Watch

The Gift of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Wichita

Creator:
Published:
May 21, 2024
September 16, 2019
Wichita-Diocese|Wichita-Diocese-Square

Kori Heiman is an elementary school principal in the Diocese of Wichita — where they haven't charged tuition since 1985.

"'Catholic' means open and accepting of all and welcoming all — and that's truly what this diocese has been able to do," she shares.

Video Transcript

Wichita, Kansas: In 1985, this Catholic diocese stopped charging tuition.

Teacher 1: What should you be looking at?

Student 1: The crucifix.

Teacher 1: Bless us...

Class: ...Oh Lord, for these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty.

Kristi Uhlschmidt: We you live in the Diocese of Wichita and we have six kiddos that attend the Catholic schools. Okay, do that again. Andrew's a social worker and I work part time for the diocese, so it's not like we would be sending our kids to Catholic schools if we had to pay tuition.

Kori Heiman is a school principal.

(Kori Heiman speaking with students in the background.)

Kori: I am from Wichita Diocese, but since I went to public school, I really wasn't familiar with the whole idea of, you tithe to your Church, you do stewardship in your Church — and then there were these Catholic schools. We never say Catholic education is free — it's not. You're putting into what God asks you to from the Bible. So as long as you make that commitment, then education is provided for you.

Parishioners are asked to give back with generosity. It’s enough to support all 38 schools.

Class: No.

Teacher 2 reading a book: No. That's when those horses and those cows need the grass...

Kori: They always say, “You're from that diocese.” And so we just work really hard here within the diocese to keep building that model.

Student 2: Thank you.

Teacher 1: You're welcome.

Student 3: Thank you.

Teacher 1: You're welcome.

Kori: We have children here who have special needs. We have low income families. Anyone that wants to get a Catholic education, as long as they are living the stewardship way of life, can receive a Catholic education. And that's just one thing that's just a blessing.

(Children singing in church.)

That actually just gave me goosebumps. Because you go back to when you were teaching, and you know, we teach the marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic, apostolic — right. And Catholic means open and accepting of all and welcoming all. And that's truly what this diocese has been able to do.

Kristi: Just to know that, you know, sharing the gifts that God gave you is enough for your babies to go to a solid Catholic school and really learn the faith.

Andrew Uhlschmidt: Yeah, it's pretty incredible.

Kristi: Yeah.

Kori: I thought that was pretty cute, but I couldn't see out the window so I was like, okay...

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
May 21, 2024
September 16, 2019
On a related note...
Be Gentle, For We Are All Grieving

Be Gentle, For We Are All Grieving

Stephanie DePrez

This Story Will Change the Way You Remember 9/11

This Story Will Change the Way You Remember 9/11

Grotto Shares

The Benefits of Raising Children with a Digital Village

The Benefits of Raising Children with a Digital Village

Laura MacLean Reynolds

What It Means to Live Without Fear

What It Means to Live Without Fear

Josh Noem

How Canceling My Credit Cards Changed the Way I See Credit

How Canceling My Credit Cards Changed the Way I See Credit

Renée Roden

Baking Cakes for Kids with Life-Threatening Illnesses

Baking Cakes for Kids with Life-Threatening Illnesses

Grotto

St. Lucy Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Lucy Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto, Tanya Macias

Grotto Talks with Mark Wahlberg about His Faith

Grotto Talks with Mark Wahlberg about His Faith

Grotto

A Colorful New Take on Sacred Art

A Colorful New Take on Sacred Art

Grotto

How to Avoid Burnout as a Young Professional

How to Avoid Burnout as a Young Professional

Grace Poppe

Building Community with House Concerts

Building Community with House Concerts

Grotto

The Best Life Advice Your Friends Can Give You

The Best Life Advice Your Friends Can Give You

Claire Condon

Catholic Worker House Builds Community and Changes Lives

Catholic Worker House Builds Community and Changes Lives

Grotto

Life Lessons From the Band Switchfoot

Life Lessons From the Band Switchfoot

Isaac Huss

How I Found Spiritual Peace in My Running Routine

How I Found Spiritual Peace in My Running Routine

Mary Grace Mangano

I’m a Member of the Knights of Columbus and I’m Not Old

I’m a Member of the Knights of Columbus and I’m Not Old

Andrew Weiss

Urban Agriculture Program Provides Fresh, Affordable Produce

Urban Agriculture Program Provides Fresh, Affordable Produce

Grotto

The Word of the Year isn’t a Word — It’s an Emoji

The Word of the Year isn’t a Word — It’s an Emoji

Mike Jordan Laskey

"Is There Food at the Library?"

"Is There Food at the Library?"

Grotto, Kevin DeCloedt

Student-Athletes Befriend Kids with Cancer | Little Ways: Outreach

Student-Athletes Befriend Kids with Cancer | Little Ways: Outreach

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.