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Boosting funding for vibrant Catholic schools

Despite the poor economy, the Archdiocese of St. Louis increased aid to Catholic education $700,000 over the previous year, allowing vital school programsand the renovated school gym at St. Pius X High School in Festus.

See related story on funding education.

Spanish teacher Rebecca DeLegaretta worked with third-graders at St. Frances Cabrini Academy in South St. Louis, giving instructions for a game in Spanish. Financial support from the archdiocese allows the school to provide many educational opportunities, including foreign languages.

BY BARBARA WATKINS | bwatkins@archstl.org

The Archdiocese of St. Louis provided more than $14.2 million in aid to Catholic education in the 2009 calendar year, an increase of $700,000 over the previous year, despite the poor economy.

George Henry, superintendent of Catholic education, credited the funding increase to the "generosity of the Catholic community." The increase came from donations to the Annual Catholic Appeal and a boost in assistance from the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation. Funding also comes from stewardship efforts by parishes for Catholic education.

Tebow pro-life ad for Super Bowl brings thousands of supporters

By Catholic News Agency

Washington, D.C. -- More than 50,000 people have reportedly submitted comments to a website in support of college football star Tim Tebow's appearance in a pro-life Super Bowl ad.

The Susan B. Anthony List set up the website BlockHardForTebow.com to show support for the ad, in which Tebow and his mother, Pam Tebow, discuss how Pam refused to abort him despite a life-threatening infection.

Annuziata School in Ladue celebrates 25 years of serving special-needs students

Judy Chiodini, a teacher at Annunziata School in Ladue, worked with Nora Baker on a spelling exercise Feb. 1. The school is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a special-needs school. Annunziata provides a complete-school experience for elementary students with attention disabilities who require small classes to succeed. The students were allowed to dress out of uniform for Catholic Schools Week.

By Megan Myers | meganmyers@stlouisreview.com

There was a momentary hush when school principal Gerre Book dropped in during a spelling class at Annunziata School. A few seconds later, one student introduced herself and her classmates. Some of the students were playing games on the floor, and none of them were in their seats. But Book, dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans, was not there to scold them.

"Awesome job, Mary!" she told her, before explaining that one year ago, the student would likely have hid behind a desk. "I love hearing about the little milestones they reach," Book later said.

Stay focused on Haiti, returning aid workers say

By Joseph Kenny | jkenny@stlouisreview.com

Dee Leahy wants people to keep focused on Haiti long after the news reporters leave there.

"The people are suffering, and they will continue to suffer. But they are resilient," said Leahy, a member of Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Webster Groves who was in Port-au-Prince during the earthquakes there last month.

One Haitian told her: "You can cut down all our flowers, but you can't take away our springtime."

Parish Life | St. Norbert Parish's "Neighborhood Church Community" program aims to bring faith to the home

Members of the Morning Star Neighborhood Church Community group gather for refreshments in the home of Jim and Mary Ann Sovar after a home Mass. From left to right are Mary Ann Sovar, Peter Busalacki, Jim Sovar and Father Jim Mitulski, pastor of St. Norbert Parish in Florissant.

By Megan Myers | meganmyers@stlouisreview.com

When Father Jim Mitulski, pastor of St. Norbert Parish in Florisant, looks back on his childhood in North St. Louis, he best remembers the sense of friendship and camaraderie that existed among his neighbors.