On Thursday, April 26, Changing Lives with Legacy, our philanthropic division, hosted over 80 guests for our first annual Women’s Afternoon Tea.

In the historic Aztec Room at the Arizona Biltmore, the gathering brought together women who share a deep commitment to Catholic education and the transformative power it holds for students across Arizona. Over tea, finger sandwiches, and decadent desserts, the guests had the pleasure of listening to the inspiring stories of two Catholic school scholarship recipients.

Stories that Moved a Room

Eloise Mar, a senior at St. Mary’s Catholic High School, shared how the scholarship changed her life. She spoke beautifully about how her faith has been shaped by her experience at school and after-school activities that furthered her faith journey. “I have no doubt in my mind that if it were not for my Catholic education, I would not be who I am today, and I would not have the relationship I have with God today,” she said. 

Eloise shared her experience at St. Mary’s and the Kairos retreat that made an impact on her faith. “Being in school where I can revel in my faith at any time, in any class, or with anybody, has shaped me immensely,” she shared. “I am blessed with unforgettable experiences, fantastic friendships, and exemplary teachers. Without the generosity of Catholic Education Arizona contributors, I would not have experienced God’s love in the beauty that is Catholic education.”

There was not a dry eye in the room when Dr. Miranda Maciel, Director of Development, also a Catholic school alumna, shared a beautiful testimony of the women who have shaped her life. Dr. Maciel spoke in depth about the generations of women before her who built the foundation for where she is now. “From an early age, I knew the women in my family were a force. As I have grown older, I have realized something even more important. Even when higher education was outside of their reach, they understood its power. They believed that education could open the doors for the next generation that had never been opened to them. Each generation invested in the next.” 

“Throughout my Catholic education, doors began to open that had never been possible for the generations before me,” shared Dr. Maciel. “I was given opportunities to lead, to serve, and to imagine a future that my grandmothers could only dream about.”

A Shared Goal: Changing Lives with Legacy

Each and every woman in the room understood the value of a Catholic education. The Women’s Afternoon Tea was more than a lovely afternoon; it was a fundraiser in support of our philanthropic division, Changing Lives with Legacy. This initiative exists to ensure that a Catholic education remains within reach for students like Eloise who need financial support to access it. This division accepts traditional donations such as:

  • Cash gifts
  • IRA Charitable Rollovers (IRA QCDs)
  • Grants from a Donor-Advised Fund
  • Gifts of Stock
  • Legacy gifts

The stories shared on April 26 are proof of what is possible when women come together with open hearts and generous spirits. Thank you to Alerus Bank for sponsoring this event. 

Since 1998, Catholic Education Arizona has provided over 161,000 tuition scholarships to underserved, disabled, and foster K-12 students in the Diocese of Phoenix. For more information on traditional donations and legacy gifts through Changing Lives with Legacy, visit myimpact.CatholicEducationArizona.org or call (602) 218-6542 and ask to speak with Miranda, Sarah, Joel, or Pamela.