Testimonials

Paul and Patty Scaletty have been married for 37 years. They attend St. Paul’s Catholic Parish in Olathe, Ks. This year they decided to sell their home of 19 years. It is always difficult to sell the home where the children are raised, but it was especially poignant for Paul and Patty.

As a young couple it was a priority for Paul and Patty to form their six children in the Catholic faith, and even though it was not always easy, all six children attended St. Paul’s school, and Saint Thomas Aquinas High School.

In 1989 after a business failure they moved from St. Mary’s in Parsons, Ks. to Olathe with no money. They were in dire need of a home to raise their family, but money extremely tight. When they posed their situation to a Catholic co-worker, she introduced them to a woman who lived near St. Paul’s. It was very important to the owner that the house, which had six bedrooms, go to a big Catholic family that was sending their children to St. Paul’s School. When they came to the door humbly to see the home they were stopped at the door by the owner and asked if they were Catholic, how many children they had, and would they be going to Catholic school. When they replied six and yes, she said, “ok, you can buy the house.” The house had not been for sale. She and her deceased husband had raised nine children in the home. She said the house was built to raise a family in, and since hers was raised, it needed another one. They hadn’t even been inside yet. “Had it not been for this woman’s faith and trust,” Paul stated, “we don’t know where we would have ended up.”

Paul and Patty had no more than moved in than the family car broke down. Another Catholic neighbor saw the need and loaned them a van for over 2 years. They couldn’t even pay for the insurance.

It was in times like this that they knew the Holy Spirit was taking care of them through the generosity of others. Looking back over a lifetime of blessings they wanted to thank God for the little things that had helped put their lives back on the right track, or the little things that led to a stable marriage. They also wanted to thank God for help raising their children, and for so many other blessings. “You can’t be that lucky!” Paul said. They always had a soft spot for people who could “use a little help.”

Recently Paul and Patty made it a priority to update their will to reflect their appreciation toward those from the church who had always seemed to be there when they needed a hand. While reading the Leaven they saw an article on planned giving through the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK). A short phone call to Gary Pratt, Associate Director of Planned Giving, Office of Stewardship & Development at the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, and help was on the way. No pressure, just help!

Paul and Patty decided to make the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas the beneficiary of 1/7th of the remainder of their estate at death “to serve the less fortunate.” It was so easy. Paul says “If we win the lottery it will be a lot, if not, hopefully it will be enough to help someone. It does not get any easier to give than this.”

Actions speak louder than words, and Paul and Patty Scaletty are setting the example they have led throughout their lives for their children to see when the estate is settled. Notifying the archdiocese that the Church was in their will was all it took to join the Catholic Legacy Society, a list of people committed to the long term vitality of the Catholic Church in Northeast Kansas through a bequest. Legacy Society members are recognized for their contributions at an annual mass with the Archbishop.