The Faith in Education Endowment is a financial and spiritual commitment to help the Diocese of Birmingham Catholic Schools advance the mission of Catholic education for years to come. Faith in Education funds can assist schools from the diocesan level to address priority needs or to further programming in areas that may be outside the established school budget or that occur due to an unplanned need.

Currently, this advancement is achieved through grant awards to individual schools with an application process that occurs during the summer. The Faith in Education Grant Review Committee consisting of the Superintendent of Schools, the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Development and Stewardship, and representation from clergy and from the Diocesan Advisory Council for Catholic Education reviews the applications, and using a rubric, makes the award decisions.

The first-ever Faith in Education grant awards were made on Sept. 15 at the annual Catholic Schools Office Formation Day. Margaret Dubose, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Birmingham, presented five diocesan schools an award.

The first school to receive grant funds was St. Ann Catholic School in Decatur. Brandi Lumley, principal, submitted a grant request for supplies for an outdoor garden and classroom. With integrated instruction occurring through science, technology, math, history, and religion classwork and connecting the school to several community groups, St. Ann students from PreK through 8th grade will take on shared responsibility and specific tasks to grow produce to feed families and to donate to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The next school, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School, received the grant award after Principal Andy Rothery requested funding to assist with the purchase of curriculum components for Open Light Media’s Education in Virtue Program. In keeping with the Diocesan Strategic Plan for Catholic Education goal to expand virtue instruction in each school and to address instructional needs highlighted through the school’s Assessment of Religious Knowledge data, Our Lady of the Valley will embark on the three-year cycle of Education in Virtue implementation, infusing a deeper understanding of a virtuous life throughout all instruction and extracurricular activities.

St. James Catholic School was the next to receive the award. Principal John Parker’s request addresses safety improvements throughout the St. James campus. Enhanced locking mechanisms on internal and external school doors will allow for greater peace and security for all St. James staff, students, and families and will work to advance the happy, healthy school environment provided by St. James.

The fourth school to receive the award was John Carroll Catholic High School. The grant funding will allow for the purchase of Lego Education Spike Prime curriculum packs to bolster the school’s lab-based robotics course. Through this hands-on approach, John Carroll students will work to construct and program autonomous mobile robots and will have the opportunity to compete in the National BEST Robotics Competition.

Last, but not least, to receive the award money was St. John Paul II Catholic High School. The request, submitted by Headmaster Dr. Jeremiah Russell, requests funding for the purchase of essential safety and security upgrades throughout the campus. The results of a comprehensive security and facility review this summer identified needs on the campus to enhance the school’s security for all students and staff, particularly during emergency situations and drills.

To support our schools through contribution to the Faith in Education endowment, please visit https://bhmdiocese.org/faith-in-education-endowment.