A Pro-Life Church Hall Meeting organized by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee last fall included speakers, displays and opportunities for pro-life representatives from parishes and organizations to network. (Photo by Kristen Kubisiak)

Exciting pro-life developments that are in progress or on the horizon in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee took center stage at a Pro-Life Church Hall Meeting in New Berlin.

Respect life and human concerns leaders from across the archdiocese filled the Holy Apostles Welcome Center to learn about new initiatives and report on their recent activities.

Leading the event was Dcn. Jim Matthias, the director of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Respect Life Ministry. Matthias noted that the dignity and sanctity of human life is at the core of many issues, making them “pro-life.” However, the cardinal issues are abortion, immigration, capital punishment, eugenics, euthanasia, doctor-assisted suicide, domestic violence, human trafficking, post-abortive healing and criminal violence.

“The Catholic Church teaches that abortion is the preeminent issue,” Dcn. Matthias said. “More lives are lost each year due to abortion than due to any of the other causes. So, priority is given to upholding and defending our brothers’ and sisters’ most basic right — to live.”

The leaders shared some ways their parishes amplified and added to pro-life efforts during October, which is Respect Life Month. These included: participating in 40 Days for Life and Life Chain activities, collecting funds for Baby Bottles for Life, hosting baby showers and diaper drives for life-affirming pregnancy support services, offering Holy Hours and the Traveling Rosary for Life, as well as displaying crosses, pink and blue ribbons, banners and a new pro-life flag to raise awareness.

One pro-life milestone announced at the meeting that has been in the works is the establishment of the first modern-day Catholic maternity home in Milwaukee. The residence will be modeled after Mater Filius, which was founded in March 2003 in Mexico City as a nonprofit Catholic apostolate to serve women and their families facing an unexpected pregnancy. Today there are 26 affiliates world-wide of Mater Filius — Latin for “Mother and Child” — including six in the United States.

Edward Sanchez, who is the board president of the Women’s Support Center in Milwaukee and has been involved in the effort, shared some project updates.

“We have received permission from the archbishop to pursue a home, to raise money for it — all in private donations, not taking anything away from the Archdiocese — and we are prepared to begin incorporation.”

Mater Filius homes typically accommodate up to 10 women, who, in addition to having basic needs met, receive medical care, education, emotional support, employment assistance and workshops on topics such as prenatal care and parenting and life skills — all offered in a structured, but home-like, nurturing environment. While Mater Filius is rooted in Catholic tradition, expectant mothers are welcome regardless of their backgrounds or religious affiliations.

“They can be in the home during the whole term of their pregnancy and then eight months afterwards,” Sanchez said. “What we try to do during that time is help them transform their lives.”

There is still much work to do before Mater Filius is ready to begin serving pregnant women and families in the community, Sanchez said, and there are plenty of ways to show support, from volunteering to making a donation. For more information about the evolving project, email edward.sanchez@marquette.edu.

Pro-life Programs for Teens & Young Adults

Representatives from Wisconsin Right to Life and Students for Life shared some ways their organizations have been supporting pro-life education and opportunities for high school and college students.

One initiative that has been especially successful is the Teen Impact Box Subscription. The subscription is offered by Wisconsin Right to Life, an organization that has saved 201,308 lives from the threat of abortion in Wisconsin since 1987 and continues to change hearts, minds and policies in the state.

Chelsea Duffy, who represented the organization, explained that the boxes were first launched during the pandemic as a way to connect with pro-life teens when live events and programs were prohibited. Since then, subscriptions have increased from 100 to 600.

“Our Teen Impact Subscriptions Boxes give pro-life teens who need to be edified the facts about the pro-life movement, as well as the resources they need to learn how to express their beliefs to peers,” Duffy said.

Each box focuses on a different topic, including pro-life apologetics, euthanasia, prenatal development and supporting pregnant students.

“Our students absolutely love these because they get that feeling of involvement right in the comfort of their own homes,” Duffy said. “But they’re also empowered with the tools to take this out into their community.”

Educating high school and college students about how to effectively and positively contribute to the pro-life conversation is critical, said Matt Murphy. Murphy spoke on behalf of Students for Life, an organization that focuses on empowering students to start pro-life groups on college, high school and graduate campuses.

“Basically, there are two ends of the pro-life spectrum,” he said. “On one end, you have pro-lifers who can be adamant to the point of coming across as completely insensitive to the needs and desires of those who are most vulnerable in our society. On the other end, you have pro-lifers who are hesitant to speak out at all because they fear the controversy it will create and they don’t want to ‘poke the bear.’”

Murphy provides pro-life apologetics resources and training to help students “embrace the controversy” while engaging with compassion and kindness.

Wisconsin Right to Life also offers programs, such as the five-day Teen Impact Camp, to educate youth about the pro-life movement. Duffy, who attended the camp in 2010, called it “transformative.”

“There are speakers, and we have a day at the Capitol where we meet with legislators and learn more about the legislative process and how they can get involved,” Duffy said. “They build deep relationships with their peers. I am still friends with people I went to camp with back in 2010. There are also water balloon fights and other fun activities one would expect to find at a summer camp.”

Duffy and her family have established the Ewan Duffy Scholarship (in honor of her deceased son) for teens who would be otherwise unable to attend due to financial reasons.

“I feel very passionately about the future of the pro-life movement, and we want to make sure no kid is turned away,” she said.

Pro-Life Programs in the Parishes

Other pro-life advocates from around the Archdiocese of Milwaukee at the Church Hall event reported on the programs that have been successful in their specific parish communities. These included The Gospel of Life Study Series, Walking with Moms in Need and Heavenly Babies.

Gospel of Life Study Series

The Gospel of Life program is a six-part study series based on the papal encyclical Evangelium vitae, written by St. John Paul II while he was pope in 1995 to reaffirm the value and inviolability of every human life and make an appeal to all people to respect, protect, love and serve every human life.

Kevin Gilpin, who serves on the Respect Life Committee at Holy Apostles, presented the study two years ago at his home parish, then most recently brought the program to St. John Vianney in Brookfield.

“The program consists of six sessions, one per month, on each of the topics of the study series,” Gilpin said. To provide additional context, Gilpin augmented the study with research dating back to the early 1800s on the history of contraception and techniques of abortion, also noting other encyclicals written by popes throughout history. Each session requires about 20 pages of reading, except for the first and last.

Gilpin offered to help anyone who’d like to bring the program to their parish. He can be reached at kevin_gilpin@yahoo.com.

Walking with Moms in Need

On March 25, 2020, the Church celebrated the 25th anniversary of Evangelium vitae. At that time, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities invited parishes to join a nationwide effort called Walking with Moms in Need.

Dr. Patrick Lehman, a pediatrician in Brookfield, has been leading the effort at St. John Vianney, organizing volunteers to help build an archdiocesan resources list for pregnant women in need.

“I see moms every day that are just fighting the good fight,” he said. “Moms that have troubles, moms that have babies that have very difficult medical conditions. I am here today because I want to be able to support those moms, but also moms in the community.”

The goal of Walking with Moms in Need is to identify and aggregate a list of all of the services and resources in a community so that any parish located in that community can easily connect mothers with the help they need — should they seek it. Lehman and his volunteers have been doing this in Waukesha County but would like to see the same effort take place in Milwaukee and Racine Counties so a comprehensive list of resources is available.

To help, contact Lehman at patrick.lehman@gmail.com.

Heavenly Babies

Heavenly Babies is a ministry that provides mothers in need with a “baby shower in a bag.” It’s a program that has a long history at St. Paul Catholic Church in Genesee Depot and is currently led by Susan Fine.

“In the late ’60s and early ’70s, a lady from our parish went to a baby shower and saw all the nice items that this new mom was receiving. And all of a sudden, this seed was planted, and she said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if everybody got a baby shower in a bag, or baby shower items like this mom is getting?’” Fine said. “The woman came back to the church, and they came up with the ministry.”

Today Heavenly Babies provides baby supplies to 12 different agencies and is made up of 20 volunteers.

For more information about Heavenly Babies, contact Fine at sfine56038@aol.com.

The next Pro-Life Church Hall Meeting is tentatively set for March. To be notified when details are available, contact Dcn. Matthias at matthiasj@archmil.org.

Alverno College held its 168th commencement Saturday, Dec. 16, conferring 105 bachelor’s and associate degrees, 165 master’s degrees and 30 doctoral degrees in Pitman Theatre on the campus of the South Side Milwaukee college. (Photos by David Bernacchi)

The Doll family is a “Schoenstatt Family,” meaning they have entered into a “covenant of love” with the Mother Thrice Admirable, a title given to the Blessed Mother. (Submitted photo)

Rebecca Willard likens the Schoenstatt movement — and the way in which it invites the transformative intercession of the Blessed Mother into one’s daily life — to spring cleaning.

“You know how you sweep, and sometimes you sweep around things?” said the mother of four, who is a parishioner at Holy Apostles Parish, New Berlin. “Well, if you welcome Mary to live with you, she will make sure to move everything so the whole floor is clean. In your life, she will change things for the better — to guide you to the Lord’s will and the path he wants to take you.”

But what is Schoenstatt, and what is a “Schoenstatt Family?”

Very briefly, Schoenstatt is a global ecclesial movement that includes both the laity and clergy. It was founded in 1914 by Fr. Joseph Kentenich, a Pallottine priest, in the German village of Schoenstatt. It is centered on everyday holiness and spiritual renewal through reliance on the “Mother Thrice Admirable,” a title Schoenstatters give to the Blessed Mother.

“Schoenstatt is more than a spirituality for me,” said Dawn Doll, a parishioner at Shepherd of the Hills in Eden in Fond du Lac County. “It’s a way of life.”

“What the Schoenstatt means to me spiritually is so deeply rooted at being selfless and striving for sanctity,” agreed Willard. “It is my whole being.”

Ed and Teri Sanchez, parishioners of St. Anthony in Milwaukee, have been involved in the Schoenstatt movement for more than a decade and represent the Schoenstatt Family League, an organization for couples who “make the aims of Schoenstatt their own and who live its spirituality,” they said.

“Some ways the Schoenstatt Family League has worked for the spiritual renewal within the Church here in Milwaukee has been through engaging families in couples’ retreats, family retreats, days for families in the summer, small couples’ groups,” said Ed Sanchez. “During this year of the Eucharistic Revival, we have had Eucharistic Adoration for families.”

Couples enter the league when they make a “covenant of love” with the Mother Thrice

Admirable after a period of spiritual preparation.

“Sealing the Covenant of Love with the Blessed Mother means that you want to offer her your whole life — good, bad, difficulty, sadness, joy, all of it — and that she accepts you as her child, as you are, and promises to bring you closer to her son each day,” said Doll. “It means living your life with and through the Blessed Mother every day — at least, that is what we strive for.”

“Through the covenant, there are promises and requests between our Mother and each of us personally,” explained Willard, who along with her husband sealed her Covenant of Love in 2020. She described the essence of the covenant as “two-sided giving: We give ourselves to our Holy Mother and she gives herself to us as Queen and Mother.”

On the third Sunday of each month, the Schoenstatt Family gathers at the International Schoenstatt Retreat Center in Waukesha for Mass, followed by a procession to the shrine to renew their covenant with Mary, with opportunities for fellowship and lunch (all families, even those who have not made the covenant, are welcome).

A replica of the original chapel in the German village where Fr. Kentenich first founded the movement, Waukesha’s Schoenstatt Shrine is one of more than 200 “daughter shrines” that exist throughout the world.

The Waukesha shrine feels like “a spiritual home for our family,” said Doll.

“All of our children have (made) or are in the process of making the Covenant of Love,” she said. Before important life transitions, she and Kevin like to take the children to Mass — at the Shrine, if possible. “As they grow up and move away for different reasons, we entrust them to our Blessed Mother, and we know she will protect them when and where we cannot.”

Just as important as the Shrine — with a capital “S” — to Schoenstatters is the shrine — with a lowercase “s.” Most Schoenstatt families maintain a home shrine that serves as the center of their daily quest for holiness. “Living the covenant starts in our home shrine, where (Our Lady) is always present to help us individually and as a family,” said Kevin Doll. “It is the center of our prayers, morning and evening.”

“Every Schoenstatt family names their home shrine,” said Teri Sanchez. The Sanchez family shrine is named “Water into wine” — “to remind us that God takes the ordinary events in our life and transforms them into great blessings.”

For the last 10 years, the Sanchezes have maintained a book of thanksgiving and petitions at their home shrine. “Periodically, we review this book, and we can see how the Blessed Mother has interceded and worked miracles of grace,” said Ed Sanchez, who said that they are always left “grateful and amazed” when reflecting on this book.

Indeed, the “miracles of grace” worked by the Mother Thrice Admirable are evident in the lives of Milwaukee’s Schoenstatt Family League. Living out her covenant, Willard discerned the call to homeschool her children; Kevin Doll is now in formation to become a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee; and Dawn Doll has taken on the role of Director of Religious Education at St. Matthew and Shepherd of the Hills parishes in Campbellsport and Eden. All cited their involvement with Schoenstatt as a crucial part of their spiritual development.

“If you do this (live out the covenant), you better watch out, because things will change in your home,” said Willard.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson spoke to fourth graders at St. Anthony School in early December, discussing his upbringing and his role in the office. (Submitted photo)

BY KRISTIN BAYER

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson visited the fourth graders at St. Anthony School in early December.

“Our fourth graders are studying different forms of government, particularly local government,” said St. Anthony Upper Elementary Principal Angela Hamilton. “One of the teachers reached out, and the mayor’s office enthusiastically replied.”

There were several goals for the mayor’s visit, Hamilton said.

“I’m hoping that they understand exactly what it takes to be mayor. They have been researching it, but it’s more powerful to hear about it from someone in the job than from reading about it,” she said. “Also, he has come through various struggles in his life, and it’s inspirational to show the children that there’s no limit to what you can dream, and what you can do.”

There are approximately 100 fourth graders at St. Anthony’s this year, and they gave the mayor an enthusiastic welcome, waving and high-fiving him as he walked into the room.

The mayor began by explaining to the students the structure of the city’s government, and the types of services it provides to residents.

“If you dial 911, who comes? The police department or the fire department. And the city is responsible for making sure we have a police department and a fire department,” he said.

“When it gets colder and snows, and the snow plow comes down the street, guess what? That’s the city of Milwaukee coming down the street. When you take the garbage out of your house and put it in the big garbage can, it’s the city of Milwaukee that comes to collect it.”

He asked the students to guess the size of the city’s budget. Their guesses ranged from $35,000 to $2 million. They were astonished when he told them that it’s actually closer to $2 billion.

He talked to the students about some of the challenges he faced growing up. “I knew what it was like not to have enough to eat, to move around a lot, to have bad things happen in my neighborhood,” he said.

It was around the time he was in fourth grade, he told them, that he made a decision about how he wanted his life to be when he grew up. He told them that he made the decision to work hard in school, and to pay attention to his teachers and his parents.

“This is a time that you can set out to make decisions that affect the rest of your life.”

Mayor Johnson shared stories of mentors who made a difference in how he thought about himself and what he could accomplish, lessons he has taken with him into his adult life.

“If you face a challenge, never, ever give up,” he said. “If you’re willing to work hard, you can accomplish anything you want. Chase things you’re passionate about. Don’t chase after dollars. Chase after things that are important to you.”

The mayor provided students with time for questions. They came prepared, asking more than 20 questions, from “What’s your favorite food?” (pizza) to “What have you learned since being mayor?”

“Part of their social studies curriculum has been not just researching what a mayor does, but Mayor Johnson specifically,” Hamilton said. The students had spent time curating questions, “to have really good meaty questions, so they can learn from the answers given.”

Answering their questions, Mayor Johnson explained how elections work, his path to becoming mayor, the hours he works, his favorite part of being the mayor and his favorite holiday. He explained what he does on a typical day, and that there is no typical day when you’re the mayor of a big city.

“There is no manual (for the mayor’s job),” he said. “You just know you have to serve your constituency.”

“People are not so different,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what neighborhood you go to. People care about a couple of things. People want to be safe. They want the quiet, peaceful enjoyment of their homes. I’ve learned there’s a lot of unity in how people think across all the neighborhoods in the city.”

He explained to students that although he lost elections in the past, he never gave up. “I think someone in this room, in the future, could be mayor of Milwaukee. You guys are smart and capable.”

The school’s president, Dr. Rosana Mateo, was pleased with Mayor Johnson’s visit. “We’re very appreciative of the mayor coming here and being part of our community. We believe our students have a very close connection because he does come here once a year, and having that connection is important for them and for the community.”

According to Hamilton, “It’s important for kids not just to read about it but to experience it firsthand, and to make connections firsthand.”

Arise Family Day in Menomonee Falls in July 2023. (File photo)

JANUARY

1 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

1 – New Year’s Day

1 – World Day of Peace

1 – Emmaus 90 Launch (through Easter)

5 – Arise Family Adoration

13 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service

18-25 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

20 – Respect Life Mass

21 – Sunday of the Word of God

22 – Day of Prayer for the Protection of Unborn Children

23 – Natural Family Planning Summit

28-Feb. 3 – Catholic Schools Week

FEBRUARY

2-4 – Winter Weekend Retreat for Young Adults

2 – Arise MKE Gala

3-4 – Catholic Stewardship Appeal Kickoff

4 – World Day for Consecrated Life

7-14 – National Marriage Week

8 – World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking

11 – World Day of the Sick

11 – World Marriage Day

14 – Ash Wednesday

15 – Archbishop’s Pallium Lecture

18 – Rite of Election (Cathedral)

19 – Presidents Day

22 – Catholic Charities Lenten Lunch (Greater Milwaukee)

27 – Catholic Charities Lenten Lunch (Quad Counties North)

29 – Catholic Charities Lenten Lunch (Tri Counties South)

MARCH

1 – Arise Family Adoration

1-3 – Marriage Prep Retreat

2 – Celebration of Catholic Scouting

3 – Rite of Election (Cathedral)

5 – Catholic Schools Dinner

7 – Catholic Charities Lenten Lunch (Lake Country)

9 – Men of Christ

9 – Hispanic Men’s Encuentro

15 – Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally (Catholic School Edition)

16 – Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally (High School and Middle School)

20 – Pray, Reconcile, Rejoice – Lenten Day of Reconciliation

24 – Palm Sunday

26 – Chrism Mass

28 – Holy Thursday

29 – Good Friday

30 – Easter Vigil

31 – Easter Sunday

APRIL

Child Abuse Prevention Month

5 – Arise Family Adoration

6 – Arise Worship Night

11-13 – Healing the Whole Person Conference

20 – Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate

21 – World Day of Prayer for Vocations

MAY

3 – Arise Family Adoration

9 – Blue Mass for those in Law Enforcement and First Responders

12 – Mother’s Day

12 – Ascension of the Lord

18 – Ordination to the Priesthood

19 – Pentecost Sunday

19 – Adult Confirmation

27 – Memorial Day

JUNE

1 – Archdiocesan Synod Ten-Year Anniversary Celebration

2 – Archdiocesan Synod Ten-Year Anniversary Mass

7 – World Day of Prayer for Priests

16 – Father’s Day

16 – Ballpark Day of Faith

17 – Saint Francis de Sales Seminary Pallium Scholarship Benefit

17-20 – Love Begins Here (Middle School 1)

19-26 – National Eucharistic Pilgrimage passes through Archdiocese of Milwaukee

22-29 – Religious Freedom Week

24-27 – Love Begins Here (Middle School 2)

JULY

4 – Independence Day

8-11 – Love Begins Here (Middle School 3)

13 – Arise Family Day

13 – Arise Worship Night

14-19 – Love Begins Here (High School)

17-21 – National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis

30 – Stewardship Workshop

AUGUST

15 – Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

22-24 – Catechetical Conference

SEPTEMBER

1 – World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

2 – Labor Day

6 – Arise Family Adoration

7 – Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate

8 – World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

9 – Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities

16 – Catechetical Sunday

21 – Hispanic Catholic Conference

24 – Vatican II Awards

30 – Priesthood Sunday

30 – World Day of Migrants and Refugees

OCTOBER

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Respect Life Month

4 – Saint Francis de Sales Seminary Dinner

4 – Arise Family Adoration

5 – Jubilee Mass for Married Couples

6 – Respect Life Sunday

8 – Red Mass – St. Thomas More Society

12 – Hispanic Youth Encuentro

17 – White Mass for those who work in Healthcare

19 – Catholic Schools Walk

20 – World Mission Sunday

NOVEMBER

Black Catholic History Month

1 – All Saints’ Day

1 – Arise Family Adoration

2 – All Souls’ Day

3-9 – Vocation Awareness Week

9 – Inheritance Conference

16 – Women of Christ

17 – World Day of the Poor

24 – Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

28 – Thanksgiving Day

DECEMBER

1 – First Sunday of Advent

6 – Arise Family Adoration

8 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception

12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe

14 – Gema de Dios Women’s Conference

15-23 – Simbang Gabi

24 – Christmas Eve

25 – Christmas Day

31 – New Year’s Eve

Note: This is a sampling of events in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for 2024. Dates are subject to change and events could be canceled.

The Downtown Kenosha Catholic parishes hosted their first Breakfast with Santa event Saturday, Dec. 16. (Photo by Karen Mahoney)

Holding a tiny red gift he received from Santa after spilling his secrets, 4-year-old Bradley Pecore took a break from his pancakes and sausage to explain his plan to see Santa on Christmas Eve.

“I am going to stay awake in my bed and when he gets near me, I am going to get up and see what he leaves under our tree,” he said.

As for his heart’s desires this year?

“I want boy stuff,” he said, “and a dinosaur with babies.”

More than 150 children and their families enjoyed the first annual Downtown Kenosha Catholic Breakfast with Santa, held at St. Elizabeth Parish on Saturday, Dec. 16.

The idea to host the breakfast event was the brainchild of Jesse Gomez, the new director of public events who is also in charge of parishioner outreach and engagement.

“We have had a lot of interest in this event. We repainted the cafeteria for this breakfast,” he said. “Since this is my first year, I wanted to create an event that would tie the two parishes — St. James the Apostle and St. Elizabeth — together. I also want to reach out more in the downtown area, so this is a fun first step. We have had great feedback so far and significant ticket sales.”

Gomez and 17 volunteers from DTKC served pancakes, sausage, juice, coffee, milk and soda to hungry guests. Children visited with Santa and a professional photographer was on hand for paying customers to snap photos of the excited children and their families. The families received digital and printed photos of their children with Santa.

A craft room with family-friendly arts and crafts provided fun activities, such as making paper gingerbread houses, games and drawing snowmen while blindfolded.

The highlight of the breakfast was, of course, a certain jolly old soul in a red suit, explained Gomez.

“Every year, a local celebrity dons his merry apparel as Santa for our elementary religious education students,” Gomez said. “We are excited we could expand this Christmas experience to the greater downtown community.”

Gomez explained they weren’t sure how well the event would do, but his concerns quickly faded as parents quickly snapped up the tickets.

“This was a great opportunity to open our doors to the public so guests can come and enjoy delicious food and good company with family and friends,” he said.

Katie Kasper, the board President of FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee, spoke to Milwaukee-area Catholic administrators and educators about her group’s mission in November. (Photo by Kristen Kubisiak)

A Catholic education is intended for everyone, but a number of families with children who have disabilities or special needs struggle to find a place in their local parish schools. Over the years, a variety of reasons have been offered to explain this unresolved issue, chiefly that resources are lacking to support diverse student learning needs, as is knowledge about where they might be found.

FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee would like to change that.

FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the inclusion of children with disabilities in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by uniting pastors, principals, families and donors to offer a faith-based education for all Catholic students, starting with those of greatest disability-related need.

“Many schools have the desire, but they don’t have the know-how or the funding,” said Katie Kasper, board President of FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee. “The goal of FIRE is really to gather those things up in one place and make them accessible for school leadership, with the belief that every student deserves Catholic education, and every Catholic family should be able to send all of their kids to Catholic school — children with disabilities learning alongside their siblings and peers.”

Formed in 2022, FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee is an affiliate of the similarly named organization located in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri, which has granted Catholic partner schools more than $5 million in support of inclusion over its 25 years of existence.

Kasper, who has six children — including one who is disabled — noted the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has not been without inclusive programs. She pointed to St. Robert in Shorewood and Holy Family in Whitefish Bay as two schools that have established track records as inclusive education leaders, as well as Christ King and Divine Savior Holy Angels High School whose programs are growing.

“There’s no reason that a motivated school couldn’t be given the tools to do this kind of work and make it happen,” she said.

But first, schools have to learn that the tools are available. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee took a step to increase that awareness in November when Catholic school administrators and educators from across the diocese and beyond gathered to learn about ways to fund special education and considerations for programing.

At the meeting, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Ed Foy said that though Catholic schools have a rich history of being champions of marginalized people, children with special needs are one group that is underserved in society, in education and in Catholic schools.

“We are blessed with resources that other Catholic school leaders in other parts of the country wish they had, but too often we are not always taking advantage of those resources at hand,” Foy said. “If we can just raise that knowledge base, that’s a wonderful goal for us.”

Kasper, who was one of several presenters at the meeting, spoke about FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee and the resources her organization offers, including funding and consultative support to assist parishes and schools in providing inclusive education. Consulting services are free and available to all schools within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

“We just opened the grant application period for our next school year,” Kasper said. Annual grants, which are funded entirely by private donors and stay in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, focus on one-to-one classroom support and other critical supplementary aids and services.

In its inaugural year, FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee has already provided support to special education programs in five schools. One of those schools is Christ King in Wauwatosa, led by Principal Grace Urbanski.

“Because of the FIRE Foundation, we have been able to welcome a student with Down syndrome into our K4 class,” Urbanski said. “This student has three older siblings in our school, so we are delighted the whole family can come to school together each day.”

Keeping families together is an important goal for FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee, and Christ King.

“We celebrate the family as the most fundamental building block of society; as much as possible, therefore, we want to keep siblings together in our Catholic school,” Urbanski said. “But it’s important not to romanticize the complexities of special needs — it is extremely expensive to prepare a safe and appropriate Catholic education for traditionally underserved students. The FIRE Foundation blesses Catholic schools by relieving some of the financial burden.”

Although there are many ways to support Catholic education, FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee is the only organization that focuses specifically on the mission of providing a Catholic education to children with disabilities. Kasper is able to tap into a knowledgeable board of directors, which includes longtime St. Robert School Principal Lauren Beckman, who established a successful integrated special needs program at the school that is still thriving today.

The immediate goals for FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee as it begins year two of operation are fairly simple and straightforward: increasing awareness and donations.

“If somebody approaches their pastor and says, ‘I really want my child enrolled in the school this year,’ I want that pastor or that family to know about FIRE Foundation,” Kasper said. “We’re an all-volunteer organization. We run very efficiently. Our goal is to put donations to work directly in the classrooms for the kids that we serve.”

For more information about FIRE Foundation of Milwaukee, visit firemke.org or email Katie Kasper at katiekasper@firemke.org.