A senior citizen couple approached the Priory over the summer.  They told us how much their Catholic education had meant to them and how it had positively influenced their lives.  This feeling is voiced by all age groups and the perceived value of a faith based education is illustrated by the sacrifices families make in order to continue the tradition.  Parents realize it has served them well and they want their children to have the benefit of a strong foundation rooted in Christian values.

Our visitors were not particularly wealthy, but they wished to show their appreciation by contributing to the tuition assistance fund at SHF.  Their tax-deductible donation was added to the amount that our Parish sets aside to help families requiring financial aid.  The ‘need’ is determined privately by an objective third party that evaluates a family’s expenses and incomes; then compares all families who have made a request for assistance.  Our funds are thus awarded based on relative need.  This year, 18 families benefit from the generosity of the Parish community and anonymous donors.  Others are helped on an ‘as needed’ basis when an illness, job loss, or other mishap temporarily causes an inability to pay.

The below graph illustrates how tuition costs have risen over the past 20 years.  A grandparent recalls that the cost in 1985 was $25 per week per family.  Tuition for a single child is $3,834 for the current school year.  To minimize parents’ costs, the Parish subsidizes over 30% of the school’s budget and we also manage a variety of fundraising events.  For more information, please call the Priory Office at 314-638-3938.