Inspirations

It’s no secret that the 2020-2021 school year wasn’t a normal one. We all learned to “smile with our eyes,” operate online meeting software and adapt when plans inevitably changed at the last minute. Through the adversity, though, we found so much inspiration within this community. With this report, we wish to thank you for inspiring us – with your creativity, generosity, ingenuity and willingness to pivot. Your commitment to CJA is a blessing!

LETTER FROM THE President

Dear Cor Jesu Community,

This time last year, I recall thinking ahead to now, wondering how we would remember the 2020-2021 school year. We were in the midst of a half-virtual school year, talking through masks and trying to project our voices through plexiglass partitions.

Little did I know that one year later, I would describe 2020-2021 as nothing less than inspirational. Despite constantly evolving circumstances, restrictions and quarantines, parents and teachers rallied to support the young women of Cor Jesu through the tumult. Our staff exercised every creative muscle they could to create meaningful virtual events. And you, our generous community, gave in ways that have left us marveling, still. With families facing economic uncertainty, we shifted all fundraising to focus on Annual Fund, our primary source of financial aid. With the help of Giving Tuesday and our Auction Fund-a-Need, we raised approximately $700,000 in unrestricted donations for the year. Meanwhile, our endowment topped $11 million, further ensuring the stability of this wonderful institution.

And then there was the development of the program I’m most grateful to introduce: the Blessed Clelia Scholarship Program. The Blessed

Clelia Scholarship Program is designed to be a true manifestation of our mission and charism by making a Cor Jesu education available to any academically-qualified young woman, regardless of her ability to pay. Buoyed by the recurring commitment of seven donors, we welcomed five members to the Class of 2025 whose tuition, fees and experiences will be covered under the umbrella of this scholarship. I invite you to learn more on page 8.

Throughout the last year, I have found myself frequently turning to one of my favorite quotes by Blessed Clelia Merloni, foundress of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: “God visits us every day with so many lights, with so many inspirations of his grace.”

Never have those words rung more true than in the last year. Thank you for sharing your light – your inspiration – with Cor Jesu.

Sincerely in Christ,

Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D. Cor Jesu Academy President

LETTER FROM THE Chair

Dear Friends,

The saying goes, “When God closes a door, he also opens a window.” This past year, we have all faced closed doors –many of them. But I cannot help but recognize the many, many windows that have opened at Cor Jesu Academy, thanks to the generosity of our community. When students could only be on campus every other day, Cor Jesu’s robust technology program kept them connected to their education and to their community. When lunchtime required extra precaution with plexiglass dividers – Cor Jesu made it happen. When families financially impacted by the pandemic needed more assistance than usual to keep their daughters at Cor Jesu, generous donations to the Annual Fund, combined with the draw on the growing endowment, made it possible to meet those needs. And when our students, faculty and staff needed a boost during a trying school year, your prayers lifted them up. Windows upon windows opened.

Our students may not see it now, but in time, they will understand the difference the larger Cor Jesu community made this past year. As I look through these windows and into the future of Cor Jesu Academy, I can see that it is extremely bright.

It is my honor to announce that during the 2020-2021 fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2021, you gifted or pledged $2.2 million to Cor Jesu. With these gifts, you are supporting capital projects, school programs, the Endowment Fund, operations and financial assistance. This total, combined with the interest earned from the Endowment Fund, has enabled Cor Jesu to award $2.16 million in financial assistance to 271 well-deserving students during this school year.

On behalf of the Advisory Board, thank you for your continued support of Cor Jesu Academy. We can never know how or when a door will close, but we are grateful to know that the support of our community will always be there to open windows for the young women of our school. We are inspired by your kindness, and vow to continue educating our students to Share the Love of the Heart of Christ with the world, just as you continue to share Christ’s love with Cor Jesu, year after year. Thank you, and God bless you.

Sincerely,

Tina Burniski Klocke ‘78 Chair, Cor Jesu Academy Advisory Board