Catholic schools get boost from CDA

Community asked to commit to appeal this weekend

By Ambria Hammel | February 2, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

Feeling the pinch of a tight economy, Catholic schools all over the nation are either consolidating or closing all together, according to the National Catholic Educational Association.

But thanks in large part to the Charity and Development Appeal, the outlook in Phoenix has hope. The CDA provides assistance every year with funds to support operating budgets as well as financial aid to families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford a Catholic education.

“CDA is our lifeblood,” said Gena McGowan, principal of St. Matthew School near downtown Phoenix. “These kids wouldn’t get an education if it weren’t for the CDA.”

McGowan said many family incomes are low and unstable — some families eat dinner at the nearby St. Vincent de Paul dining room. Financial help for the school is particularly needed this year to help the kids get a better start in life, she said.

“It can be that little bit extra that they need to get out of poverty and get an education,” McGowan said of a Catholic education.

The education portion of the 2009 appeal kicked off last weekend in parishes throughout the Diocese of Phoenix. This weekend, churchgoers will be asked to make their commitment to the annual appeal, which funds more than 70 community agencies and diocesan parishes, schools and ministries.

Supporting schools

Strong academics coupled with an emphasis on morals and ethics help students successfully transition into Catholic high schools and into the community.

St. Matthew is one of 12 elementary schools and three high schools that received more than $1.5 million in CDA grants last year. Monies typically boost the operating budget. That in turn lowers the financial burden on each campus, which keeps tuition in check.

This is important not only in a tight economy, but in a diocese where nearly every school has students receiving some form of financial assistance.

“The challenge is how to help the schools use their resources and spread the CDA money to as many schools as possible,” said MaryBeth Mueller, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the diocese.

She suggested investing in scholarships. That’s what Liz Hansen, director of finance at St. Mary’s High School, does with the school’s CDA allocation.

Half of the school’s CDA money is earmarked for financial aid with the other half boosting the operating budget. That strategy benefits the entire student body through lower tuition. Some St. Mary’s students benefit from CDA a second time through the scholarship.

“We want a Catholic education to not be a luxury for the rich,” Hansen said.

Schools ‘Celebrate Service’

School administrators are working to instill in their students a good sense of stewardship and helping others by encouraging their support of the CDA, which was partly inspired by this year’s National Catholic Educational Association’s theme of “Celebrate Service.”

“It doesn’t matter how old you are. It doesn’t matter how young you are. CDA is a way of practicing stewardship,” said Fr. Greg Schlarb, vicar of stewardship for the diocese.

Beginning this month, the Office of Stewardship will provide every school with a specially designed chapel-shaped bank created by local Catholic artist Dean Dwyer. The chapel will bear the school’s name, an image of the Holy Family and the CDA logo. It will be placed in a prominent spot on campus to serve as a reminder for students to leave their contributions and support the CDA for the rest of the school year.

Ric and Davonna Serrano, co-chairs of the 2009 appeal, with their children Sarah and Stephen, introduced the idea during the Catholic Schools Week Mass Jan. 28. Every student will also receive a CDA prayer card and be asked to pray for those in need in our community.

“It will be encouraged in the classroom, at school-wide events and at home,” said Mueller, superintendent.

Sr. Mary Norbert Long, SC, principal of St. Mary-Basha School in Chandler, looks forward to bringing the CDA to the elementary school.

“Our kids are extremely service-oriented. They think of the other quite often,” Sr. Mary Norbert said.

Her 530 students raised $650 for Maggie’s Place during a “buck-a-jean” and “buck-a-top” day last month. She expects them to raise $3,000-$4,000 by next week through the school’s “pennies for leukemia” drive.

Fr. Schlarb is excited for the students’ involvement.

“When the participation level goes up, it doesn’t matter what little you give,” he said, “all of a sudden that little bit becomes a lot.”