mrs. White is also the inaugural recipient of Father TJ Martinez, SJ, Legacy Award back in 2017. According to Culture Map Houston, the award was in lieu of her efforts with the Cristo Rey Jesuit.

In their Facebook page, the Catholic extension voiced out their love and admiration for Mrs. White’s continuous support of “rural mission churches throughout the state of Texas and her passionate concern for the poor.”

In her acceptance speech, she noted previous Spirit of Francis award recipients who came from Texas.

This illustrious list includes the likes of Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston, Bishop Curtis J. Guillory of Beaumont, Texas, and the late Jesuit Father Antonio “T.J.” Martinez.

“I am truly grateful to be in such wonderful company,” she said.