The Ave Maria Funds have a pro-life and pro-family approach to investing.  They have a moral screening process that ensures that stocks are selected in compliance with Catholic teaching regarding abortion, pornography, and policies that undermine the sacrament of marriage.  This is done with a Catholic Advisory Board who ensures that investments are made in companies that do not violate the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.   

The Ave Maria Funds are no-load funds which are built on the philosophy that investors shouldn’t have to sacrifice financial performance for their pro-life and pro-family beliefs.  This philosophy has been made true because the stock funds have beaten the performance of their S&P benchmarks over time since their inception.  

World Equity Fund (AVEWX)

The Ave Maria World Equity Fund invests at least 60% of its assets in companies with headquarters outside the U.S.  The World Equity Fund has yielded 4.16% since its inception on April 30, 2010.  This beats its benchmark, the S&P Global 1200 index, which yielded 3.23% over the same period.

Opportunity Fund (AVESX)

Their Opportunity Fund invests in companies of all capitalizations (small-cap, mid-cap, and large cap) for long-term capital appreciation.  Since inception in 2006, this fund has yielded 2.51% compared to the Russell 2000 yield of 0.48% and the S&P 600 small cap index yield of 1.28% over the same time.

Growth Fund (AVEGX)

The Ave Maria Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation via growth stocks.  This fund has won the Lipper Fund Award twice: in 2009 for the three year period ending 12-31-2008 and again in 2011 for the five year period ending 12-31-2010.  The Lipper award was given for the best fund in the multi-cap core funds category.  The Growth Fund yielded 9.05% since its inception in 2003, compared to the S&P 500 yield of 5.57% over the same time. 

Catholic Value Fund (AVEMX)

This fund seeks long-term capital appreciation in equity investments.  The Catholic Values Fund has yielded 6.06% since its inception in 2001 vs. the S&P 500 yield of only 1.56% over the same period.  This fund invests in established companies of various market caps.

Conclusion

There are many good mutual fund choices here to combine solid market beating performance with beliefs that are consistent with Catholic teachings.  Investing in these funds is something that you can feel good about. They also offer a bond fund to diversify your portfolio.  If you would like more detailed information, visit their website avemariafunds.com.  

If you are bullish on Gold for the long-term,  I would suggest waiting for the next pullback before starting a new position.  If you already have a position in a tradable ETF such as GLD, IAU, UGL, GDX,  or an individual gold stock you should consider taking some profits.  Perhaps sell 25% - 50% of your holdings.  If you just want some downside protection and you already own one of the ETFs consider selling some out of the money call options against your long position.  Look to sell call options that are 10% - 15% out of the money.   As an alternative, you could buy a put option, but they are looking a little expensive right now – the odds are in your favor to sell out of the money call options.