Believing in the Value of Catholic Education

Cathedral High School is fast approaching its 100-year anniversary. The school has been located in the heart of Indianapolis since 1918 and in the hearts of its graduates ever since. For Mike and Rosie Houk, this special school has been part of their lives for more than 50 years. Mike is a graduate of the class of 1962; Rosie graduated from one of Cathedral's "sister" all-girls academies, St. Agnes, in 1963. In addition, Rosie ran the front desk at Cathedral for 15 years. Now, they continue to share their love of Cathedral through support of a special tuition assistance program called Shamrock Scholars.

When they retired, the Houks set up a family foundation to give to causes they believe strongly in. One of those causes is Cathedral High School. The Houks choose to support Cathedral by providing tuition for one student for all four years of school. The Shamrock Scholar program matches a student with a donor and provides the opportunity for donors to create a relationship that oftentimes extends far beyond high school.

"We went here. Our kids went here," says Mike. "It is just a continuing of the circle. We believe in Cathedral and in Catholic education. Now, we can help someone else have those same experiences and feelings."

"We have watched the cost of Catholic education increase over the years," Rosie says. "We thought about Catholic education and how the same opportunities may not be available for some very deserving students. If our foundation was not there, these kids would not be exposed to the benefits of a Cathedral education.

"It is an investment in our future and in their future—and in the future of the Indianapolis community in general," Mike says. "This is something that we have been blessed by God to be able to do."

For more information on setting up a family foundation like the Houks or supporting the Shamrock Scholars program at Cathedral, contact Abbe Ernstes at (317) 968-7348 or aernstes@gocathedral.com.