LYNNE AND DENNIS JILOT

A Sign of Faith Returning Blessings to the Lord

The Jilots come from humble beginnings. Dennis' father was a mill worker in Green Bay, WI, and Lynne's father was a mail carrier. Faith has always been at the center of their lives. The couple was invited by Bishop Vann to join the leadership team for the Christ Cathedral Campaign. They embraced this historic project and encouraged others to do so. Their hope is that more people will have the opportunity not just to celebrate the new cathedral, but also to be part of a stronger, more vibrant and unified faith community.

The family graciously donated the crucifix over the main altar. The Crux Gemmata - Latin for "jeweled cross" - features a bleached-white cedar image of Christ. The cross is at the heart of the striking cathedral and the heart of our faith. The Jilots felt a special desire to sponsor the crucifix over the altar - believing it is the immediate and eternal visual reminder of why we are Catholic.

"We pray regularly for the wisdom to direct our gifts in the best way to return those gifts to the Lord," says Lynne. "Everyone can look at how they have been blessed and discern how they can best give back. Everyone can play a role, large or small, in supporting the Church."

"We invite all to pray for the wisdom to seek opportunities to give in the right way to the right causes," says Dennis. "We are humbled to play a role in supporting the wonderful bishops, priests, sisters and lay leaders working so hard in our Church to keep growing and moving in a positive way toward salvation - to be with God in heaven."

Residents of Reno, they make their home in Orange County as well and are parishioners at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Laguna Beach, and St. Edward the Confessor Parish in Dana Point. Blessed with the gift of faith and family, they have been married for 51 years, with a son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter in Reno. The list of charitable organizations with which they are involved is substantial. Still, no project is closer to their hearts than Christ Cathedral. "It is magnificent," says Lynne.

"Everyone can look at how they have been blessed and discern how they can best give back. Everyone can play a role, large or small, in supporting the Church."