By: Patrick Lamb, Class of 2025 and Aidan Venters, Class of 2025
St. Mark’s High School
Timothy Boyle is dedicated to his work as a Saint Mark’s School Board volunteer.
“I want my children and the next generation of students to have the opportunity to come up in a caring and loving environment and get a great education,” said Boyle, illustrating the importance of a well-structured education. School board volunteers like Boyle help create a strong foundation for the future of Catholic education.
Boyle is not alone. Inspired by a mission of helping students grow in their education and faith, school board volunteers like Boyle are working to build a strong foundation for the future of Catholic education. These volunteers recognize that Catholic education is out of reach for some students. They say financial aid, fueled by generous donations, is critical to make sure as many young people can benefit from a Catholic education as possible.
Having served on the board for a few years, Boyle knows firsthand how impactful financial aid can be for students. He said he would only have been able to attend Saint Mark’s High School with tuition assistance. Now, serving as one of the youngest board members, he hopes to help break down similar barriers for students and help them achieve an impactful Catholic education.
“Saint Mark’s gave me more than I could repay; it gave me an education that let me achieve my dreams,” he said. Boyle said he would not be the person he is today if it was not for the time he spent at Saint Mark’s. Boyle volunteers because he believes you should give back if you are given cherished opportunities.
Anne Warpinski, a board member of Saints Peter & Paul School, is dedicated to her work as well. Warpinski encourages those who have children in schools to volunteer because “watching your child grow, not only physically, but spiritually is pretty amazing.”
Faith has been instilled in Warpinski’s life since she was born. She said she is still growing in her faith and strives for her children to grow in their faith as well. Her children have volunteered by being altar servers and volunteering at their colleges and workplaces. Warpinski volunteers because she treasures the family and community aspects of it, and not just from other parents but also from the teaching staff and administration.
Theresa Hughes, a diocesan school board member, is very oriented in her work. Raised in the church, Hughes now says that being raised Catholic is a gift. Hughes has witnessed many Catholic schools in our diocese and said, “Every school has its personality, but every school, when you walk in, you feel the joy, love, and Christ in those schools; it’s amazing.”
She was once a board member for Christ the Teacher Catholic School, which has a special place in her heart because her daughter went there for nine years.
“That vibe, that wonderful vibe, when you walk into Christ the Teacher is different in every single school; each school has its presence,” said Hughes. “This presence needs to be shared in our community and the world because that is what Catholicism is.”
Hughes volunteers to keep the vibrancy of Catholic schools alive because she believes she has something to give and wants to help.
Living your Catholic faith in school is not entirely possible for many children. Through the stories and words of these three board members, being able to go to these schools is a great privilege that they want to make more attainable for more children. Many more children can attend these beautiful schools through financial aid, as Boyle was given the chance. Many children might be held back from important lessons growing them physically and spiritually because of economic issues, as Warpinski stated. As Hughes said, some children can only experience the great vibe schools give off with financial aid.
Giving back to the community, sharing time, talent, and treasure can help to continuously grow and make our schools more accessible to our youth. It is everyone’s responsibility to give back and support the community.
Catholic schools nurture a stewardship community. Board members who give back are just one example — but everyone is called to give back and help our community. Charity is one of the main foundations of Catholic life, so why not give charity to those who need it the most, our youth who want to grow up in Catholic education?