The Bishop Tony Celino Scholarship Fund for Catholic Schools was established in honor of Bishop Tony's 25th anniversary of priestly ordination. The scholarship fund will provide annual distributions for students to attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of El Paso.
The Bishop Tony Celino Scholarship Fund for Catholic Schools was established in honor of his 25th anniversary of priestly ordination. The scholarship fund will provide annual distributions for students to attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of El Paso.
The Bishop Tony Celino Scholarship Fund for Catholic Schools was established in honor of his 25th anniversary of priestly ordination. The scholarship fund will provide annual distributions for students to attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of El Paso in perpetuity.
The Most Rev. Anthony C. Celino, JCL, D.D. "Bishop Tony", was ordained at St. Patrick Cathedral on June 6, 1997 by Most Reverend Armando Xavier Ochoa, D.D.
Bishop Tony Celino is the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of El Paso and has served at St. Raphael Parish, St. Patrick Cathedral, churches in West Texas, and Santa Lucia, now St. John Paul II. He is the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of El Paso. He was the delegate of the apostolic administrator for the Diocese during the time of sede vacante and served as the judicial vicar of the Diocese for over 20 years.
Fr. Tony's inspiration for the scholarship fund was his parents' commitment to send him and his six siblings to Catholic schools. His mother, Mines (Mee-ness) Cerdan Celino, was a school teacher from 1957 to 1991. She raised the Celino children by herself after her husband's sudden passing.
Fr. Tony's experiences serving parishes with schools showed him that there is more need than ever for faith and discipline in children's lives. He wants to ensure that kids have more opportunities to attend Catholic school in the Diocese of El Paso because he knows what a Catholic education did for him, his brothers and sisters, and so many others.
Mines nurtured Fr. Tony's vocation to the priesthood, and his connection to family and culture. She told each one of her children, "Never forget where you came from."
Endowed funds provide a vehicle through which individuals make outright or planned gifts that will have an everlasting impact on the ministry/parish/school. In time the income generated by the gift will far exceed the original donation.
As a result, endowed funds provide a perpetual, supplemental source of income for such things as the enhancement of programs and ministries, facilities maintenance, scholarships and seminary assistance, priest retirement, etc. Learn more about endowed funds.
In addition to online donations, there are a variety of ways you can donate to support this fund.
To donate by phone, please call:
(915) 872-8412
(Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT)
To mail your donation:
Download our Donation Form PDF
Monthly giving is a powerful way to provide sustainable, long-term support. As little as $20 (66 cents a day) can make a difference for the people helped by the parishes, schools, ministries, and charities in the Diocese of El Paso.
Creating a bequest in your will for the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso is a powerful statement in your legacy, and costs you nothing today.
Donors may create a Named Fund benefiting the endowed fund of their choice with a gift or pledge of $10,000 or more over a five-year period. If you're interested in creating a legacy in honor or memory of a loved one, contact us online or call (915) 872-8412.
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