Page 22 - 20-21 Annual Report

on her name at Cor Jesu Academy
with the Clare C. Furay Scholarship.
“Since she was recently out of the
Navy, Clare had a life insurance policy
with a substantial payout,” Alice said.
“We wanted to do something to
honor her that we knew she would
love. She loved education and writing,
and her years at CJA were precious
to her, so starting the scholarship to Clare Furay featured in the 1988 Cor Jesu Academy
help families in need was the perfect yearbook in her Halloween costume.
combination of all those things.”
Conal and Jean Furay, Clare’s parents, Cor Jesu educate the whole person – it
were very specific when they started is what makes this school stand apart
the scholarship in 2000. The money from others. The lessons of grace and
was to be designated for families who resiliency all three of us have learned
encounter something unexpected that from this life event are reinforced at
changes their ability to pay tuition at CJA. Cor Jesu in the classroom, in activities
“Clare learned a lot about barriers and and in relationships. As I’ve watched
resiliency in her experiences, particularly my daughters volunteer for stage crew,
in the Navy and the JVC,” Alice said. give tours to prospective families or
“We like that this scholarship is sending serve as retreat leaders, I hope Clare is
a message to families to keep moving looking down from heaven and smiling
forward during the difficult times, about this chapter of her legacy.”
and while you’re pushing through, Heaven would be full of joys…
this scholarship is here to help.”
The Furays all agreed that Clare would not
The Ruffino family, who received the have been the person she was without
Clare C. Furay Scholarship during the Cor Jesu, and her calling to a life of service
2020-2021 school year, heard that is represented with her scholarship.
encouraging message loud and clear. “The fact that Clare can continue
The family encountered a series of to answer that call from heaven is
unexpected events leaving Jen Ruffino, really neat for all of us,” Ann said.
parent of Annie Ruffino ’21 and Ally
Ruffino ’23, wondering if she could afford “I have peace in knowing that other
Catholic education for her daughters. young women get to experience the joys
that come with attending CJA, as well as
“Suddenly realizing I was a single mom the spiritual and academic growth that
who had sole custody and sole financial come with being a Cor Jesu student,”
responsibility meant I would be forced Elizabeth said. “I hope the young women
to make sacrifices and tough choices,” benefitting from Clare’s scholarship
Jen said. “After many prayers for courage, are able to carry on the tradition of
dignity and humility, I asked CJA for stewardship to those who are in need.”
help. I didn’t know how scholarships
were funded or the stories behind the Yes, heaven is nice to think
donations that make tuition assistance about. So God, wherever you are,
possible. When we read Clare’s story, all I’ve taken the liberty of doing
three of us were moved to tears. I’ve seen a little planning for you…

*Italicized portions of this story were taken from Clare’s piece entitled “Thoughts on Heaven” that she wrote as a student at Cor Jesu. This piece, combined
with hundreds of others, is compiled in a book called “Essentially Clare: The Story of a Young Christian Woman.” The Furay family put Clare’s pieces together
in this book after her death to honor and cherish her memory. Read the entire “Thoughts on Heaven” piece on the next page.

20 | FY 2020-21 DATES: JULY 1, 2020-JUNE 30, 2021