Community’s support keeps small KCK parish school open

by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A small Catholic school on Southwest Boulevard here is “a gem” in its urban neighborhood, said Randy Lopez.

“Holy Name is a place that loves their students, that leads through faith and really values a Catholic education,” he said.

“It makes sure that every student, every family, that walks through those doors feels supported, welcomed and gets what they need through their faith and education,” he added.

Lopez, an alum of Holy Name of Jesus School and one of seven volunteers on its business team, said keeping the school’s doors open wouldn’t be possible without the support of the wider community.

The biggest way supporters can get involved is through Holy Name’s annual Suds & Scholarships fundraising event.

This year’s will be held on April 28 at Boulevard Brewing Company, located at 2501 Southwest Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri.

The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour, followed by dinner at 6:30, a program, silent auction and raffles at 7:30, and last call at 9:15. It will include a buffet dinner, complimentary Boulevard beverages and live entertainment.

Holy Name hopes to raise $90,000.

Kristi Ernsting, a parishioner at Curé of Ars Parish in Leawood and member of the business team, said Holy Name receives support from the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), but Suds & Scholarships provides additional funds that are used for student scholarships, textbooks and other educational materials.

“Holy Name is the smallest parish in the archdiocese with a school,” said Ernsting, “and nearly all of our student families rely on scholarships to attend.”

She stressed the importance of making a faith-based education accessible.

“Catholic education has such a positive impact on children,” she said, “and it’s critical that we keep schools like this thriving in urban neighborhoods.”

This year’s Suds & Scholarships event will be particularly special as principal Randy Smith, who came to Holy Name in 2020 and helped it grow despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19, is retiring after this school year.

“Hands down, Randy Smith has been one of the best principals that Holy Name’s ever had,” said Lopez. “He has been somebody who has led with compassion, who has led with faith and who cares.”

Smith said his time at Holy Name has been special.

“It’s taught me how to serve others better,” he said. “It’s taught me a new way to love others. . . . And it’s been a great opportunity for me to learn about other cultures and different ways that we learn and interact with each other.”

Nathan Girard, Holy Name’s incoming principal, will be introduced at Suds & Scholarships.

The attendance of individuals who aren’t affiliated with Holy Name means everything, said Smith.

“Without those people, we would be lost,” he said. “We are so extremely thankful that those individuals and those organizations make an effort to help our families and our staff here at Holy Name.”

Ernsting encouraged all supporters of Catholic education to participate in Suds & Scholarships.

“This event fosters a tremendous sense of community with people from parishes across the archdiocese coming together to learn about and uplift Holy Name,” she said. “We invite you to be part of it.”

To learn more about Suds & Scholarships, visit the website at: one.bidpal.net/holyname25/welcome. To purchase tickets, click here.

Join the business team

Holy Name of Jesus School in Kansas City, Kansas, is seeking new business team members. The team offers support to Holy Name’s leadership in a variety of ways, including through fundraising efforts. Those who are interested can send an email to: sudsandscholarships@gmail.com.