Planning for the future
2024-25 Educational Workshops
On May 21, 2025, the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK) partnered with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa to host a Wills & Trusts Workshop attended by 52 parishioners from Sacred Heart and neighboring communities. The workshop offered practical guidance on how thoughtful estate planning can bring peace of mind for families while strengthening parishes and the broader faith community for generations to come.
Led by estate planning attorney Casey Connealy of Gaughn & Connealy, the session addressed key topics such as honoring medical wishes, caring for loved ones, and continuing parish and charitable support through intentional planning. Reflecting on the evening, Connealy noted the strong parish engagement and shared that the workshop positioned Sacred Heart to benefit from more than $1 million in future gifts, a powerful testament to the impact of informed stewardship.
Workshops like this reflect CFNEK’s mission to help Catholics make informed decisions about their financial and charitable legacies. Through partnerships with parishes and professional advisors in the Catholic Advisors Network, CFNEK provides education on estate planning, tax-efficient giving strategies, and long-term stewardship.
The fruits of one evening at Sacred Heart demonstrate how even a single workshop can inspire generosity that strengthens families, supports parishes, and sustains the Church for future generations.