Planned Giving Donors become a member of the Kelly Circle in recognition for their commitment to Carmel Catholic’s mission of providing excellent academics and values for a better life. Sr. Mary Cecil Kelly B.V.M. was the first Principal of Carmel High School for Girls. Her gifts of deep Christian faith, academic innovation and community spirit helped shaped the traditions for Carmel Catholic High School. In her name, Kelly Circle donors sustain Sr. Kelly’s legacy by providing a sound basis for financial support for generations of students.

A donor becomes a member of the Kelly Circle by notifying Carmel Catholic High School of his/her intent to make a planned gift to Carmel Catholic. As recognition of their commitment, Kelly Circle members receive:

Kelly Circle members receive this commemorative Planned Giving Certificate of Membership enclosed in the official CCHS diploma cover.

Kelly Circle members also receive:

• Recognition of their commitment on our Honor Wall of Donors located in the main lobby of our school
• The Kelly Circular Newsletter
• Special invitations to Carmel Catholic events

A Life of Dedication to Her Educational Ministry

"...we hope and pray that the lives and influence of our graduates will continue to have an impact for good as they fulfill our hope of giving service to God and society as responsible, spiritually-minded and well-informed citizens, who practice the Christian virtues and social principles that were taught to them during their years at Carmel."

A reflection by Sr. Mary Cecil Kelly, BVM on the 25th anniversary of Carmel Catholic High School

Sister Mary Cecil Kelly (1909-1993) was the first Principal of Carmel High School for Girls. Born and raised in Chicago, Cecil graduated from Immaculata High School and DePaul University and entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (B.V.M.) in 1929. She dedicated her life to the ministry of education. Her missions took her to high schools and colleges across the Midwest including: St. Patrick, Iowa City; Assumption, Davenport; Carmel High School, Mundelein; and Mundelein College, Chicago. In additional to her service as a teacher and a principal, she served as the Regional Representative for Region 6 of the B.V.M.’s. She retired at Wright Hall, Chicago at age 75 where she lived until her death in 1993.