Ave Maria Growth Fund Receives 2009 Lipper Fund Award

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.--(Business Wire)--
Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc., the investment adviser to the Ave Maria
Mutual Funds, has announced that the Ave Maria Growth Fund (AVEGX) received the
Lipper Fund Award for Best Multi-Cap Core Fund for the 3-year period ending
12/31/08 at the 2009 Lipper Fund Awards. Ave Maria Growth Fund was selected out
of 653 funds in its category. Lipper, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reuters,
presented the award to Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. at a ceremony in New
York on April 2, 2009. Fund manager Jim Bashaw attended the event and received
the award.

The Lipper Fund Awards program highlights funds that have excelled in delivering
consistently strong risk-adjusted performance, relative to peers.

"We are honored to receive this prestigious award which has recognized our feat
of delivering consistent, above-average returns to the shareholders of the Ave
Maria Growth Fund over the long-term," said George P. Schwartz, CFA, president
and CEO of Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. "Jim Bashaw has done a terrific job
managing this Fund and the award serves as a reminder to our shareholders that
they need not sacrifice performance when investing according to Catholic
values."

The Ave Maria Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation from equity
investments in companies that do not violate the core values and teachings of
the Roman Catholic Church and is part of the Ave Maria Family of Funds.

About Ave Maria Mutual Funds

Ave Maria Mutual Funds began operations with the inception of the Ave Maria
Catholic Values Fund (Ticker: AVEMX) on May 1, 2001. Four additional mutual
funds were added over the next five years. Ave Maria Mutual Funds are designed
specifically for investors looking for financially sound investments in
companies that do not violate core teachings of the Catholic Church. Investors
across America can use the five no-load Ave Maria Mutual Funds to build
well-diversified investment portfolios. Ave Maria Mutual Funds place equal
emphasis on investment performance and moral criteria in selecting securities.

About Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc.

Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc. serves as Investment Adviser to Ave Maria
Mutual Funds. A Registered Investment Adviser established in 1980, Schwartz
Investment Counsel, Inc. is committed to providing high quality investment
counsel to families and fiduciaries that choose to take a disciplined approach
to investing. Through rapidly changing economic and market conditions, Schwartz
Investment Counsel, Inc. provides continuity and stability to investment
portfolios through fundamental security analysis and our basic value
orientation.

Ave Maria Growth Fund was awarded the 2009 Lipper Award for Best Multi-Cap Core
Fund for the 3 year period ended 12/31/2008 out of 653 funds. Lipper Fund Awards
are granted annually to the fund in each Lipper classification that consistently
delivered the strongest risk-adjusted performance (calculated with dividends
reinvested and without sales charges). Results are historical and do not
guarantee future results.

All mutual funds are subject to market risk, including possible loss of
principal. Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and
expenses of the Funds before investing. This information is included in the
prospectus, which is available at www.avemariafunds.com or by calling
1-866-AVE-MARIA. Distributed by Ultimus Fund Distributors, LLC.

Schwartz Investment Counsel, Inc.
Robert C. Schwartz, 248-644-7446
rcs@SchwartzInvest.com
or
Kanter & Company, LLC
Barbara Gracey, 703-534-4168

Copyright Business Wire 2009