Campaign’s teacher salary enhancement endowments receive their latest deposits
As part of the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign, one of the most significant commitments made across the Diocese of Wichita was the establishment of 38 new endowments dedicated to enhancing Catholic school teacher salaries. Last month marked an important milestone in continuing to fulfill that commitment, as the second annual deposit was completed for each of these endowments. In total, more than $6.269 million has now been deposited into these endowments. These deposits represent campaign pledges that have been fulfilled so far and are already providing real and lasting support for Catholic schools throughout the diocese. As additional campaign pledges are received, annual deposits will continue each January until the full endowment amount is reached.
“I am deeply grateful for the generosity shared through the Fully Alive! Campaign by so many in our diocese. As a Catholic school teacher for more than 20 years, it’s humbling to be on the receiving end of such support,” said Gloria Puetz, second grade teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School, Ost. “Knowing that our leaders have worked so intentionally to care for teachers in a way that provides stability both now and into the future makes this especially meaningful.”
For all of our Catholic schools, this added support is essential. Sustainable funding for teacher compensation helps the diocese’s schools attract and retain dedicated educators who view their work not simply as a profession, but as a vocation – forming students intellectually, spiritually, and morally in the light of Christ.
As principal of St. Patrick Catholic School in Kingman, Joel Arnold has seen firsthand how addressing teacher compensation is critical to sustaining Catholic education. “Many of our teachers quietly endure the challenge of trying to make ends meet with their family budgets. While they are committed to Catholic education, it can be discouraging to know their public school counterparts are making $5,000-$10,000 more each year. I am so thankful that Bishop Kemme and Janet Eaton, along with countless others who supported the campaign effort, have taken steps for our diocese to help remedy this disparity so we can provide a just wage,” Arnold said.
The latest deposits are also a reminder that the Fully Alive! Campaign was designed with a long-term vision in mind. Although the campaign provided the initial momentum, the true strength of these endowments will be shaped by continued stewardship over time. Ongoing contributions through both annual and planned gifts will allow these endowments to expand beyond their original campaign funding, ultimately advancing the mission of Catholic education across the diocese.
Fr. J.D. Betzen, pastor of St. Patrick in Chanute, sees the campaign as sparking the initial momentum that will sustain these teacher endowments for years to come. “I am blown away by the generosity of the faithful, and how our shared response will positively impact not only St. Patrick here in Chanute, but all Catholic schools of the diocese for years to come. The investments made in teachers during the Fully Alive! Campaign, coupled with opportunities for ongoing endowment support moving forward, show that we, as a diocese, value educators who pour into our youth,” said Fr. Betzen.
This remarkable milestone is a shared achievement made possible by thousands of faithful in the diocese who responded generously during the One Family, Fully Alive in Christ! Campaign. As these endowments continue to grow each year, they already serve as a lasting testament to what can be accomplished when we come together as one family. Those who have not yet participated, or feel compelled to make an additional campaign gift, still can be part of this unifying moment for the diocese. Visit OneFamilyFullyAlive.org to learn more or to make a gift.
For more information about supporting a school-specific teacher salary endowment, please contact Mike Wescott ([email protected], 316-269-3915) or Connor Meier ([email protected], 316-440-1755).