KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Bishop Ward High School alumni and friends had a lot to celebrate at the Cyclone Gathering Sunday, Feb. 23 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Olathe, Kan., including the establishment and launch of the Father Ron Cornish Endowment.
A 1960 Bishop Ward graduate and athletic star, Fr. Ron declined the opportunity to play for the Yankees so that he could follow his vocation to the priesthood.
Fr. Ron served as a Catholic priest for almost 40 years, spending many of those last years caring for the 3,900 parishioner families at Prince of Peace and the residents of Villa St. Francis skilled nursing facility. Fr. Ron made many close friends and spent his remaining years close to this community. It was only fitting to coincide this event with the one-year anniversary of his passing.
The goal is to honor Fr. Ron by raising $100,000 towards the Bishop Ward permanent endowment.
The interest income from the permanent endowment supports the Student Scholarship Fund, which provides annual scholarship aid for student Cyclones and ensures a quality, Catholic, college-preparatory education is affordable for every student who desires it. Commitments currently total more than $48,295 in gifts and pledges.
Bishop Ward was the place where Fr. Ron first heard God’s call and formed lifelong friendships that sustained him over his life and ministry.
Given that, his brother priests, classmates, family and friends agreed an endowment in his name at Bishop Ward High School would be a meaningful way for Fr. Ron’s legacy to live on through other young Catholics in Wyandotte County. Fr. Ron was especially grateful for his Catholic education and would be pleased to make it affordable for the next generation.
“Bishop Ward was an integral part of Fr. Ron Cornish's formation and calling to the priesthood,” said Monsignor Michael Mullen, Class of 1954. “As a proud alumnus of the school, it is fitting for this permanent endowment to bear his name for future generations of students discerning their vocations in life. A strong endowment is a wise and necessary part of Bishop Ward's future.”
Those interested in supporting the Fr. Ron Cornish Endowment can visit www.wardhigh.org/CornishEndowment or call Mrs. Mary Hurla ’80 Spangler at 913-371-6901 for more information.
