Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ!
I’m so glad to share with you today the life-giving message of a Catholic school education. As I visit our ten Catholic schools throughout the year, it is a great blessing to see each child’s love for learning and the way that they live out the faith with joyful enthusiasm.
This weekend at Mass we have an opportunity to support families across East Tennessee by making a gift to the Catholic Schools Tuition Support Collection. This important collection helps to ensure that a Catholic education is within every family’s reach.
While there are many ways we seek support for our schools, no one way fully meets the growing need each year. The need for supplemental tuition support has doubled over the past 5 years. A record $4.2 million dollars in tuition support was given to families this past year. This is why we need your help today.
If, like me, you have benefited from a Catholic education yourself, pay it forward. Even if you do not have a Catholic school in your area, remember that we are all one family, sharing our blessings with so many families in need. Please join me in giving generously.
Each dollar you offer today will help a family to give their child the priceless gift of a Catholic Education. As a former Catholic school student myself, I can’t think of a more important investment in our future.
May God bless you,
Most Reverend Richard F. Stika
Bishop of Knoxville
