Catholic schools are essential to the life, ministry and future of our church.

On the weekend of September 24-25 at all Masses celebrated in our diocese, the annual tuition assistance collection, Share in the Spirit, will take place. This collection provides parishioners the opportunity to show their support for one of the diocese’s most important initiatives: providing a Catholic education for every child who desires one.

Contributions to the collections, combined with funds from the diocesan Vision for the Future education trust, help open the doors of Catholic elementary and secondary schools to children whose parents struggle to afford the full cost of tuition.

 “A Catholic education should be in reach to any parent whose desire is to place their child in a learning environment where Jesus is the center of all that they do,” says Deborah Fols, director of the diocese’s Development Office.

Tuition assistance isn’t a handout; it’s a helping hand. Families who receive assistance are responsible for at least 50 percent of the cost of their children’s education.

The number of families seeking tuition assistance is overwhelming. Parents are feeling severe financial pressure in the current economy, adding to the challenge the diocese faces in keeping a Catholic education accessible. Contributions to the Share in the Spirit collection not only benefit families in need but also help sustain the enrollment levels necessary to make Catholic schools a dynamic institution in our communities.

Last year, parishioners throughout the diocese contributed nearly $250,000 to the Share in the Spirit collection. Those gifts coupled with proceeds from the diocesan education trust have enabled the diocese to provide $579,000 in tuition assistance to 307 students at 23 schools for the current school year.

But the need is much greater. The diocese received more than 800 applications representing 1240 students. The Private School Aid Services, an independent agent that analyses the financial need of each applicant, determined that more than $3.6 million would be required to fulfill the maximum need of each family who qualified for assistance.

 “When a parent learns that their child will be able to receive a Catholic education because they are a recipient of tuition assistance, they are overcome with joy and gratitude. Their prayers have been answered. Unfortunately, because tuition needs far exceed our available funds, not every parent receives good news. In many cases, even though a family qualifies for assistance there simply is not enough money available for everyone,” says Fols. “Our hope is that our parishioners will see the value in Catholic education and support the Share in the Spirit collection so that more children can benefit from their generosity.”

 “Catholic schools are essential to the life, ministry, and future of our church. Through Share in the Spirit each of us can provide an excellent opportunity to educate our children, to provide leaders for the future, and to help students and their families know and grow in their Catholic faith,” says Cathy Weaver, superintendent of diocesan schools.

The value of a Catholic education cannot be underestimated.

Catholic schools are communities of learners working together in caring environments. Using the gifts God gave them, students are encouraged to become productive and contributing members of society.  Religious teaching fosters a sense of respect and dignity which comes from recognizing the image and likeness of God in each person.

Catholic school students are invited to develop leadership skills and to embrace leadership through service to others.  Graduates demonstrate success at every level, with impressive acceptances to high schools and colleges, and through significant accomplishments in the community and the world of work.  Test scores at the elementary and high school level demonstrate that student academic skills measure well above national averages.

The academic program in Catholic Schools exceeds state and national content standards.  At both the elementary and secondary level, students are provided with learning opportunities to stretch their minds and expand their vision as they explore the world.

Students are engaged in instruction that is relevant and current.  Students apply, analyze and synthesize as they learn.  They are called to think deeply and reason critically in learning. A variety of learning styles and methods are applied to prepare students for future study and for work. 

Curriculum and instruction are reviewed and updated annually.  Hands on learning, creativity and teamwork complement more traditional methods of instruction.  Assessment of students is varied and frequent with regular communication to parents about progress and challenges to learning.

The value of a Catholic education cannot be underestimated.  For more than 170 years, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wilmington have carried out their essential mission to educate students in the light of Jesus Christ.  One of the best ways that you can participate in this mission is by donating to the “Share in the Spirit” collection.  Not only will you be providing a child with an outstanding Catholic education, but you will foster the work of Catholic schools now and for the future.