schools

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson spoke with Bob and Peggy McGartland of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish at the celebration for the Federation of Catholic Schools in the Northeast Deanery Aug. 11. The McGartlands were incolved in the early stages of planning for what would become the federation. The presentation was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on the Old St Ferdinand Shrine property. A reception and tours of the shrine followed the presentation.

During my first year as archbishop of St. Louis, I visited many schools and learned a lot about the rich tradition and history of Catholic education in this part of the country. Who could fail to be impressed by, and grateful for, the heritage that is ours? We all owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the women and men — clergy, religious and laypeople — who built our schools and who have sustained our commitment to Catholic education for nearly 200 years in spite of many obstacles!

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester-based Catholic Education Foundation, an organization that provides scholarships nationwide to Catholic high school students, has announced a new effort to expand and strengthen the relationships that Catholic elementary and secondary schools have with Catholic colleges.

The venture is a joint effort with the Cardinal Newman Society, a national organization based in Virginia that works "to help renew and strengthen Catholic identity in Catholic higher education," as its mission statement says.

Ariana Ehrhard, Rory Kness, Jordan Tate, Abby Banholzer chose items to purchase as part of the Keys to Success program at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne School in Florissant. In the background are Kiley Donovan, Nolan Kelsey, Autumn Morris, Jacob Morris, Jeffrey Ackermann, Kyra Afolabi and Grace Beane. St. Rose Philippine Duchesne is one of eight parish schools that are part of the Federation of Catholic Schools in the Northeast Deanery.

A new collaborative effort in the archdiocese is being touted as a gateway to increasing the viability, affordability and accessibility of quality Catholic education in the Northeast County Deanery.

The Federation of Catholic Schools in the Northeast Deanery will work toward enhancing academic programming and developing marketing and fundraising plans for eight parish schools in the deanery. All 11 parishes of the deanery support the federation and so far have contributed a combined $60,000 to support forthcoming activities.

Students at St. Joan of Arc School in South St. Louis played carnival games during a fundraiser for children in Haiti. Eighteen schools in the City of St. Louis raised more than $20,000 for Catholic Relief Services’ Haitian relief.

Eighteen Catholic schools in the City of St. Louis raised more than $20,000 during Lent to aid children in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. That is an average of more than $1,000 per school.

George Henry, archdiocesan superintendent of Catholic education that the students' feat "is a testimony to their parents, teachers and administrators that they are learning the principles of social justice and what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ -- when one is suffering, all suffer."

On his first day at the Academy of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in Florissant, Allen Molitor, 10, explained his reasoning to the teacher as he worked on a geometric math manipulative project. With support from the Annual Catholic Appeal, the school is able to keep costs down and provide greater services for children with learning disabilities.

If the Annual Catholic Appeal meets its 2010 goal of $11.75 million, it will provide $332,500 to the archdiocesan Department of Special Education, which includes two special education schools, a center for autism, two inclusionary early childhood centers, three learning centers and St. Joseph Special Services.

When the Annual Catholic Appeal provides financial assistance to the archdiocesan Department of Special Education, it is helping families such as the Sniezak family of St. Charles County.

The Annual Catholic Appeal helps schools meet both special and ongoing needs.

At Annunciation School in Webster Groves, the boiler had been a problem for some years. With the help of a grant from the ACA, the boiler was repaired and modified. Not a glamorous story, but one with a very happy ending for the folks at Annunciation.

"The boiler really wasn't functioning very well," said Annunciation principal Mchael Biggs.