For more than seven decades, the legacy of the Pottsville Catholic High School Class of 1955 has remained woven into the fabric of Catholic education in Schuylkill County. Now, that legacy is poised to inspire future generations in an even more powerful way. The Pottsville Catholic High School Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund has officially been transferred to the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania as a permanent endowment fund, ensuring…
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The numbers are impressive. But the real story is what they make possible. In April 2026, the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania announced a record $1,326,995 in distributions from endowed funds supporting Catholic parishes, schools, and ministries throughout the Diocese of Allentown. Since 2016, the Foundation has now distributed more than $9.2 million, transforming generosity into steady, reliable support where it’s needed most. This year’s milestone reflects more than growth….
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Back when David Lengel attended St. Joe’s Catholic School, and later Reading Central Catholic, the benefits of a Catholic education were the farthest thing from his young mind. But these days, the retired engineer has a much better appreciation for the values — namely, hard work, discipline, and respect for others — that his Catholic education instilled in him, and he wants to pay it back. “In time, what I’ve noticed…
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By any measure, it is a moment that can change a life. A parishioner bows his head in prayer. He thinks of a young man he has watched serve at the altar, or greet fellow parishioners with quiet kindness, or linger in church long after Mass ends. He writes down a name. It is an act of faith. And it is the heart of the Diocese of Allentown’s renewed Called…
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“Death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something.” — Pope Francis Losing a loved one is among life’s most painful experiences. And as family and friends try to navigate that loss, they often look for a meaningful way to honor the memory and legacy of their loved one. Many find comfort through a memorial gift to an endowment fund managed by the Catholic Foundation of Eastern…
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In a gesture of profound gratitude and enduring faith, parishioners of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Orefield, PA, have established the Monsignor Joseph P.T. Smith Vocations Fund, honoring a beloved shepherd whose priesthood has shaped generations. The fund marks a significant moment — the “second” retirement of Monsignor Smith — bringing to a close not simply years of service, but a lifetime poured out in devotion to God and…
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In a parish long known for generosity, St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Orefield is taking a thoughtful, faith-filled step to ensure that spirit endures for generations. Through the creation of a parish “Giving Book,” parish leadership has invited families to see their giving not simply as an annual obligation, but as a lasting investment in the mission of the Church and the vitality of its school. Developed collaboratively by…
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Palmerton’s Catholic community has a long and proud history and Sacred Heart Parish has been at the center of it all for more than 100 years. To ensure this vibrancy continues for generations to come, Sacred Heart established a parish fund with the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania. “Our parishioners have always been generous in their service and with their financial donations to the church,” said Reverend Michael Mullins, Pastor…
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Long before the April 15th filing deadline, February is when serious tax planning conversations begin. Individuals, families, and their advisors look beyond last year’s returns and start positioning their finances for maximum efficiency and impact. Increasingly, those discussions are turning to strategic charitable tools that not only advance personal tax goals but also strengthen the Catholic institutions that shape lives and communities. Among the most powerful — and often underused…
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As Catholic Schools Week 2026 unfolds across the nation, classrooms throughout the Diocese of Allentown are alive with celebration, prayer, and a renewed sense of mission. For 33 Catholic schools serving more than 9,000 students across Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties, the annual observance is more than a tradition — it is a public witness to the enduring power of faith-based education. “Catholic schools have stood the test…
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