Enriching and preserving the gift of Catholic education through the Faith in Education Endowment was presented to 30 North Alabama parishioners at a March 27 luncheon hosted by Pandora and Tom Economy and Carol and Frank Chapuran. Tom Economy is chair of the Diocesan Advisory Council for Catholic Education, and Frank Chapuran is a two-term member of the council.

Special guests and speakers included Bishop Raica; Margaret Dubose, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Birmingham; Father Daniel Sessions, parochial vicar at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Huntsville; Sherry Lewis, principal of St. John the Baptist Catholic School; and Courtney Magee, principal of St. Joseph Catholic School.

Sharing the future of Catholic education in the diocese

Established in 2022, Faith in Education seeks to make the life-changing opportunity of Catholic education more available, accessible, and affordable in diocesan schools, especially in a changing cultural and economic future. Dubose said, “Our Catholic schools have been a gift to the Diocese of Birmingham for years and play an integral role in the propagation of our Catholic faith. As the operational landscape of Catholic education continually changes over time, we must think differently about ways to ensure our schools continue to thrive for many more years.” Dubose urged a diocesan-wide sense of shared ownership for schools as parish/tuition funding and operational costs continue to evolve. 

Long-term growth and grants to schools

Currently, Faith in Education consists of two parts: a long-term growth endowment and short-term accessible funds to provide schools opportunities for annual grants. Fourteen grants have been awarded in the first two years in instructional and facilities areas. Guest speakers cited examples. Lewis explained that the grant for St. John the Baptist School funded a 3D printer that has helped the students grow in STEM learning. Magee explained that the grant for St. Joseph School funded hands-on activities to improve the science curriculum.

The gift of Catholic schools

Each speaker recounted the inestimable gift of Catholic education and emphasized the importance of sustaining that gift for the future. Bishop Raica spoke of his love for Catholic schools and his appreciation for what is being done on the diocesan level for Catholic education under Dubose’s leadership, including preparing excellent future Catholic leaders. Father Sessions, a graduate of John Carroll Catholic High School, said the influence of his early Catholic education inspired and continues to inspire his life’s vocation today. Tom Economy recounted the lifelong inspiration of Catholic schools, and Frank Chapuran underscored his experience in seeing the positive results of the grants while visiting several schools.

For further information or to donate to the Faith in Education Endowment, visit bhmdiocese.org/faith-in-education-endowment.