The legacy of the Sparr family is woven deeply into the fabric of St. Stephen Parish and School in Kingsville, where generations have been baptized, married, and educated. Now, through the newly established Sparr Family Endowment for Catholic Education Fund, this legacy will continue to make a difference in the lives of students at St. Stephen School for years to come.
Karen Arnold (formerly Sparr), baptized at St. Stephen, had always felt connected to the school and parish, even after relocating from the area. Both her parents attended the elementary school, and Karen’s mother was a member of one of the last graduating classes of St. Stephen High School.
Karen and her husband, Lee, further strengthened this family history to Catholic education when they began raising their own children. “I wanted our children to have the same opportunity for a Catholic education that I did,” Karen said. “The values and moral foundation it provides are so important, and Catholic schools help instill these in a way that secular schools cannot.”
The idea for the fund emerged after the passing of Karen’s father, Philip Terrence “Terry,” in 2022. His strong connection to St. Stephen, along with his and his wife’s shared belief in the power of Catholic education, inspired Karen and her daughter, Jacqueline, to establish the endowment in his honor. The fund provides tuition assistance grants to students at St. Stephen, helping families who may otherwise face financial barriers to a Catholic education.
Karen and Lee had been quietly supporting Catholic causes for years, but their philanthropy had always been a private matter. It was only recently that they shared their story with others, recognizing that this new fund could make a broader impact.
Jacqueline “Jackie” Guice, Karen’s daughter, has also long been a strong proponent of Catholic education. Her experiences at Mount de Sales Academy, where theology studies were both deep and thought-provoking, shaped her view on the importance of faith and education. “Seeking truth through prayer is a lifelong process,” Jackie said. “That’s what Catholic education taught me, and it’s what I want for other children.”
For the Sparr family, this endowment is a way to ensure that the values of Catholic education—centered on Christ, grounded in a strong moral code, and reinforced with theological understanding—continue to thrive. As Karen explains, “Catholic schools today seem to have a sturdier underpinning in the faith. They are dynamic and theological, not just ‘rote’ as it had been in the past. It’s the best of both worlds.”
“We deeply appreciate that St. Stephen has meant so much to the Sparr family that they have committed to seeing it continue to thrive for future generations of students,” Marianne Kozlowski, Principal, said. “Our Catholic community is very fortunate that so many, like the Sparrs, are profoundly engaged. Their generosity ensures that students of today and tomorrow will benefit from the strong faith-based education our school offers, and reflects the commitment of Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to nurture and sustain our beloved schools and values.”
