Alumnus Serves as LeBlond Chaplain

An alumnus has returned to Bishop LeBlond to serve in an important role: Father Garrett King ’11 was appointed as the high school’s new chaplain and began his duties this fall. 

At least one current member of the LeBlond family remembers him as a student – Kimberly Huss, now LeBlond’s principal, was his biology teacher and track coach. She said she is happy to see him return to serve as chaplain. 

“We welcome Father King and are excited that he will provide for the sacramental needs and spiritual guidance of our students and faculty,” Kimberly said. “The presence of a chaplain is necessary for the faith formation and spiritual growth of our students." 

Father King, a native of St. Joseph and also a graduate of Cathedral School, said he is looking forward to serving as chaplain at LeBlond. He wants to get to know all the students and help them draw closer to Christ. His role as chaplain will include celebrating the weekly all-school Mass, hearing confessions and presenting opportunities for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He also plans to attend students’ extra-curricular events. 

Father King, who is also serving as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in St. Joseph, remembered his time as a LeBlond student. 

“I felt challenged to grow both spiritually and academically,” he said. He remembers the positive influence of several LeBlond staff, including Kimberly, but especially Father Matthew Benjamin, who was LeBlond’s chaplain when Father King was a senior. “Father Matthew was one of the reasons I am a priest.”   

Prior to his new role at LeBlond, Father King served as the Newman Center chaplain at Missouri Western State University, and he said he enjoyed developing relationships with the students and helping them grow in their faith. 

He attended Missouri Western for two years after graduating from LeBlond and was active in the Newman Center. He said that experience helped shape his calling to the priesthood, and he began attending seminary in 2013. 

“I received a lot of encouragement and got a lot of questions answered,” he said of his time as a college student at the Newman Center. “I gained a greater appreciation for the Mass and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.” He hopes to offer those opportunities to the high school students now as they transition to adulthood.  

Father King is replacing Father Benjamin Armentrout, who served as LeBlond’s chaplain for three years.

“Father Armentrout put a lot of time and dedication into the position,” Father King said. “He did a lot to connect with the students, and I want to keep that going.” 

Kimberly agreed. She said Father Armentrout helped enhance the Catholicity of LeBlond and helped to create a connection between the local parishes and the high school.

“We hope that Fr. King will be able to continue to enrich the culture of our school and provide a visible example of vocations to our school community,” Kimberly said. “The presence of a chaplain on campus is vital for the mission of our school.” 

Why Choose SJCA?

Joleen Aberer and Kristi Rasmussen may not have a lot in common when it comes to their families in Catholic schools. 

Joleen, second-grade teacher at St. James School, and her husband, Mike, have seven children who all attended St. Joseph Catholic Academy. Their two youngest are currently at Bishop LeBlond High School, and they currently have four grandchildren who attend St. James. They have had children in the Academy for almost two decades. 

Kristi Rasmussen, director of Communications and Marketing for the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, and her husband, Paul, have one daughter, Katarina. She began attending St. Gianna Early Childhood Center and is currently in seventh grade at Cathedral. 

But they do share this in common: Both are very happy with their choice to send their children to the Academy. They appreciate the strong academics in a faith-based atmosphere, and both feel a strong sense of community within the schools. 

Joleen said she grew up attending Catholic schools in Omaha, Nebraska, and Mike attended two years at St. Patrick School in St. Joseph (now closed) before attending public school. 

When the time came to choose a school for their children, Joleen said they never really had a conversation about it. 

“It was just an assumption that we would send them to Catholic school,” she said. “Mike knew what he didn’t get growing up and he wanted it for his kids.” 

Kristi said she always figured they would send her daughter to public school, but they had such a great experience at St. Gianna’s that they decided to continue at Cathedral. 

Then her husband, who went to a Catholic church as a child but was not confirmed, had an interest in becoming Catholic and went through RCIA classes. “I wanted us all to be able to take Communion together, so I went through the classes the next year,” Kristi said. 

She said one experience when Katarina was in kindergarten cemented their decision about Catholic school education. 

“Before my mother passed, we used to talk on speaker phone every day on the way to school. Mom was talking about a friend of hers who was sick. A few minutes later I looked in the back seat and saw Katarina praying. When she was done I asked her what she was praying about and she said, ‘for Grandma’s friend to get better.’ As much as I’d like to say that was my great parenting skills, I think that was more Mrs. Supple’s (her kindergarten teacher’s) influence. It warmed my heart and is something I’ll never forget.”

Joleen remembers feeling a sense of belonging and validation of her and Mike’s decision from the moment she registered her oldest daughter for school at St. James. “A mom came up to me and gave me several uniforms, all clean and pressed. She saw that I had several daughters and knew I could use them. I know it seems like such a small thing, but I felt so welcomed,” Joleen said. “It was nice to immediately feel a part of the community, especially since I didn’t grow up here.”  

(She also noted that she had five girls go through Catholic schools and she only had to buy one uniform skirt. “Later, someone gave me skirts, so if I had waited two weeks, I wouldn’t have had to buy any,” she said with a laugh.) 

Joleen believes the relationships that her family formed with their children’s teachers is another great benefit of Catholic schools. “The teachers have helped us through the difficult times. It’s bigger than academics; the teachers really get to know the kids and their needs. No system is ever perfect, but when you are on this parenting ride with like-minded people, it really helps.” 

“Overall, I’m totally confident with our choice in sending our daughter to a Catholic school,” Kristi said. “The small class sizes are great and she knows all the teachers and administrators in the building. She’s known most of the kids in her class for so long, they feel like extended family. And she is exposed to God every day.”

Joleen had been teaching part time, but began teaching full time this academic year because all  full-time Academy teachers now receive free tuition for their children, no matter which Academy school their children attend and no matter where they teach. 

“Every day in the Catholic school, children are surrounded by people whose faith is important to them,” Joleen said. “Faith becomes more of the fiber of their lives rather than just a small part of it.” 

One of the most powerful ways SJCA grows is through the enthusiasm and recommendations of our current families. By sharing the many benefits of Catholic education, along with the scholarships and financial aid opportunities available, you can help others see that a Catholic education is an achievable and life-changing option for their family. Potential families can visit www.stjoecatholicacademy.com/tours to set up a tour!

Maximizing the Benefits of 529 Plans for Private School Tuition

Cristina Wiebelt-Smith

For families invested in providing a quality Catholic education, the cost of tuition is often a significant consideration. Fortunately, a powerful financial tool can make these expenses more manageable while offering tax benefits: the 529 plan.

What is a 529 Plan?

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future education expenses. While traditionally associated with college savings, federal tax laws now allow families to use 529 plans to pay for up to $10,000 per year per student in tuition for K-12 private schools, including Catholic elementary and high schools.

How Does it Work for Missouri residents?

Missouri families enjoy additional benefits when contributing to a 529 plan. Contributions to any 529 plan are tax-deductible on state income taxes—up to $8,000 per year for individuals or $16,000 for married couples filing jointly.

For example, if a married couple contributes $10,000 to a MOST 529 plan and uses $8,000 of that to pay for private school tuition, they will still receive a $10,000 deduction on their Missouri state taxes. It’s a simple yet impactful way to save on taxes while supporting your child’s Catholic education.

Contribution Limits

Although Missouri offers state tax deductions for contributions up to $8,000 (or $16,000 for married couples), you can contribute much more to a 529 plan. The lifetime contribution limit for a Missouri 529 plan is $550,000 per beneficiary. While you may not need to save that much for K-12 tuition, these plans are an excellent long-term savings vehicle if you plan to fund both private school and college expenses.

Benefits of Using a 529 Plan for K-12 Tuition

1. Tax-Free Growth: Any earnings in a 529 plan grow tax-free, meaning you won’t pay federal or state taxes on investment gains while the money is in the 529 plan. You also won't pay taxes when you take distributions to pay for qualified educational expenses, which includes K-12 tuition.

2. State Tax Deduction: Contributions reduce your Missouri taxable income, providing immediate tax savings.

3. Flexibility: Funds can be used for tuition at private elementary schools, high schools, and colleges, giving families the flexibility to plan for their child’s entire educational journey. Funds can also be transferred to another family member if one child doesn't need the money. 

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How to Get Started

If you’re new to 529 plans, opening an account is straightforward. You can visit Missouri’s MOST 529 website to create an account and set up automatic contributions. Even small, consistent contributions can add up over time and make a big difference in covering tuition costs.

Once you have a 529 plan, you can deposit the amount of your child's tuition in it to get the tax deduction. If you’ve already paid some of the tuition, you can reimburse yourself. If not, you can use it to pay the school. You can put the money in at any time during the year and reimburse yourself at any time.  

By leveraging the benefits of a 529 plan, our families can reduce the financial burden of tuition while ensuring their children receive the values-based education that Catholic schools provide.

For more information about using a 529 plan for Catholic school tuition, consult your financial advisor or CPA. For general questions, I'm happy to help as well. 

Cristina Wiebelt-Smith, CPA & Wealth Advisor 816-259-5060 cristina@gertsema.net