The Stewardship for Saints and Scholars campaign’s primary purpose is to support and further enhance Catholic education throughout our region and beyond. The campaign’s specific goals are to make Catholic education more:

• On Mission: Attract, form, train, and retain excellent and faithful teachers and administrators.
• Affordable: Grow tuition assistance for current and new families.
• Accessible: Assist students with special needs. Enhance services at our regional high schools.

In addition, a portion of the funds raised by each parish will go toward that parish’s Local Initiatives, which are determined by that parish’s needs and leaders. 

Father Mathias Thelen, pastor of St. Patrick’s in Brighton, knew that picking his parish chairs was critical. He found the right team in Michael DeMeyere, Nicole Kuklewski, Nancy Coffey, and Shane Gadbaw, parishioners who share a love for their faith, enthusiasm for Catholic education, and a determination to make a difference.

The campaign’s focus on Catholic education was appealing to all of the parish chairs. 

Nancy, a longtime parishioner and former parish staff member, said her family has “witnessed firsthand the impact of Catholic faith-based education. My prayer is that any family who desires this opportunity will have the support and resources to make it possible.”

Michael, who had served in several roles at St. Pat’s over the past three decades, said he didn’t hesitate when Father Mathias asked him to be a parish chair. “For me, Father really didn’t have to say anything else once he told me what the purpose of Saints and Scholars was.”

The parish chairs threw themselves into the campaign, assembling a network of volunteers who would help reach every corner of the parish. The strategy was simple but effective: each chair would recruit a group of volunteers, who would then reach out personally to parishioners. 

The goal was about more than making calls and asking for money. It was about making connections and creating unity. 
“The enthusiasm I received from the people I reached out to was a godsend,” Michael said. “It gave me even more enthusiasm to keep going.” 

Week after week, he devoted time to mentoring his team and meeting with parishioners, always with an eye on the larger mission: supporting Catholic schools and strengthening the faith of future generations.

Nicole’s passion for the campaign came from a deep sense of gratitude for her own Catholic education. Her parents scrimped and saved to send her to Catholic schools. She always knew she would send her kids to Catholic schools — she even mentioned it when she and her husband first met. 

Nicole approached Father Mathias a few months back, asking how she could do more for her parish and her community. When he asked what she was passionate about, her quick response of “Catholic education” made her a great fit for this campaign. Nicole brought her organizational skills and personal warmth to the role of parish chair, starting each connection with a simple email that included a photo of her family and a heartfelt message about why she believed in the campaign. 

But it wasn’t always easy. Nicole balanced her campaign responsibilities with a demanding job and family life, often finding herself stretched thin. Still, she pressed on, buoyed by a deep sense of purpose. 

“God was there every step of the way,” she said. “That’s without a doubt.”

Like Nicole, Shane Gadbaw approached Father Mathias and asked for a meaningful challenge. Stepping up as a parish chair was a new kind of service for Shane, whose background is in investment management and hedge funds. 

“I found this campaign to be far more rewarding than any commercial fundraising campaign from my past,” he wrote in an email. “Strengthening our Catholic schools for the next generation was an easy cause to support, so I was inspired and motivated throughout the campaign.”

Their combined efforts bore fruit. St. Patrick’s surpassed its $2.96 million parish goal, raising $3.33 million — a testament to the dedication of the chairs, volunteers and parishioners.

For Nancy, the impact of the campaign went beyond the numbers. “It inspired parishioners to come together with a shared purpose to support Catholic education,” she wrote in an email. “Bishop Boyea’s leadership and vision made it clear how vital this effort is.”

At St. Patrick’s, conversations about Catholic education became moments of connection and renewal. Parishioners who had been strangers became collaborators in a shared mission, and Sundays were filled with energy as Father Mathias encouraged everyone to do their part.

“This campaign planted a beautiful seed in our parish,” Nicole said. “Now we get to watch it grow, touching the lives of children, families and educators.” 

Michael said the campaign reinforced the importance of community and faith. “This isn’t just about fundraising,” he said. “It’s about creating a future where our children can grow in faith and see God’s presence in their lives.”

The work wasn’t without its challenges, but the rewards were undeniable. Volunteers discovered a deeper connection to their faith and to one another. The campaign brought new life to St. Patrick Parish — a renewed sense of purpose and a vision for the future.

“If it wasn’t for the sacrifices of time and dedication offered by campaign chairs and volunteers, I don’t think we ever would have had a successful campaign like we did,” Father Mathias said.