THE GOOD
NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN
| JOBS BOX |
| OKLAHOMA CITY ARCHDIOCESE |
| CONTACT US |
| from August 1, 2004
The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow materialized this summer for parochial schools in the archdiocese in the form of $500,000 worth of assistance from the ADF campaign. This was an increase of $2.27 over last year for each elementary student and $4.54 over last year for each high school student. Elem-entary schools received $69.38 for each student and secondary schools, $138.77. Assistance to Saint Gregory University remained constant at $100,000. The funds were distributed based on enrollment numbers at each school. Just under 5,000 students are enrolled in Catholic schools throughout the archdiocese from 4 years to high school. According to several of the principals at Catholic schools this ADF windfall has enabled them to move forward with new programs and to fund successful programs already in place. Most schools received their portion of the ADF money in mid-July. Some have already decided what to do with the money; others like Sr. Patricia Ann Miller, principal of Villa Teresa in Moore are still deciding. She said she is thrilled with the $4,926 her school has received. “There are just so many things to choose from. I’m not sure. I haven’t made up my mind yet. We are just very grateful for it,” Sister Patricia Ann said. Kathleen Vogt, secretary at Holy Trinity School in Okarche, said the $6,592 Holy Trinity received “will be put toward pay raises for teachers.” Pam Smith, principal of Bishop John Carroll School in Oklahoma City, has earmarked the $14,501 ADF fudns for “the general budget, to hold down costs for tuition. Our goal is to keep providing quality educational programs at a reasonable cost,” Smith said. “That’s what we’ve done in the past.” Sacred Heart School also in Oklahoma City is also planning to put the ADF money toward tuition. a$12003 dollars toward tuitions. “We’re putting the ADF money in the general operating budget of the school to keep tuitions as low as possible,” Principal Joana Camacho said. “We’re extremely fortunate to have an archbishop who not only vocally supports Catholic schools but also supports them financially.” Sacred Heart received $12,003. Father Lawrence Stasyszen, President of Saint Gregory’s University agrees. “The Archbishop generously gives Saint Gregory’s University 20 percent of funds not based on enrollment, or $100,000 because he feels Saint Gregory’s benefits all Catholic students in one institution. Our students come from Oklahoma, various states and other countries,” Fr. Lawrence said. “The ADF funds are used in general support of the university, to offset scholarships, ministry programs and the general operations of our university.” James Bleecker, principal of Saint James School in Oklahoma City, said that his school had already used the $14,085 toward remodeling the media center and computer lab. “We used the money to offset the expense which was between $40,000 and $50,000,” Bleeker said. “We really appreciate this money. It helps a small school to do things we otherwise wouldn’t be able to do. It’s a gift from God.” |
