CRJ SERVING THE COMMUNITY

On a recent bright, sunny Friday, 462 students rolled up their sleeves and set to work as part of the year's first all-school formation day. The combined 2,800 hours of service that day centered on the Grad at Grad value of Committed to Justice. In partnership with 11 different service partners across the greater Milwaukee area, students mainly conducted projects that positively impacted neighborhood green spaces and demonstrated care for the earth which is an essential part of upholding human dignity and justice. According to the late Pope Francis, the Earth is our "common home," a shared resource that belongs to all humanity. Protecting it is a duty we all have to one another, to the present generation, and to future generations. 

Freshmen served at Urban Ecology Center, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, and the Domes to care for the neighborhood by cleaning up trash. Sophomores traveled to other parts of Milwaukee, seeing justice at work in our broader community with partners like Hawthorn Glenn Outdoor Education Center, Urban Ecology Center, and Kinship Community Food Center. Similarly, Juniors engaged in a full day of service, within and outside the city of Milwaukee, learning what it looks like to be stewards of the environment, working with organizations like Northwestside Community Development Center, Victory Gardens, the Catholic Ecology Center, and Riversedge. “It was fun to get outside and do important service to take care of our community,” shared junior Kameron.

Meanwhile, seniors remained at the school, leaving a legacy of beautification within their own community by working with La Familia de Arte and with Artists Working in Education (AWE) to create a chalk mural outside. In reflecting on their experience with AWE, senior Monica said, "I appreciated being able to express our feelings and creativity through a collaborative mural." CRJ students will also be collaborating with La Familia de Arte on a mural for the Unity Bridge, and we look forward to sharing more about that project later in the year.

By engaging in service projects with community partners across Milwaukee who dedicate their lives to serving our communities, students are able to reflect on what it looks like to be men and women for and with others. In fact, 75% of students shared that they better understand what it means to be Committed to Justice because of their service activities. Formation day reinforced that living out this value means caring for our world and walking with others.

I have to admit that I did not expect the Milwaukee Brewers to set a regular season franchise record for the number of team wins this season. I had the opportunity to attend their final game of the season and see record win number 97 with my own eyes! As I thought about this amazing accomplishment, one word came to mind. That word was legacy. The team can celebrate this accomplishment now into the future, until someday when the record is broken again. Although the season didn’t turn out the way we all wanted it to, these players have left a legacy on a baseball franchise and community that may outlive them and that many feel fortunate to have witnessed.

Of course, we don’t have to be professional athletes or even wealthy or famous to leave a legacy. We just have to think about how we can leave this world better than it was before as a result of our actions and priorities. As a Catholic and Jesuit school leader, I often think about those fearless, mission-driven individuals who began the first Catholic schools. Typically, Catholic priests or nuns led and staffed the effort and, if they were paid, were paid very little. All Catholic schools today stand on the legacy and human endowment that those initial religious leaders contributed with their life’s work. 

Today, while we have many fewer priests and nuns in Catholic schools, there are many people who choose the legacy of Catholic education as their legacy. Whether they work in Catholic schools or support Catholic schools in other ways, their commitment is often undergirded by someone - a teacher, coach, or mentor - who had a profound influence on their lives. They are so grateful for this person's impact that it becomes their desire to similarly impact others. Leaving a legacy inspires others to do the same! While some may generously work in a school or volunteer their time, there are others who see lasting legacy through their philanthropy. 

Over the last few years, Cristo Rey Jesuit was fortunate to be designated as the recipient of a very generous planned financial gift from the estate of James Fitzpatrick. During his life, Jim attended Catholic schools from Kindergarten through college. He worked his way through school. Jim was so grateful for the values, the teachers, and educational experience he received that he wanted to make sure this was available to others, especially those who might not be able to afford it otherwise. The legacy Jim left through his planned financial gift to Cristo Rey Jesuit lives on at our school through our young people and the programs James’ estate helped to fund, including providing meaningful work experience for eight students at nonprofit partners, community service programming, as well as student clubs and athletics.

While I appreciate the thrill of a good playoff run, I stand more in awe of those whose personal legacy leaves a lasting impact on others, not out of a desire to be remembered, but rather out of the immense gratitude they feel for those who helped them through life and the desire to see others benefit similarly. Their impact and memory will be remembered long after wins and losses!

STUDENT LEADS EFFORT TO START

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY AT CRJ

(Left to right) Principal Patrick Bader, teacher Linda Dreger, Cesar, '26, President Andy Stith

and teacher Kyle Potter at the Inaugural National Honor Society ceremony

National Honor Society (NHS) is an academic honor society for high school students, founded in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, that recognizes students for their excellence in Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. Students who meet the national requirements for GPA and are chosen by their local chapter based on the four pillars are invited to engage in community service and develop their leadership skills. Senior Cesar wondered why Cristo Rey Jesuit didn’t have a chapter and set out to change that. “I’d heard many good things about National Honor Society from my cousins and friends at other schools, and I became especially interested in starting a chapter here since it combines both service and academics, which are two important values our school holds,” said Cesar.

Cesar, a member of the Future Leaders Club, approached Linda Dreger with the idea of starting a National Honor Society chapter at CRJ. Dreger said, “Cesar came to me prepared with research and a proposal on why we should do this, and I agreed to help and serve as their advisor without hesitation. Cesar added, “Without Mrs. Dreger’s help and guidance, I don't think we would have been able to start a chapter.”

The response from students was enthusiastic with 40 students applying! Dreger said, “There was definitely a buzz about receiving the invitation to apply for membership. In the end, 26 juniors and seniors were accepted into the founding chapter. The ceremony was very special, and we had over 70 family members in attendance! Everyone was so excited, and I was so proud that our students even took on roles in the bilingual ceremony and helped make it a really memorable event.” 

Students are already at work collaborating with Student Council for an upcoming service project, and planning to coordinate with Advancement and Campus Ministry to support the student volunteer portion of the annual Advent service project. “I am excited to see how this chapter forms and develops leadership in the student body and the impact we can make in our community through service,” said Cesar. Congratulations to Cesar for his leadership and to all 26 Trailblazers who are the first NHS members inducted in the school's history.

VOTE NOW FOR YOUR FAVORITE MILWAUKEE STARS!

Milwaukee Stars Merengue

Saturday, November 15, 2025 | Baird Center - Rooftop Ballroom

Downtown Milwaukee

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Milwaukee celebrities take the stage with a professional dance partner to entertain and raise funds to benefit Cristo Rey Jesuit High School’s rigorous academics, innovative Corporate Work Study Program and faith formation.

IS PLANNED GIVING RIGHT FOR YOU?

By naming Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee as a partial or full beneficiary of your retirement, financial account, or estate, you will be leaving a lasting legacy that impacts CRJ’s mission and the future of our students.

A bequest is a simple and familiar way to remember Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in your estate plan. A bequest can take one of three forms:



• A specific bequest provides for a designated sum or specific asset – for example, real estate, securities, or other property – from your estate
• A percentage designates a fixed share of your estate
• A residual bequest conveys the balance of your estate after taxes, expenses, debts and other specific bequests have been paid

Name Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee as a percentage beneficiary of your retirement plan assets and your estate will receive the appropriate estate tax deduction. We can also be named as a beneficiary of a charitable remainder trust or charitable lead trust, but we are not in a position to serve as a trustee of a charitable trust. In addition, donors may name Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee as beneficiary of all or a percentage of a fully paid life insurance policy that is no longer needed.

If you would like to discuss making a beneficiary designation gift to Cristo Rey Jesuit, please contact Shannon Watry at swatry@cristoreymilwaukee.org or 773-975-6911.

Is your business interested in partnering with our work study program?

We would like to speak with you about how your business or organization can partner with our Corporate Work Study Program! Contact Everette Fernandes at 414.436.4600 Ext. 3141 or efernandes@cristoreymilwaukee.org.

Make a difference in the lives of CRJ students!

The generous support of Cristo Rey Jesuit donors like you makes it possible for us to offer a Catholic, college-prep education combined with unique professional work experience to young women and men of all faiths and limited financial means. Consider a gift today or email Shannon Watry to discuss a planned gift for tomorrow.