The St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School Fund was established to benefit financially-struggling parishes, so they can carry out the mission of Catholic education.

Twenty qualified parishes across our Diocese have a significant number of families living at or below the poverty level, making it difficult to support the education of parish youth.

The schools they support – like all parish schools in the Diocese of Wichita – work to form students as disciples of Jesus Christ.

But teachers at these schools earn 28 percent less than those at other diocesan schools. These schools lack support staff; they lack technology; they often lack a functioning library or gymnasium. And their nearly-2,000 students are more likely to depend on parish schools for meals, homework help and emotional support.

Ten million dollars is not enough to fill every need, but through the TOGETHER vision, it could more than double the distribution to parishes each year.

"The students who benefit by our small gifts will profit in their faith formation and foundation. What could be more important than responding to the call to assist in the continued support of such fantastic students who are and will become the future of our Church?"

Jason and Chrissy Searl, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Wichita