by Derek Lyssy
As we prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Our Lord Jesus this Advent, we are reminded that this season calls us to conversion and to a holy waiting.
Advent hope is not passive; it is an intentional turning toward Christ. This spirit of hopeful expectation stands in stark contrast to the rush, noise, anxiety and constant striving for more that so often characterize our culture.
Some of my earliest memories of Advent are filled with that beautiful sense of anticipation. Like many children, I was excited for Christmas morning, but I also cherished our family tradition of lighting the Advent wreath each night and praying together from a simple devotional book. Those moments taught me, even before I fully understood it, that Advent invites us to slow down, to pay attention and to remember what truly matters.
This is the same spirit of hope the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas strives to cultivate throughout the archdiocese. Since our establishment, the foundation has been dedicated to ensuring that the mission and ministries of our parishes, schools and Catholic organizations continue to thrive — not only today, but for generations to come.
Our mission is simple, yet profound: to strengthen the church’s future by connecting faith and finances through effective and ethical stewardship.
We work closely with donors and their advisers to design charitable gifts that reflect each person’s unique goals and values. Whether through a donor-advised fund, an endowment fund, a bequest or a charitable gift annuity, we help transform generosity into a legacy of faith.
In this season of preparation, we encourage you to reflect on how God may be inviting you to support the places that have nurtured your faith. Through our partnerships with parishes, schools and many other ministries, we strive to build up the body of Christ and ensure these spaces of hope remain strong for generations to come.
This holy season reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas: the gift of love, hope and peace that Jesus brings into our world. Your prayers, presence and support make our mission possible, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
May the light of Christ fill your hearts and homes this Christmas and throughout the new year. On behalf of all of us at the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
If we can assist you in creating a legacy that offers hope to the next generation, please reach out to us at: cfnek@archkck.org or (913) 647-3062.
