Principal's Perspective: Building the Kingdom in Action

Last month, our 4th-grade class had a special visitor—Ben Bauer—who stopped by to personally thank Ms. Brenner and her students for their generous donation to his recovery fund. In November, Ben suffered a devastating accident that resulted in the loss of one hand and severe injuries to the other. He shared with the students that their donation will help cover the cost of his prosthetic, a gift that will make a meaningful impact on his journey to recovery.

This act of generosity was made possible through the Building the Kingdom program, an enrichment initiative created by Mrs. Chatt and implemented by our 3rd-5th grade teachers. Building the Kingdom goes beyond our standard religion curriculum, empowering students to research and select Catholic vetted charities—both local and international—to support. They earn "Kingdom Cash" by excelling on quizzes, worksheets, and projects, knowing that their hard work directly benefits a cause they believe in.

How is Building the Kingdom funded? Each year, donations from parishioners, family, friends, and parish groups like the Altar and Rosary Society and The Knights of Columbus replenish the program’s funds. If you would like to support Building the Kingdom at St. Francis, donations can be made through the school office.

There couldn’t be a more fitting name for this program. Through Building the Kingdom, our students are not only deepening their understanding of the Catholic faith but also putting it into action in a truly meaningful way.

Sincerely,
Mark Matzek
Principal, St. Francis School