Spreading Faith and Education

Scholar Family Relies on Aim Higher Foundation to Extend the Faith at Home

Daniel and Alexa Lopez have made it their mission to spread the Good News. The Miami natives both work as missionaries for the Catholic Church and were sent to Minnesota with their family to educate others on ways to live a religious life. “We work in the parishes for free and we catechize those in pews so they can live their faith,” says Alexa. “It’s good to know our faith, intellectually, but it’s also good to live it. This is our mission.”

Due to the nature of their work, Daniel and Alexa knew they wanted a Catholic education for their children, yet the cost was prohibitive. “We do everything for free because what was given to us in the Catholic church, we get it for free,” says Alexa. With finances in mind, they started their scholarly search at the nearby district school, but quickly realized they wanted their faith to be a more active part of their children’s educational experience. The couple approached Maternity of Mary in St. Paul and spoke with the principal about their predicament. “She told us as long as the children come there…she would try to work with us,” says Alexa. “And this is when she offered Aim Higher.”

Former Principal Maggie Quast of Maternity of Mary’s St. Andrew’s Catholic School helped the Lopez family find the funding needed to support their desire for an academic AND holy environment. “They are a faith-filled family committed to Catholic education,” says Quast. “I know the scholarships they received are of enormous help to them.”

The Lopez children—Rebecca, Sara, Santiago, and Matias—transitioned with ease to MMSA Catholic School, as they were surrounded by the teachings that they’ve grown accustomed to at home. “They like the fact that they feel encouraged and supported with their faith,” says Alexa. She finds solace in the knowledge that her kids pray at school; they pray in the morning, they pray before meals, they attend Mass, and they study the Sacraments.  “For me, it’s just a grace to have the kids in Catholic school,” says Alexa.  “My children, they need God to help them obey the teachers and the teachers need God to help them teach with love.”

The Lopez children are now thriving at MMSA and enjoy the perks of smaller class sizes and peers who share their beliefs. “To go to a school that teaches about faith going hand-in-hand with education—because without God, it’s hard to teach—this, to me, it’s big,” says Alexa.

Daniel and Alexa have utilized the support that comes from the Aim Higher Foundation on each of their children, and the missionaries are deeply grateful for the parish community that they’ve found at Maternity of Mary’s and the school community at St. Andrew’s. “The Lord always provides through others, “says Alexa. “Aim Higher helped us with all of our kids… so thank you; thank you very much.”

—Emily Sefton on behalf of the Aim Higher Foundation