by Mandy Zellers
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Parents of Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) students gathered with Archbishop Shawn McKnight for a special Feast of the Annunciation Mass, followed by a social hour and dinner at the chancery.
The annual event is not a formal gala or fundraiser — it’s something far more intimate. Bringing together families whose children attend Catholic schools through CEF scholarships, the dinner is an opportunity to pause and reflect. It’s a celebration of the powerful, real-life impact of the Catholic Education Foundation and the gratitude that defines its mission.
The Catholic Education Foundation is about saying “yes” to Catholic education — for both parents and donors. It’s a “yes” that often requires sacrifice so children can attend schools that form them in faith and truth. In his homily, Archbishop Shawn McKnight beautifully drew the connection between Mary’s “yes” at the Annunciation and the “yes” parents say each day in choosing a Catholic education for their children.
Vincent Anch, executive director of the Catholic Education Foundation, pointed to two key elements that set Catholic schools apart and why the “yes” is critical.
“The first,” he said, “is the faith component — you can’t measure it and you can’t pay for it. It’s part of what we do, and we weave it through everything in our schools, and that has a lasting impact.
“The other is the family atmosphere — receiving the sacraments and going to Mass with classmates turns friends into extended family members.”
Through scholarships from the Catholic Education Foundation, these families feel the true embrace of a supportive community. A community that supports the “yes.”
Andrea Lawrence, mother of four, was one of those feeling that support.
“I want to thank the Catholic Education Foundation for my kids’ education at Most Pure Heart of Mary [School in Topeka],” she said. “It really has changed all of our lives. They love everyone there, and everyone loves them. I’m truly thankful for the Catholic Education Foundation.”
Michael Cook, parent at John Paul II School in Overland Park, felt likewise.
“CEF, for us, is a way to ensure our kids are raised Catholic,” he said. “We are so blessed because of that. Because of the foundation, our kids are able to continue their Catholic education.”
As the evening drew to a close, the spirit of gratitude and faith lingered — a quiet but powerful reminder of what ties the Catholic Education Foundation community together. The Feast of the Annunciation Mass was more than a celebration; it was a testament to the shared “yes” that echoes through every family, donor and student touched by the Catholic Education Foundation.
