Granting Wishes and Scholarships

Through outright and planned gifts, benefactors to the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) provide financial aid and grant a wish every day to a Catholic school student. Most often the donor is not aware of the student's level of need, their family situation or their motivation to excel in school, but all students have a dream and each gift makes a difference.

Frida Galvan is a fifth-grader at Holy Family Catholic School, Bensenville, who, along with her brother, receives financial aid scholarship funds from the CEF. Three years ago she was diagnosed with leukemia. "I felt scared, mad, nervous and confused because I didn't know what leukemia was; but I knew it was something very bad," Frida says. "My parents, my family, my friends and my faith helped me with what I am going through."

Frida also had a dream of meeting Pope Francis. Earlier this year, through the generosity of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Frida and her family met the Holy Father, who blessed some items Frida had brought, embraced her and whispered a special blessing in her ear. Frida promises never to reveal the pope's comments. After meeting the pope, Frida said she "felt relaxed, at peace and knew a great weight was taken off my shoulders." What a wonderful wish come true!

Frida recently shared her story with a group of CEF benefactors. "A Catholic education is important to me because we pray a lot as a family," Frida explained. "I pray for my family and friends, which gives me a feeling of peace. I wouldn't be at Holy Family without my dad working two jobs and the help that the Catholic Education Foundation has provided to my family. I thank him and the CEF for their love and support." (View Frida's comments at www.cefjoliet.org.)

Frida also thanked those who make scholarships available for Catholic students. "I can't thank enough my family, friends and all the donors who supported me during my illness and gave me the opportunity to attend Holy Family."

Diocesan School Superintendent Fr. John Belmonte, S.J., recently announced a prayer campaign to benefit Frida and other children suffering from cancer. As a special connection, the prayer campaign invokes the intercession of Venerable Antonietta Meo, a 6-year-old Italian girl who passed into eternal life from cancer in 1937.

Last year the CEF awarded 1,740 Catholic students more than $1.8 million in financial aid. Unfortunately, financial need totaled $3.5 million in 2013-14. For every one student awarded a scholarship, one student was declined due to a lack of funding.

Making a Direct Impact

To support a student's education at any one of our 54 diocesan schools or to leave a legacy in your estate plans for Catholic school scholarships, contact Jane Lagger at (815) 221-6190 or Jlagger@dioceseofjoliet.org.