Are We A Parish School?

We have recently been going through the process of testing new applicants for the school and meeting with each family. Probably the number one point I have been making with these new families is the importance of being not just an active school family, but active parishioners as well.

Many years ago, Catholic schools were parish schools, with the population of the school being made up parishioners. More and more, we are seeing Catholic schools become commuter schools, with the population coming from outside the parish boundaries. The result is we have very active school families, and very active parish families, but not as much interaction between the two as in the past. Ultimately, some activities are viewed as "parish" events and others as "school" events. This is not a good situation for either entity.

Holy Angels exists because sixty years ago, a group of dedicated parishioners worked to raise the funds necessary to build the school. We are all reaping the benefits of their labor. It is our responsiblity to continue this tradition for the next generation of Holy Angels students and parishioners The school is a ministry of the parish, supported by the parish and should be comprised of parishioners who are active beyond the $400 criteria used to define an "active" parishioner.

Catholic schools provide a great environmnet for children to grow, academically and morally. Catholic schools will only remain strong if they remain connected to, and involved with, the parish that they are an outgrowth of. It is the responsibility of every parent at Holy Angels who receives a lowered tuition because of their "active" status to truly be active parishioners and strenghten the bonds between the church and school in order to ensure a strong, vibrant and relevant school for the future generations.