KLARA CVITANOVICH TO RECEIVE ST. JPII AWARD
While you may know the Cvitanovich family for their restaurant’s delicious charbroiled oysters, today we highlight the generosity of their family. In particular, we highlight the generous heart of Klara Cvitanovich, the matriarch of the Cvitanovich family and the recipient of the 2022 Saint John Paul II Award. Klara’s generosity has impacted the lives of countless people within the community of New Orleans, but not before her own life was influenced by the generosity of others.
Born in communist-occupied Yugoslavia on March 1, 1939, Klara’s life was marked by adversities caused by war and political strife, but also by the love and generosity of others. Klara recounts a memory of a humble nun, Sister Natalina, who lived just a stone’s throw from her home and who profoundly influenced her faith.
This simple phrase became carved into Klara’s heart and mind as a permanent reminder of Jesus’ love for her. Klara now lives out her Catholic faith through her commitment to Sunday Mass and her consistent support of her parish, Catholic schools, and ministries across the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Doing good for others is one of the most important aspects of her Catholic identity.
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ANNUAL DINNER
CELEBRATING CATHOLIC GENEROSITY
Date:
Time:
Where:
Registration:
October 6, 2022
6 p.m. Cocktails | 7 p.m. Dinner
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
www.ccfnola.org/annual-dinner
The Sister would say to her,“Just remember, Jesus loves you. He stretches out his arms on the cross to hug you. He tilts his head just to see you.”
Klara’s faith would be both tested and strengthened when her father was arrested and held in prison for a year by the German Gestapo during World War II. She was the oldest of three children and felt responsible for providing for her younger siblings. “We were afraid and had little to survive on. We could only eat what we produced on our father’s farm,” she said.
But even amid this great need and hunger, Klara had a life-changing experience through the generosity of others. The school she was attending received a donation of food from a U.S. economic assistance program called Marshall’s Plan. On that day, Klara ate cheese, bread, and milk until satisfied.
Klara recalled this experience as tears began to fill her eyes, “It felt as though I had never eaten anything so delicious. My soul felt such a deep sense of gratitude.” At that moment she thought to herself, “I want to help feed people like this.”
She had received the love of
In 1992, Klara, now living in the U.S., was heartbroken when war broke out again in Croatia. Klara did not hesitate to find ways to help her country. As a couple, she and her late husband, Drago Cvitanovich, began filling containers with food, medical supplies, and clothes to send to Croatia. Through the combined efforts of our generous New Orleans community and Caritas, an international Catholic charity organization, Klara sent twenty shipping containers holding over 40,000 pounds of much-needed aid.
“I was inspired by the generosity of the community. I couldn’t have done it without them,” said Klara. She even flew to Croatia to confirm the shipment’s safe arrival. She selflessly led these efforts for years, connecting generous people with those who were suffering in her native land.
Klara credits her generosity to God’s blessings on their family’s restaurant, Drago’s. When Klara and Drago first
opened the restaurant in 1969, their goal was simply to provide guests with a good time and delicious seafood, but they never imagined how far that their goal would take them. Today, Drago’s has six locations throughout the Gulf South.
“The more we grew, the more we were able to give back, and the more we gave back, the more we grew. Many people go to Drago’s because they know we help people,” commented Klara. The Cvitanovich family truly understands the meaning of the famous Saint Francis prayer, “it is in giving that we receive.”
The restaurant has been an outlet for Klara and her family to help the New Orleans community for years. On various days of the year, Klara donates the proceeds from their restaurant to causes that are important to the family.
Her generosity was especially visible when Hurricane Katrina devastated the community in 2005. Klara, along with her son Tommy, and the rest of the family volunteered to stay and help feed many in need.
One thing is for certain; Klara’s generosity has been felt throughout the communities within the Archdiocese of New Orleans and beyond our country’s borders. From feeding people in times of great need to leading others on pilgrimage to Medjugorje, to simply caring for her parish and family, Klara is a shining example of a charitable soul.
She is very worthy of receiving the Saint John Paul II Award, which honors the virtues of humility, gratitude, and charity. Her actions and heart truly embody all of these. The Catholic Community Foundation and Archbishop Gregory Aymond are honored to present the award to Klara Cvitanovich at this year’s Annual Dinner on October 6th, as we celebrate her and all generosity within our Catholic community.
God, Himself, through the generosity of others, and then felt a burning desire to give back to others.
Drawing from her own childhood experience, Klara stated, “I want to provide a meal when people need it. I never want to turn away someone that is hungry and truly in need.”
We are at our best when we are generous. Let us celebrate Klara for strengthening the body of Christ and fostering generosity in our community.
