28th Annual St. Francis School Foundation Dinner: A Night to Celebrate and Strengthen Our Future

As an evening of faith and fellowship, the 28th Annual Foundation Dinner marked the beginning of the St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School Foundation Endowment Fund—an investment in Catholic education that will last for generations.

Last Friday, October 3rd, our community gathered for the 28th Annual St. Francis School Foundation Dinner—a night filled with inspiration, generosity, and gratitude. This year’s event marked an important new chapter, as we officially transitioned from the St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School Foundation to the St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School Foundation Endowment Fund.

8th grade students continue the tradition of volunteering at this special event

A night filled with gratitude for not only our donors, but for all those dedicated to the mission of St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School

Thank you to our Emcees Michelle and Bryan Foss for not only managing the evening, but also for sharing their family’s story & how they arrived at St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School

This shift represents something powerful: an investment in not only today’s students, but in the generations yet to come. As Father Michael reminded us, “This is not just for today, not for tomorrow, not even for the next 10 years—this is for a lifetime. This will continue to build and feed our school in the long term.”

Guest speaker, Dale Alquist, also spoke about the importance of Catholic education in forming the whole person—mind, body, and soul—reminding us that Catholic schools “teach the whole truth, something that connects everything.” He also encouraged those in attendance to see their participation in this mission as evangelization itself: “You are evangelizing the entire community. People may see images of the Pope, but the Catholics they encounter are you and me.”

Thanks to the generosity of those who attended, over $109,000 was raised during the evening (excluding online gifts)—a tremendous show of support for our school’s mission and future sustainability.

We are deeply grateful to our emcees, Michelle and Bryan Foss, guest speaker Dale Alquist, Advancement Director Carla Coonan, the Dinner Committee, and the Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota (CCF) for their partnership in developing the St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School Endowment Fund.

“This is not just for today, not for tomorrow, not even for the next 10 years—this is for a lifetime. This will continue to build and feed our school in the long term.”

Together, we are building a foundation not only for today’s students, but for the generations who will continue to learn, grow, and live out their faith at St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School.