December 2025 Newsletter

Establishing a Donor Advised Fund with the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas allows you to support the ministries and causes you love while aligning your giving with your Catholic values. It offers a flexible, tax-advantaged way to grow your charitable impact today and create a lasting legacy of faith for generations to come. Through thoughtful stewardship and personalized guidance, your generosity becomes an enduring investment in the Church and our community. Contact us or visit www.cfnek.org/donor-advised-funds to learn more about establishing a Donor Advised Fund.

Important Year-End Dates to Remember

December 30, 2025
Stock gifts must be received by Country Club Trust Company by 2:00 PM.
Stock Gift Instructions.

December 31, 2025
Remember that contributions made by check to the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas must be dated and postmarked by USPS no later than this date.

December 23, 2025 - January 5, 2026
Please note that our offices will be closed from December 23 through January 4 for the Holidays. We will return Monday, January 5, 2026.

Faith in Action at Bishop Ward High School

Bishop Ward High School is a faith-based institution dedicated to educating the whole person-body, mind, and soul-in Christ. Rooted in Catholic values, Bishop Ward forms students academically and spiritually, preparing them to lead lives of faith and service. During a recent visit to Bishop Ward High School, our Executive Director, Derek Lyssy, had the opportunity to spend time on campus and engage with the mission in action. Seeing the learning environment and faith formation firsthand underscored the school’s role in shaping future leaders grounded in Catholic identity.

Bishop Ward is a valued fund holder and partner with us at the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas as we work together to strengthen Catholic education through endowment support. Reach out to us today to learn how you can create a lasting giving legacy by investing in our Catholic faith.

Giving Tuesday 2025 Results

THANK YOU to everyone who gave this Giving Tuesday! This year’s leaderboard reflects an incredible $60,172 raised by 300 generous donors in support of 22 meaningful causes. Because of you, impactful projects will take shape across the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas—strengthening our communities and creating lasting change for years to come. We are deeply grateful for your generosity!

St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lansing, Kansas, is a vibrant faith community of more than 500 households united by a shared call to “Live Jesus!” Inspired by their patron saint, the parish embraces the belief that every person is called to holiness, no matter their stage of life. During a recent visit, our Executive Director, Derek Lyssy, spent time at St. Francis de Sales Parish, experiencing the strength of a community deeply rooted in faith, service, and tradition. As one of the oldest Catholic communities in Kansas, with origins dating back to the mid-1800s, the parish continues to live out its mission of forming disciples and serving generations of faithful. Parishes like St. Francis de Sales play a vital role in the life of our Church. Reach out to us today to learn how you can help ensure Catholic parishes continue to make an impact for years to come.

Please join us on Wednesday, January 28th at 12:00 PM for our Quarterly Investment Update Webinar! During this 30-minute webinar, we’ll review our investment portfolio performance, share insights on the economic outlook, and provide updates on exciting initiatives at the Catholic Foundation. Register now for this informative and engaging session!

Who: Individuals, Parish Finance Councils, School Finance Committees, Fund Trustees, Board Finance Committees, Current or Future Fundholders
What will be reviewed: CFNEK Investment Returns, Broad Market Update, Investment Allocation, CFNEK News
Why: Good stewardship of the funds entrusted to you

A Lasting Gift of Care at St. Mary's Parish

The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas is honored to steward the Greg Taylor Endowment Fund, a lasting expression of care and compassion for the disabled within the community of St. Mary Catholic Parish in Hartford, Kansas.

Established to provide ongoing financial support for those with disabilities, the Greg Taylor Endowment Fund continues to make a meaningful difference in the daily lives of the parish. This past year, distributions from the endowment helped fund the construction of a new hand railing within the church, an improvement that offers greater safety, dignity, and accessibility.

The hand railing now assists parishioners as they approach the ambo to proclaim the Word of God and provides added support for priests, ministers, and visitors as they ascend the altar. What may seem like a simple addition has become a powerful sign of inclusion, ensuring that all who enter St. Mary Catholic Parish can participate more fully in the liturgy.

Through the faithful generosity of those who established and support the Greg Taylor Endowment Fund, the parish community is reminded that stewardship is not only about preserving buildings, but about caring for people. These distributions continue to strengthen St. Mary’s mission of welcoming, serving, and honoring every member of the Body of Christ.

Shaping the Next Generation at Cristo Rey High School

Cristo Rey High School provides a transformative Catholic education for culturally diverse, ambitious students with economic need. Through rigorous academics and its innovative Corporate Work Study Program, Cristo Rey equips students with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in college and beyond. Our Executive Director, Derek Lyssy, recently visited Cristo Rey and witnessed firsthand the school’s powerful impact—from the classroom to real-world workplace experiences—shaping the next generation of leaders grounded in faith, skill, and purpose. Cristo Rey is a valued beneficiary of Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) held at the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas. We would love to help you open a DAF and join us in supporting schools and students like these in Kansas City.

Supporting Prairie Star Ranch

Prairie Star Ranch has been inspiring youth and families across the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas since 2000. What began as the vision of Archbishop James Keleher and Msgr. Tom Tank-to create a dedicated space for youth ministry-has grown into a thriving retreat and adventure center on 291 acres of beautiful hills, woodlands, and prairie. With serene lakes, stunning landscapes, and purpose-built facilities, Prairie Star Ranch provides a place where faith, community, and the love of Christ come alive. Recently, our Executive Director, Derek Lyssy, spent an afternoon at Prairie Star Ranch with Director Gregory Wellnitz, witnessing firsthand the incredible impact of their programs. From high ropes courses and kayaking to swimming and dynamic retreat experiences, Prairie Star invites retreatants and campers to encounter the story of God’s love in meaningful and transformative ways. The ranch also houses Camp Kateri Tekakwitha, offering youth an unforgettable summer filled with adventure, friendship, prayer, and fun that leaves a lasting impression on their hearts. Prairie Star Ranch is a valued partner and fund holder with the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas. Through multiple funds we invest on their behalf, they are able to sustain and grow their mission, ensuring generations of youth and families will continue to experience the joy of faith-filled adventure. Reach out to us today to learn how you can create a giving legacy that supports vital Catholic ministries like Prairie Star Ranch for years to come.

A Life of Care and Community at Santa Marta

Santa Marta in Olathe, Kansas, offers senior living unlike any other-grounded in Catholic values, exceptional hospitality, and spiritual growth. Set on 45 acres of beautiful grounds, Santa Marta combines elegant residences, world-class dining, and Tuscan-inspired architecture to create a lifestyle for active, independent older adults. Beyond luxury, Santa Marta fosters a warm, inclusive culture that encourages fellowship, joy, and personal growth for all residents, regardless of faith.

Recently, our Executive Director, Derek Lyssy, visited Santa Marta, seeing firsthand the care, community, and dedication that make this retirement community so special. From their Life Care plan ensuring priority access to health services to vibrant opportunities for wellness and spiritual enrichment, Santa Marta exemplifies Catholic-sponsored senior living at its finest.

As a valued fund holder with the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, Santa Marta benefits from funds we invest on their behalf, helping them sustain and grow their mission for years to come. Reach out today to learn how you can create a giving legacy that supports Catholic ministries like Santa Marta.

Faithful Stewardship at Work

On a recent visit to Hartford, Kansas, Jane Schmitt had the privilege of spending time with one of the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas’ dedicated board members, Patrick Wiederholt. Pat offered a personal tour of St. Mary Catholic Parish in Hartford, a place that reflects both deep faith and a strong sense of community. He shared stories of its history, its people, and its continued role as a spiritual home for generations of families. Each space spoke to the care and stewardship that have sustained St. Mary’s over the years, rooted in a commitment to faith, service, and hospitality. Beyond his leadership on the Foundation’s board, Pat and his wife also live out their commitment to Catholic stewardship as donor advised fund holders at the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas. Their generosity supports the Church’s mission today while helping ensure its vitality for future generations. This visit was a meaningful reminder that the Foundation’s work is made possible through faithful leaders and generous families who give not only of their resources, but of their time, wisdom, and hospitality.

Excellence in Catholic Education at St. Thomas Aquinas

Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park, Kansas, is a Catholic educational community dedicated to fostering excellence and empowering students to pursue life as a Saint. Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and inspired by their patron, St. Thomas Aquinas, the school forms both the mind and the soul, helping students grow in wisdom, faith, and virtue.

Recently, our Executive Director, Derek Lyssy, visited Saint Thomas Aquinas, experiencing firsthand the school’s commitment to academic excellence, faith formation, and character development. From classrooms to campus activities, it’s clear that Aquinas cultivates students grounded in the Four Cardinal Virtues-Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance-preparing them to lead lives of faith, integrity, and service.

Saint Thomas Aquinas is a valued fund holder with the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas. Through the funds we invest on their behalf, they are able to sustain and grow their mission, ensuring future generations of students continue to thrive in a faith-filled learning environment.

Reach out today to learn how you can create a giving legacy that supports Catholic education and ministries like Saint Thomas Aquinas High School.

December 2025 Newsletter

November 2025 Newsletter