Catholic Financial Life Donates $300,000 to Support Catholic Education throughout Milwaukee
Gift made in honor of retired Superintendent of Milwaukee Catholic Schools Kathleen Cepelka

On March 10, during the Archbishop's annual Catholic Schools Dinner event co-chair and Catholic Financial Life President and CEO, John Borgen, announced the organization would make its largest donation in company history: $300,000 in honor of retired Superintendent of Milwaukee Catholic Schools, Kathleen Cepelka’s lifetime of services to Catholic education.

This gift was made to support Catholic education through the Milwaukee Catholic Schools, and notes that $250,000 of the donation will benefit the “Love One Another” campaign. The campaign is a bold plan to strengthen every parish, increase vital ministries, support education, grow charitable outreach and support priests, deacons, seminarians and lay ministers in Milwaukee. The additional $50,000 will benefit Seton Catholic Schools, which was co-founded by Kathleen Cepelka and Archbishop Jerome Listecki.

Throughout her 53 years of service, Kathleen played a pivotal role in Catholic education not only in Milwaukee but across Wisconsin. During his remarks at the event, John spoke about Kathleen’s impact on the community during her tenure, stating: “It is impossible to count the number of lives you have touched and it is difficult to put into words what you mean to Catholic education in this Archdiocese. Kathleen, you made a difference in so many people’s lives and have an enduring legacy. We make these gifts to help build a bridge to the future that you helped create.”

In addition to Catholic Financial Life’s donation, funds raised at the annual Archbishop’s Catholic schools dinner support the Grant Initiatives for Today’s Students (GIFTS) program. These donations will be used to provide $5,000 and $10,000 grants to Catholic schools throughout the community. These grant donations uphold Catholic Financial Life’s commitment to Catholic education by supporting schools with a strong Catholic identity, encouraging and facilitating their innovative and creative instructional programs. Catholic Financial Life will ensure the next generation of students are set up for success in the schools that wish to see them thrive.

Learn more about Catholic Financial Life’s support of Catholic education.