March 4, 2011
Paying it forward — The Kyle Weis Memorial Endowment
Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger congratulates Mater Dei graduate Kyle Weis as he hands him his diploma in 2010. Weis was killed two weeks later and a scholarship fund has been set up in his honor. (Message photo courtesy Mater Dei High School) Click for a larger version.
By LINDA COX (Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana)
Kyle Weis was a member of Mater Dei’s 2010 graduating class, a member of the football team and a friend to everyone. As a defensive and offensive lineman, Kyle knew a lot about the importance of being a team player and working for a common goal. As a student at Mater Dei, Kyle and his family knew that receiving a Catholic education was made possible by generations before them.
Kyle had a promising future, but on Saturday, June 5, 2010, only two weeks after his graduation, he was killed in an automobile accident. Deacon John McMullen, theology instructor at Mater Dei High School, has said “Our time here is limited, but what we do with our time has eternal significance.” Kyle and his family are making sure that his passing will make a significant difference in many lives in the future.
“Kyle loved playing football and he was such an important part of the 2009 Mater Dei Foot-ball Team. His happy personality, determination, and spirit were infectious with players and coaches alike. All who knew Kyle continue to miss him. As members of that squad, and the Mater Dei community, we all felt the support and importance of sharing the true meaning of being part of a team. A piece of Kyle, particularly his constant smile, remains with us all,” reflects Coach Mike Goebel.
The community came together to make memorial gifts and hold fundraisers to honor Kyle. Through their grief, the family wanted to make sure that Kyle’s legacy would be remembered. They created the Kyle Weis Memorial Football Scholarship to be awarded to teammates of Kyle through 2012. For the next two years, a student will carry the torch for Kyle as they attend college. The family also made a gift to the Mater Dei Weight Room to purchase additional equipment in Kyle’s memory and many future football players will share in this gift.
The family wanted to create a permanent legacy in Kyle’s memory, one that would benefit other students forever. The family worked with Sarah Wagner at Mater Dei to establish the Kyle Weis Memorial Endow-ment for Education. Kyle had benefitted from someone’s generosity to assist him in attending Mater Dei High School. This endowment will now pay it forward, allowing other families to receive tuition assistance forever. Each year, a distribution from this gift will go to help other Mater Dei families and will honor his memory throughout the years. This gift will benefit countless families who may have never had the opportunity to know Kyle personally but they can experience the Catholic school and Catholic community that is Kyle’s Mater Dei.
Executive director of Mater Dei, Timothy Dickel, adds, “Kyle’s family chose to honor his memory in a very fitting way. His love for Mater Dei ran deep. The Kyle Weis Memorial Endow-ment for Education will provide tuition assistance so that many generations of students can be given the same educational opportunity he received. We are forever grateful for this ongoing gift.” Although Kyle’s life was tragically cut short too soon, he and his family are assuring that his love of life and Catholic high school experience will significantly help the lives of others.
For information on how you can contribute to the Kyle Weiss Memorial Endowment for Education, please contact Timothy Dickel or Sarah Wagner at Mater Dei High School, 812-421-5727, email tdickel@evvmaterdei.org or swagner@evvmaterdei.org. If you are interested in establishing an endowment for a specific area or in honor or memory of someone, contact the Catholic Foundation at 812-424-5536 or by email at foundation@evdio.org.