Catholic Schools Talent
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
spring 2014 Celebrating 25 Years of Changing Lives I have a dream… We are able to celebrate the I see hundreds of families, and individuals with success of the program due to “ the generosity of you our loyal incomes which allow them to support comfortably, supporters and a dedicated group of volunteers, some of whom are no or even sacrificially, one, two or more students in our longer with us but provided us with Catholic schools.” ~ Bishop Timothy Harrington, 1989 their talents, treasure and guidance. This year our annual recognition former superintendent of Catholic dinner will continue to recognize schools and Owen Coogan, former and celebrate the achievements of Diocesan director of development, our scholars and we are honored to they recruited and formed a steering have Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley committee. O.F.M. Cap, Archbishop of Boston as our guest speaker. We are also Mr. O’Brien’s involvement in the honoring retired Auxiliary Bishop program seemed providential. He was George E. Rueger for his lifelong an early pioneer in institutionalizing dedication and commitment to a “vision-driven, value-guided” Catholic schools and education. organizational culture at The Hanover Insurance Company in 1971. Save the date — March 27, 2014 — for our Seventh Annual Recognition Mr. O’Brien saw the Dinner at Mechanics Hall in importance in social Worcester, and continue to help capital and the need provide the opportunity for those in to provide financial need of assistance. Bishop Timothy J. Harrington assistance to those (continued on pg. 2) Thank you! n 1989, the late Bishop Timothy J. I Changing Lives for 25 Years! Harrington stated 1989–2014 Robert R. Pape in an article in the Chairman Catholic Free Press that he had a dream. The dream was that the generosity of committed benefactors would help families demonstrating financial need to send their children to Catholic schools. This dream soon had a name, the Adopt-A-Student program. The program was blessed to have the late William O’Brien as its first chairperson. With assistance from the late Charles McManus, William O’Brien Changing Lives for 25 Years! 1989–2014 who seek a Catholic Steering Committee education grounded in Mr. James A. Andreoli academic excellence and rooted in Gospel Mr. Joseph J. Bafaro values. Mr. Francesco Cesareo, Ph.D. Mr. Martin F. Connors, Jr. Mr. O’Brien’s legacy and vision have Atty. Peter J. Dawson continued through Mr. William Driscoll The William J. O’Brien Mr. John J. Duggan Lecture series Mr. Thomas E. Dunn (williamjobrien.org/ Mr. Timothy M. Griffin lecture-series/) which Mrs. Delma Josephson, Ph.D. has been held at the College of the Holy Adopt-A-Student scholars representing each of the four Diocesan Mr. Robert J. Kenney Cross and provided Catholic schools: St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic High School, Holy Mr. Kristopher Kervick over $80,000 for the Name Central Catholic High School, St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School and St. Peter Central Catholic Elementary School. Hon. Francis J. Larkin Adopt-A-student Ms. Kathryn O’Hearn Loring program. Unfortunately they are not able Mr. Edward P. Madaus to cover all of the requests due to Volunteer Driven Ms. Marie Maher unavailability of funds. Mr. Sean M. McCue Since its inception the program has been coordinated almost entirely Expectations Mrs. Catherine G. O’Brien through the efforts of volunteers who The scholarship is not a handout, but Mr. John D. O’Connell created the program’s bylaws, and an opportunity for children to change Mr. Robert O’Connor eligibility guidelines. their lives. Each recipient must strive Mr. Robert R. Pape Over the years the program has to reach his or her full academic Mr. Richard Riley received support from now retired potential. Their behavior must adhere Mr. Thomas Russell Bishop Daniel P. Reilly, retired to the school’s code of conduct, and Ms. Patricia A. Smith Auxiliary Bishop George E. Rueger every student is expected to become involved in a school activity — a Mr. Brenden Walsh and our current Bishop Robert J. McManus. They have tirelessly school club, student government, Our Mission maintained Bishop Harrington’s annual musical or sporting activity. vision of making a Catholic school They must also commit to giving back Adopt-A-Student provides scholarship education accessible to qualified in their church or community. awards to students whose families students of need. The program also partners with would otherwise be unable to send their the students’ parents or guardians, children to Central Catholic Elementary Scholarships are presented to who must commit to pay a small and Secondary schools in the Diocese students who not only academically of Worcester. Scholarships are qualify but who specifically seek percentage of the tuition and agree to presented to students who are not only an education in the tradition and assist the school in various activities. academically qualified, but specifically environment of Catholic schools, seek an education in the tradition and which uniquely educates them to “You can’t get anywhere without environment of Catholic schools, thus be people of faith and strong moral people helping you and believing providing society with people of faith values. and strong moral values. in you.” The Selection Committee reviews every application to determine ~Erin Sullivan, M.D., those in need and most qualified. Adopt-A-Student scholar 2 • Adopt-A-Student | spring 2014 Program Growth “I don’t know how else I could oth- Changing Lives for 25 Years! During the first year, 16 students erwise be at Holy Name. [Adopt-A- 1989–2014 received $23,000 in scholarships. The Student] provides another incentive groundwork for growth was in place. to do well.” A Parent’s Gratitude Since 1989, over 1,100 Adopt-A- The impact the Adopt-A-Student has Student scholarships have been ~Tom Brennan, on students extends to their families. awarded to over 600 students totaling Adopt-A-Student scholar Recently, we received the following more than $3.2 million. Program email from a very proud and grateful alumni have been accepted at and spring (March 27, 2014 see pages mother: are attending or have graduated 7 and 8 for details). The program from colleges and universities such has been blessed over the years by Hi Mr Pape, as Anna Maria, Assumption, Boston strong and talented volunteers who I can not believe how the years College, Clark, Cornell, Holy Cross, work on the Development, Selection, have passed! It seems just like Princeton, Seton Hall, University of Liaison, Dinner, Golf and Talent Show yesterday Kourtney was applying Massachusetts, University of New committees. for the Adopt-A-Student Program. Hampshire, and many others. We are grateful to Assumption I want to catch up with you on Once a student is accepted, the College, Anna Maria College, the Kourtney. Liaison Committee meets with each College of the Holy Cross and many She applied for Boston Teachers student after each marking period local businesses and individual Residency (BTR) program in to ensure they are working up to sponsors who support these events. Boston and was accepted. It is their ability, adhering to the school’s (See page 5 for more on our college a program for her to become code of conduct and are involved in collaboration.) a teacher through the Boston extracurricular and service activities Public Schools. She is currently so that the scholarship can be Lunch and Learn teaching in Roxbury at the Dudley maintained until they graduate. Regular lunches held at St. Peter Street Charter School. It is a Central Catholic Elementary School neighborhood school. It just opened “I am very grateful to the Adopt- was the very first event that was held this year. They only have grades to promote an understanding of the K-3. Next year they are going to A-Student Program. I have enjoyed Adopt-A-Student program. Members add more grades. It is a tough my experience at St. Bernard’s of the steering committee invited neighborhood, but, Kourtney loves and without this program it just friends or business associates to a giving back. She is so happy! I wouldn’t have been possible.” luncheon. A brief explanation of the found a safe place for her to live in program was provided along with a Dorchester. Her dream is coming ~Jamie Vinal, tour of the school led by students. true to teach. Adopt-A-Student scholar Once people heard the message of I am so blessed as are my children what their support could accomplish, to have the Adopt-A-Student Sustaining the Mission visited the classrooms and met the Program in our lives. If it wasn’t for students, many offered their support this program I don’t know where Adopt-A-Student scholarships have either by financially or volunteering or my children would be in their lives. been funded entirely through direct both. I thank you and your committee for donations, interest from growing being by my side by helping me endowment funds and proceeds from Because of their success, these able to afford Catholic Education for fundraising events. lunches continue today. If you are interested in seeing the program in my children. Over the years, those events have action, please attend one. To set up Thank you, varied from small events to two major a visit please contact Bob Pape at annual fundraisers; a golf tournament Kathy [email protected] or 508-523-3542. held in August (August 25, 2014) and our recognition dinner in the Adopt-A-Student | spring 2014 • 3 Changing Lives for 25 Years! 1989–2014 A Former Scholar Pays Despite Our Success, We Face Challenges It Forward All the planning and dreaming of what could be is Brenden Walsh was an “Adopt-A-Student Scholar” meaningless without you.