Bishop Edward U. Kmiec, bishop of Buffalo, has announced the receipt of an unrestricted $5,000,000 bequest from the Francelia L. Bennett estate. It is the largest single gift in diocesan history.
“I am honored to accept such a generous gift on behalf of the diocese,” Bishop Kmiec said. “I believe the best way to utilize these funds would be to further invest in Catholic education. This will help us in our mission to strengthen Catholic education here in the Diocese of Buffalo. Increasingly, middle income families are finding it more difficult to afford to send their children to Catholic schools. I want all students to be able to have the benefit of a Catholic education and this will help us in that endeavor.”
Bishop Kmiec said that the bequest will be used to establish an endowment where approximately 5 percent of the money, or $250,000 would be used for tuition assistance for Catholic elementary schools. The funds would be disbursed through CTAP, the Catholic Elementary School Tuition Aid Program.
David J. Kersten, executive director of the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, said that about 500 students will be helped each year. “That is a tremendous legacy to leave behind,” he said. “Legacy gifts offer the opportunity to make a gift that will have significant and long-lasting impact on the mission and ministries of our church.”
The connection between Francelia L. Bennett and the Diocese of Buffalo can be traced back to the mid-1900s. The never-married Francelia was the only child of Leslie and Zeta Bennett. Francelia lived with her parents on Parkside Avenue in North Buffalo. Mother and daughter continued to live there following Leslie’s death in 1944 and were devout members of St. Mark Catholic Church. They also were personal friends of Kevin and Beatrice Kennedy. Kevin Kennedy was an attorney for the diocese and Francelia’s affection and remembrance of the diocese developed as a result of that relationship and her connection with the law office.
The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo raises funds, manages assets and makes grants to serve the educational, pastoral and human service ministries of the Diocese of Buffalo.
