LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Lexington Catholic High School announced a new scholarship fund to honor a prominent member of the city’s faith community Monday.
Father Norman Fischer was a spiritual leader, both at the school and at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church.
Rob Rumpke serves as the school’s president, leading students, staff and more through some difficult days following his untimely death.
“Somebody that’s around for 19-20 years like Father Norm was – it is a healing process every day,” said Rumpke.
More than four months have passed since the Lexington Catholic community had to say an emotional goodbye to their spiritual leader. But Rumpke says he and his students continue to be reminded daily of Father Norman’s presence here.
“These core values that are up on our walls right now…I think they are blessed by a saint,” Rumpke said.
Core values which Rumpke and Father Norman wrote together before his passing, locks of love which bear the father’s name hang from the railings and now a scholarship fund is named in his honor.
“All the kids that are blessed to be given funds will be called Fischer Scholars,” said Rumpke.
The fund is part of the ‘I Give Catholic’ fundraising campaign, which started Monday and runs until Tuesday, December 3.
In this first year, Rumpke says they hope the fund can financially support 30 students. It’s particularly aimed at helping underserved communities, something Rumpke says Father Norman took pride in as the first Catholic Diocese of Lexington priest of both African American and Filipino heritages.
“We can recognize that our faith tells us we are all one,” said Maria Fischer-Boothe, who is Norman’s sister.
On this first day, Rumpke’s inbox already reads, “I just gave another 5k to the Father Norman Fund.”
He hopes that sort of generosity can keep coming to help lift up these students in the way Father Norman did for so many years.
“A lot of people have taken his message and his spirit and are spreading that through themselves,” said Emma Thiel, a Lexington Catholic senior.
“One person was walking through the halls preaching Christianity – now, we’ve got hundreds of people doing that,” Rumpke said.
To learn more about the newly established fund, click here. If you’re interested in supporting Lexington Catholic’s efforts in the ‘I Give Catholic’ campaign, click here.
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