Catholic Foundation Creates New Funds, names Msgr. Bob Jaeger Honorary Steward

The Board of Directors of the Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Colorado Springs has created two new named endowment funds and named Msgr. Bob Jaeger as its 2026 Honorary Steward. 

The Trechter-Colapietro Catholic Education Fund was established by Joseph and Lori Trechter to honor the lives of Harry and Mary Trechter and Angelo and Veronica Colapietro and continue their legacies by helping families choose Catholic education for their children. The fund exclusively supports Saint Gabriel Classical Academy to help underwrite costs as deemed necessary by the academy.

The Sega Family Catholic Education Endowed Fund was established by Major General Ronald Sega to provide for the development of excellent teachers and instructors for schools within the diocese. As an initial objective, the fund will support the development of the teaching faculty for the preschool at St. Joseph Parish in Salida.

Named endowed funds allow the foundation to make an annual grant from a portion of the investment income generated by the fund to support the donor-designated beneficiary. As the value of the fund grows over time, so does the fund’s impact. The Foundation is immensely grateful to the donors whose generosity made these funds possible. Donations like these help the Foundation in its mission of “Creating a legacy of support for the apostolates and ministries of the Diocese of Colorado Springs.”

The foundation also announced that it will host its 2026 Stewards Reception on Sep. 4, 2026. This year, the foundation will honor Msgr. Bob Jaeger as its 2026 Honorary Steward. Msgr. Jaeger has served as Secretary of the Board of Directors for many years and has been instrumental in building the foundation’s assets, including the St. Paul Church and School Endowed Fund. The Stewards are individuals or couples who make a gift or pledge of $25,000.00 or more to the Stewards Endowment. The Stewards Endowment is a board-designated fund that allows the Catholic Foundation to respond to the most pressing needs of the diocese, parishes, schools, and ministries of Colorado Springs.  To learn more about the Stewards, visit the Foundation’s website at www.catholicfoundationdcs.org.

Finally, the Catholic Foundation appointed John Schlageter as Executive Director. Schlageter previously served as interim executive director. 

"John and his team have done a tremendous job directing the foundation forward," said Chris Scurto, chairman of the board of directors.