Norwalk Catholic holds Endowment luncheon

NORWALK — "Our faith is the differential factor of our school. We are a mission-driven organization." Emily Riley, president of the Norwalk Catholic governing board, said it is a team effort for everybody involved in Catholic education. Riley spoke Wednesday at the Norwalk Catholic Endowment luncheon at the Early Childhood Center campus. Norwalk Catholic School President Martin Linder talked about the support the school receives each year from the FCEDO endowment board. He said all of the staff salaries went up 7 percent, thanks to a $250,000 contribution from the fund. Also, thanks to a special donation, students of teachers will now attend Norwalk Catholic at no charge. Building work at the Early Childhood Center went to technology upgrades ($50,000) and a complete tear-down and rebuild of the restrooms ($80,000). "The technology upgrades filled a gap," Linder said. "This gets up where we need to be. That is over $400,000 of support just from the FCEDO endowment in the last year. "This was one of the most generous fiscal years ... because of what FCEDO is able to do." On deck, Linder said, is improvements to the auditorium, beginning with a new sound system this summer. Linder talked about the new elementary principal beginning next year, 2013 St. Paul grad Riley Conway. "She is a young woman of deep faith and energy," Linder said. Emily Riley agreed. "The No. 1 investment we can make in our school is with our people," She said. "Time, talent, treasure and expertise." Linder pointed out this is the 100th year St. Paul has been a four-year high school. "We want to keep it going another 100 years ... we are going to keep it going." The following were honored at the event: 2023 New Charter Members • PNC Bank • Ed and Jeanie Barman • Norma Jean Giles Beaulieu • Steven Frazee • Raymond Fries • Greg and Jennifer Henderson • St. Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church 2023 Mustardseed Society Members • Alma Hakes • Brad and Jeanne Gascoigne • Patricia Mellen 2023 Named Endowed Scholarships • Marilyn Bick Family • Stephanie Frazee