Youth Faith In Action Scholarship

In Memory of Mary Jeanne Kennedy Anderson

Recognizing high school seniors who show commitment to community service through their Catholic faith.

The annual Mary Jeanne Kennedy Anderson Youth Faith in Action Scholarship pays tribute to Mary for her devotion and service to children in schools and in honor of her life guided by her Catholic faith. Mary’s heart was filled with love for God, family and children.

About Mary

Mary Jeanne Kennedy Anderson was a retired Madison-area nurse who served on the Catholic Charities of Madison board of directors and various committees. She was a devoted mother of five and grandmother of nine who enjoyed volunteering and directing her energies to helping others. She passed away on Dec. 6, 2013 from ovarian cancer. The Mary Jeanne Kennedy Anderson Youth Faith in Action Scholarship was established by her family and Catholic Charities in 2014.

Application Requirements

Catholic Charities of Madison is seeking applications for the Mary Jeanne Kennedy Anderson Youth Faith in Action Scholarship, which recognizes two high school seniors who have shown a commitment to community service with $2,000 scholarships.

Applicants will be evaluated on their past and current parish and community service, including leadership roles, and their commitment to a future that encompasses a dedication to putting their faith in action.

Residency: Diocese of Madison
Academic: High school senior during the 2023-2024 academic year; Plans to attend a college, university or technical school in 2024; Minimum GPA of 3.0
Criteria: Current member of a Diocese of Madison parish; Parish and community service, including leadership roles; Commitment to a future that encompasses a dedication to their faith in action
Application Deadline: December 15, 2023
Awards: Two awardees per year, $2,000 scholarship per awardee. Scholarships will be presented to recipients by Bishop Donald Hying on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Frassati Fest in Wisconsin Dells.
Application Materials:

1. Scholarship Application Form (may be completed using the form below or download the PDF version)

2. Essay: A 300- to 400-word, typed essay describing a) how you have put your faith in action, b) how you will continue to put your faith in action in your life and c) the importance this holds for you and your community.

3. Personal Reference Questionnaire: The questionnaire must be completed by a parish priest, deacon or director of religious education indicating your level of parish involvement. Questionnaires may also be completed by a priest or deacon previously assigned to your parish. (Please download the PDF below for the form)
How to Submit: Applicants can a) use the electronic submission form on this webpage OR b) attach all application materials to a single email and send it to scholarship@ccmadison.org.

Online Application

Applicant Name(Required)

First Last

Applicant Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Applicant Email(Required)

Applicant Phone(Required)

Preferred Form of Communication(Required)

Text message

Phone call

Overall GPA(Required)

Anticipated Year of High School Graduation(Required)

High School(Required)

Parish(Required)

Parent's Name(s)(Required)

Parent's Email(Required)

Parent's Phone(Required)

Parent's Preferred Form of Communication(Required)

Text message

Phone call

Parish/Community Service

Please summarize 3-4 parish and/or community service projects or activities you have been involved in during the past three years.

Activity #1(Required)

Length of Service – Activity #1(Required)

Activity #2(Required)

Length of Service – Activity #2(Required)

Activity #3(Required)

Length of Service – Activity #3(Required)

Activity #4

Length of Service – Activity #4

Describe your future plans for college, i.e. college you plan to attend and field of study.(Required)

To complete this application, please upload:

1. Essay(Required)

A 300-400 word, typed essay describing a) how you have put your faith in action, b) how you will continue to put your faith in action in your life and c) the importance this holds for you and your community.

Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 10 MB.

2. Personal Reference Questionnaire(Required)

A completed Personal Reference Questionnaire from your parish priest, deacon or director of religious education indicating your level of parish involvement. Questionnaires may also be completed by a priest or deacon previously assigned to your parish.