Faith in Action, Legacy in Motion.
Casey Connealy | 2025 Deo Gratias Award for Distinguished Individual
For Casey Connealy, faith and vocation have never been separate paths; they’ve always been intertwined. As an estate planning attorney, husband, father, and devoted Catholic, Casey finds deep joy in uniting his professional calling with his faith. “When I can take something difficult, explain it in a way that gives people peace of mind, and do it not just as a lawyer but as a Catholic helping them prepare not only for their family’s future but for their eternal one, that brings me tremendous joy,” he reflects.
That integration of faith and service has defined Casey’s journey and fueled his contributions to the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas and the wider Church community. Whether giving parish presentations on planned giving, serving on the Finance Council at Holy Trinity Parish, or volunteering with RCIA and his children’s schools, Casey has dedicated his time, talent, and treasure to strengthening the Church for generations to come. Together with his wife, he strives to model a life of generosity and faith for their four children, a legacy rooted in gratitude and stewardship.
Through the Catholic Foundation, Casey has helped hundreds of families understand how faith and finances can work hand in hand. One of his most memorable experiences came at Sacred Heart Parish in Ottawa, Kansas, where a single wills and trusts presentation blossomed into a wave of generosity. “They turned the evening into a true community event,” Casey recalls. “The response was extraordinary; more than a million dollars in future endowment commitments came from that one night. It was a glimpse of the Church’s enduring strength and the true meaning of stewardship: planting trees whose shade we may never sit under.”
That perspective of faithfulness extending beyond one’s lifetime shapes how Casey encourages others to give. His advice is simple: start small, but start. “What matters most is taking that first step,” he says. “Once you do, you begin to see the ripple effect, how even a small act of generosity multiplies and returns tenfold in blessings.”
“Stewardship and planning aren’t about dollars and cents; they’re about caring for family, faith, and legacy.”
Casey Connealy
His message to younger generations carries the same conviction. “If previous generations had embraced endowment building decades ago, our parishes and schools today would be fully funded. It’s not too late; it just means the cultural shift begins with us.” For Casey, planned giving is not about numbers but about mission. “It allows us to educate children, care for those in need, and free our parishes from financial worry so they can focus on
their ministry.”
Those who attend his presentations often leave saying, “This is the first time it all made sense.” For Casey, that moment of clarity, the transformation from anxiety to peace, is what keeps him going. “Stewardship and planning aren’t about dollars and cents; they’re about caring for family, faith, and legacy.”
Receiving the Distinguished Catholic Legacy Society Award is a humbling honor. “I never expected recognition for this work,” he admits. “I just feel immense gratitude to God for His blessings, and to those who have trusted me to help them give back.”
His final message to others considering a legacy gift is heartfelt and profound: “Think of the times God has answered your prayers, maybe not in the way you expected, but always in the way you needed. One of the most meaningful ways to show gratitude for those answered prayers is to help God answer someone else’s. That’s what legacy giving is: letting God use your blessings as instruments of His grace.”
Through his faith, service, and witness, Casey Connealy exemplifies the spirit of stewardship that sustains the Church today and strengthens it for tomorrow. Deo gratias for a life lived in joyful generosity and lasting faith.
