Work progresses on the new St. Joan of Arc Catholic School in Bettendorf.
By Barb Arland-Fye
Editor
Father Jason Crossen describes St. Joan of Arc Catholic School — opening next fall in northeast Bettendorf — as “an amazing testament of faith.” That faith fueled “the desire of the community and the parishes of St. John Vianney and Our Lady of Lourdes to build something new and exciting for the future.”
Melissa Steinke, who was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes, also demonstrated an amazing testament of faith before cancer took her life 10 years ago at age 51. The wife and mother also loved children, which inspired her husband, Joe, who has since remarried, to establish with his wife, Sandy, the Melissa Steinke Scholarship. It will provide financial aid to students in need who attend St. Joan of Arc School.
Joe knew that Melissa and I had become friends in a small prayer group. “You know how Melissa was in her faith and all things Catholicism,” Joe said. “She was always on fire for the Lord. It came to our hearts, my wife Sandy and I, to honor Melissa for all she gave back to the Catholic community and the people she came in contact with.”
The scholarship is “an amazing opportunity for families to receive a great Catholic education in a brand new, state of the art facility,” Father Crossen said. “It is a great benefit that helps ensure that we can provide with confidence Catholic education in Bettendorf for years to come.”
Nick Steinke, one of Melissa and Joe’s four children, said the scholarship “embodies the opportunity for people to be exposed to the Catholic faith. I think that’s what my mom always wanted.” Nick works in finance for Our Lady of Lourdes and the St. Joan of Arc Foundation.
Melissa “truly understood the value of faith-based education, not only for families, but to benefit the greater faith community as well,” the foundation states on its website. “She knew the future of the Catholic Church greatly depends on growing intentional disciples through Catholic education.” Joe and Sandy will match $.50 for every $1 donated to the scholarship fund’s “Sponsor a Student” up to $100,000. “$100,000 donated will equal $150,000 in scholarships for St. Joan of Arc School!”
The school, located at the corner of Criswell Street and Hopewell Avenue, is in an area of rapid growth and development in northeast Bettendorf. The foundation believes that the growth of Catholic families will follow this trend. Based on expected population growth, the Diocese of Davenport projects that 2,000 more Catholics will live in Bettendorf by 2035, the foundation states.
Donors to the Melissa Steinke Scholarship can visit the website (https://tinyurl.com/4dn9wb8n) to learn more details and make a donation. Also, “there are still spots available for kids to register for St. Joan of Arc School this fall,” Joe said.
My memories of Melissa focus on her love for others, and the prayer intentions she shared for them in our weekly prayer group meetings. She cherished her Catholic faith and shared it unabashedly in her interactions with others. Incredibly, her faith seemed to intensify after her battle with cancer began. I remember visiting her in the hospital toward the end of her life and how excited she became when she noticed a red cardinal outside her window. The cardinal seemed like a sign of hope for her, an assurance of God’s presence.
When her daughter-in-law Lorena Steinke asked if I would be willing to promote donations to the scholarship in The Catholic Messenger, my answer was swift. Of course! The youths who will benefit from the Melissa Steinke Scholarship are the future of our Catholic Church. I can see Melissa’s warm smile, knowing that the Catholic faith will continue.
(Contact Editor Barb Arland-Fye at arland-fye@davenportdiocese.org)
