Julia Nemec sees nursing as a calling driven by compassion, service, and a deep respect for human dignity. This past summer, she embodied these values as a camp nurse, prioritizing care and ministry over financial gain. Thanks to the Joyce K. Miller Scholarship, Julia can focus on her studies without financial strain, furthering her commitment to patient-centered care. With a passion for uplifting others and advocating for joy in her profession, Julia is determined to make a lasting impact in nursing and her community.

Mary Maher’s journey toward a nursing career is driven by a heartfelt desire to make a difference in pediatric oncology and the NICU, offering compassionate care to patients and families during their most challenging times. With the support of the Linda A. Hoover Nursing Scholarship, Mary has excelled academically, embraced leadership roles, and deepened her commitment to serving others through clinical training and community service. Her dedication to blending medical expertise with empathy positions her to create meaningful change in healthcare and beyond.

Cathy Colpitts, a parishioner of Most Pure Heart of Mary in Topeka, has made a lasting impact by naming her parish’s Endowment Fund as the beneficiary of her home’s proceeds in her estate plans. A single mother who once struggled to tithe, Cathy’s generous gift reflects her deep faith and gratitude. Facilitated by the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, her contribution ensures enduring support for her parish, enabling her legacy of faith and service to benefit generations to come.

Church of the Ascension, founded in 1991 with 500 families, has grown into a vibrant parish of over 3,300 families. Known for its tithing-supported K-8 school, perpetual Adoration Chapel, and dynamic faith formation programs, the parish fosters spiritual growth and serves as a hub for archdiocesan events. With a $1.8M endowment established in 2006, Ascension supports its mission of hospitality, education, and outreach, embodying a joyful, transformative faith that continues to inspire and serve the community.

Marty and Beth Krebs exemplify faithful stewardship, dedicating their lives to serving their parish and community with love and generosity. Parishioners of Ascension since 1996, they’ve enriched countless lives through their leadership, mentorship, and compassionate service. Marty’s roles on boards and committees and Beth’s work as a spiritual mentor and hospice volunteer reflect their commitment to living their faith. Honored with the Deo Gratias Award, they inspire others to answer God’s call, creating a ripple effect of love and transformation.

The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK) empowers parishes and parishioners through workshops on smarter giving, estate planning, and tax-efficient strategies. In 2023-2024, CFNEK and the Catholic Advisors Network hosted 25 sessions for 724 attendees, covering tools like Donor Advised Funds and Qualified Charitable Distributions. These efforts have inspired impactful giving, including donor-advised funds and estate gifts to parish endowments. By fostering generosity and wise stewardship, CFNEK ensures sustainable support for the mission of parishes across the Archdiocese.

With support from a Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK) grant, a parish school launched "Thankful Thursday," a family-focused event centered on prayer, the Eucharist, and community, drawing 200 attendees. Additional grant funds supported the role of a Community Engagement Coordinator, who fosters connections between school and parish life through gatherings after All-School Mass. These initiatives, guided by faith and supported by CFNEK, are re-engaging families and strengthening the bonds of community within the parish and school.