Back to School Guide 2019

August 16, 2019

A S P EC I A L E D I T I O N O F T H E C AT H O L I C N E W S H E R A L D

WELCOME

GROWING

New principals named for St. Michael School sees St. Mark, Immaculata significant renovation schools over the summer

TUITION HELP

ALSO INSIDE

Details on applying for financial aid

Upcoming open houses, Campus Ministry locations and more

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 16, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOL

St. Michael School sees significant renovation over the summer SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

About the cover Students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point give a big thumbs-up on their first day back to class in August 2018. (Photo courtesy of Immaculate Heart of Mary School Facebook page)

GASTONIA — It has been a hectic summer at St. Michael School as the building has been undergoing significant renovations for nearly three months in an effort to complete as much as possible before school starts Aug. 21.

“From the beginning, the goal of completing the major scope of work over the short period of one summer has been very ambitious,” said diocesan construction manager Emmett Sapp. “We are grateful to Southside Constructors, our general contractor, who was undeterred by the challenge and is going above and beyond the call of duty to get the school ready.”

Projects at the 77-year-old school include: renovation of the existing library to create a new state-of-the-art STEM Lab and Maker Space; renovation of the existing science lab to expand capabilities for hands-on learning and experimentation; renovation of the current technology infrastructure; a new special education classroom; restoration of the elementary school restrooms; new roof; and new rooftop HVAC equipment.

“This is a hectic but exciting and energetic summer,” said Principal Sheila Levesque.

“You can see the transformation of the facility and we are looking forward to the new instructional programs that we will be offering our students.”

Sapp noted that when school reopens there will be items still requiring finishing touches, but most of the work will be complete and students will be walking into a fresh and exciting new look throughout the building.

The $1.6 million renovation was funded through a combination of a $990,000 gift, a $500,000 grant from the diocese’s “Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign, and another $110,000 expected to be raised through school fundraisers. The $990,000 gift comes from Shea Homes, a new home construction company in the Charlotte area. John Shea, a parishioner of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, said his family “believes in the education and values taught by the dedicated teachers at Catholic schools.”

The school plans to show off the renovations during Family Fun Day on Oct. 19, and during open houses on Oct. 20 and Oct. 21.

St. Michael School in Gastonia went through a $1.6 million renovation over the summer months. The project is expected to be fully completed early this fall.

Father Lucas Rossi, pastor of St. Michael Church, said, “Each week I have made several visits to the school and have seen tremendous progress. The project has been immense and I know that God is guiding this work. I am very excited to bless our completely transformed school! Go Tigers!”

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DIOCESAN PROPERTIES OFFICE

Two new principals join diocesan schools KIMBERLY BENDER ONLINE REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Meet two new principals who are taking the helm at two Catholic schools in the diocese this school year:

ST. MARK SCHOOL, HUNTERSVILLE

Julie Thornley has been named principal at St. Mark School in Huntersville after working for Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools for more than a decade at St. Ann School as a counselor and St. Patrick School as assistant principal.

Thornley, a member of St. Mark Church, has a degree in social work from George Beale Mason University, with a minor in music education and a master’s degree in school counseling from North Carolina State University. She has a post-master’s certificate in school administration from UNC-Charlotte and was part of the Aspiring Principals program.

Thornley has worked as a behavioral therapist with Thornley at-risk youth involved with the juvenile justice system in alternative settings as well as a school counselor in public schools. She has also taught piano lessons for more than 35 years.

“It’s very exciting to be not only principal, but to be principal of a K-8 population,” Thornley said. “I started my education at a St. Mark School in Indianapolis and it’s neat that I’ve

landed at another St. Mark School as principal.”

She said she’d like to see St. Mark School and parish become more closely connected, with more parishioners involved in the school and more students engaged in parish activities.

“My educational philosophy is rooted in my Catholic faith,” Thornley wrote in a letter introducing herself to the school community.

“I believe that all learners possess strengths and gifts given to them by our Lord. With that belief, it is the duty of every educator to ensure that all students are given every opportunity to grow spiritually, academically, socially and emotionally.”

She stressed that she wants to put an emphasis on the students being united in the goal of being Jesus to others.

“Our priority is to grow spiritually as a community,” she said.

St. Mark School has more than 700 kindergarten through eighth-grade students.

IMMACULATA SCHOOL, HENDERSONVILLE

Margaret Beale has been named the new principal of Immaculata School in Hendersonville, succeeding Meredith Canning.

Beale has taught middle school social studies, language arts and religion at Asheville Catholic School for eight years. She holds a Master of Education in instruction and curriculum and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Beale was an integral part of taking a struggling school and helping to transform it into a growing and vibrant Catholic institution, according to an announcement from Father Christian Cook, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church and Immaculata School in Hendersonville.

The principal search committee was impressed with Beale’s accomplishments and her positive and uplifting attitude, Father Cook said.

While at Asheville Catholic, Beale started an organization for girls that sought to instill leadership skills and reinforce Catholic values.

Beale has focused her career on promoting and maintaining positive, constructive relationships with parents, teachers, alumni and her principal to help build a strong community. She said she will be focused on doing the same at Immaculata School. She said she has high expectations, which requires her to be firm in her expectations of students, and of her teachers and school staff.

She aims to guide students towards those high goals through encouragement and love, she noted.

“We welcome Ms. Beale’s enthusiasm and drive to Immaculata Catholic School, and to our parish,” Father Cook said in his announcement.

“It is a time to be excited about the future of Immaculata, under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the guidance of God, in His Holy Spirit.

“Being the principal at Immaculata is a vocational call to Beale, and she placed God at the center of her discernment to accept this position.”

Beale said she loves to be involved in every facet of Catholic school life, regularly attending athletic events, musicals and academic competitions and cheering her students on. Fostering these positive and supportive relationships with stakeholders will be a primary focus for her, she said, as she seeks to bring an energy and enthusiasm to build up and grow the school.

Opened in 1926, Immaculata School had more than 140 students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade last school year.

Our principals Margaret Beale, Immaculata School Gary Callus, St. Leo School Christopher Kloesz, St. Pius X School Tyler Kulp, Sacred Heart School Sheila Levesque, St. Michael School Kathy McKinney, St. Ann School Michael Miller, Asheville Catholic School Kevin O’Herron, St. Matthew School Kevin Parks, Holy Trinity Middle School Allana-Rae Ramkissoon, Our Lady of the Assumption School Greg Roberts, Immaculate Heart of Mary School Sister Geri Rogers, S.S.J., Our Lady of Mercy School Catherine Rusch, Our Lady of Grace School Dr. Carl Semmler, Christ the King High School Tracy A. Shaw, Bishop McGuinness High School Michele Snoke, St. Gabriel School Kurt Telford, Charlotte Catholic High School Julie Thornley, St. Mark School Amy Tobergte, St. Patrick School

August 16, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOLI

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Christ the King High School moves closer to gym expansion project Father John Putnam

Catholic education: Helping children entrusted to us attain heaven

T

oday the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, a saint better known by her worldly name, Edith Stein.

She was a renowned philosopher of the last century as well as an avowed atheist who, though culturally born Jewish, found her way into the bosom of the Catholic Church, and eventually, into a cloistered Carmelite monastery. She died in the gas chambers at Auschwitz on Aug. 9, 1942. For some of you, the question might arise: “What does this saint’s life have to do with me teaching in a Catholic school?”

I would suggest that it actually has a great deal to do with it. Edith Stein found Christ by seeking the truth. Her thirst for truth allowed her to be open to wherever that search led her. She was a teacher who desired to seek and find. That desire led her to the Truth himself, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Catholic education, as an arm of the Church’s evangelizing mission, is also concerned with seeking truth, the truth about who God is, and the truth about who we are. As such, Catholic education has the mandate from Christ of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations (Mt. 28:20), and each one of you is tasked with participating in that mandate.

The Church teaches that parents are the first educators of their children. This is affirmed in the baptismal rite and is reaffirmed time and again throughout Church teaching. At the same time, we know that most parents share their educational responsibility with others, especially educators. Catholic parents have the responsibility of handing on the faith to their children and, in a very particular way, the Catholic school has the responsibility of aiding parents in this task.

It is for this reason that the Church considers the school as an extension of the home. We are called, therefore, to offer assistance to parents in helping them fulfill their primary obligation and even remind them when necessary of the awesome responsibility entrusted to them by the Creator.

For those who have not previously served in a Catholic school, I think it is helpful to have a clear understanding of what the Church asks of you as educators. The Church considers the role of teacher in her schools as a ministerial one.

First, what is the Church’s understanding of a Catholic school? The Holy See answers this question in the following way: a Catholic school should be inspired by a supernatural vision, founded on Christian anthropology, animated by communion and community, imbued with a Catholic worldview throughout its curriculum, and sustained by Gospel witness.

It is for this reason that the most important task for a Catholic school is to maintain and continually strengthen its Catholic identity. This task is far more than offering a few prayers during the day and offering the celebration of Mass on occasion. While these things are good and necessary, they can often become Catholic window dressing for an otherwise secular culture. Our ultimate goal as Catholic educators is to help, as the Baltimore Catechism pointed out, the children entrusted to our care to love and serve the Lord in this life so that they can live with Him forever in heaven.

Our treasure is not in this life, but in the life to come. This explains what is meant by a Catholic school having a supernatural vision.

When discussing the importance of a Christian anthropology, the Church’s magisterium affirms time and again that the philosophy that guides Catholic education must be built on a correct understanding of who the human person is.

A Catholic school does not exist as simply a factory of learning to create the future titans of industry. Our task is not simply to prepare our students for college – although, this is certainly a noble endeavor.

Our primary task is to help our students get to heaven. Your task then as an educator in the Catholic school is, first and foremost, to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and give witness to His presence in your life. Christ is the teacher in the Catholic school par excellence. Christ has to be lived in the religion class and the science lab; at the cheerleading practice and on the football field; in the English literature class and in advanced calculus.

When I am celebrating infant baptism, I often remind the parents and godparents that they have been entrusted with a saint. Whether the little one grows into the saint that God created him or her to be depends on the adults in his or her life and the witness that the child is given as he or she grows and develops. As you begin teaching in our Catholic schools, you too are being entrusted with saints (even on days when they don’t act like it). I pray that your own holiness will be a shining witness to all of your students and that when they see you, they will be able to see the face of the Lord Himself. God bless you!

FATHER JOHN PUTNAM is pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville. This is adapted from a homily he gave for new diocesan school teachers at an Aug. 9 Mass in the St. Mark School Chapel in Huntersville. It is based on the work by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, “The Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools” (Manchester, NH: Sophia Press, 2006).

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

HUNTERSVILLE — Since exceeding a $500,000 challenge match in June, Christ the King High School has continued to get closer to its initial capital campaign goal of $3.5 million. To date, the “Grounded in Faith – Building our Future” campaign to build a new Athletic and Activity Complex has received $3.28 million in gifts and pledges, including a $1 million lead gift and a $500,000 challenge match from a Christ the King family, George and Pattie Fulford of Huntersville.

When the first fundraising campaign goal of $3.5 million is reached, the school will move ahead with expanding its gymnasium to include a fullsized court and two cross courts, plus increasing seating from 120 to 690 spectators. Also included are men’s and women’s locker rooms for home and visiting

teams, coaches and trainer offices, space for a fitness center and a new main entrance from the school lobby into the gymnasium, which will also serve as an awards gallery.

“Apparently there are no ‘dog days of summer’ here at Christ the King,” said Principal Dr. Carl Semmler. “We are entering August with almost $3.3 million pledged towards our new Athletic and Activity Complex. We are well within sight of our level one goal. I am confident that the ‘back to school’ excitement will bring us to our $4.5 million level two goal. This will enable us to build the stage area, with all of the accompanying audio/visual, along with our athletic areas.”

Once the first two levels are

achieved, then the campaign moves on to its final level three goal of $5.5 million.

Semmler said he “keeps on thinking about the summer day when the Fulfords came to see the current gym and learn about the designs for the new complex. The Fulfords are the visionaries who built the current gym. They were so elated to see how much the school has grown and were in full support of expanding the current Fulford Athletic Building.”

— Christ the King High School contributed.

CCHS capital campaign nears halfway mark CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic High School is nearing the halfway mark of its “Expanding the Vision, Honoring the Tradition” capital campaign. The public phase of this capital campaign launched last April to build a new Fine Arts Center at the high school for all students in the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system to use.

“As we begin a new school year, we are thrilled to report that we have raised nearly $4 million of our $8 million goal,” said Principal Kurt Telford.

“Our extended CCHS family is truly rolling up its sleeves and coming together to expand our school and provide the Fine Arts Center we’ve dreamed of since we moved to this campus in 1994.”

“It has been exciting and

humbling to meet with so many people who want to be a part of this exciting time for Charlotte Catholic and our Catholic schools,” said Sally McArdle, the high school’s advancement director. The CCHS community is raising $8 million toward the $23 million project, with the other $15 million committed through the existing capital fees paid by all families in the MACS system.

The CCHS expansion will include a new, state-of-the-art building for the visual and performing arts program and a renovation of existing spaces to create updated athletic facilities and classrooms for teachers who currently do not have them.

Construction is planned to start in fall of 2020.

“The new MACS Fine Arts Center will serve not only as a

place for learning and growth for our high school students, but also as a place for educational programs and performances for all MACS students,” Telford said. “We are excited about this next chapter in our history, and are so grateful to the families and alumni who have already made their contributions and pledges. Our hope is that the entire community will join us in completing our fundraising effort and celebrate the groundbreaking with us very soon.”

— Carolyn Tillman

Learn more To learn more about the MACS Fine Arts Center and the “Expanding the Vision, Honoring the Tradition” capital campaign, go to the campaign website at www. playingyourpart.org.

Asheville Catholic School sees updates over summer ASHEVILLE — Students at Asheville Catholic School will notice new flooring when they return to school this month. All classrooms in pre-kindergarten through third grade have new flooring, as well as the hallways, offices and meeting spaces.

“We’ve got our new flooring installed, and it looks amazing!” said Principal Mike Miller.

Other enhancements to the school over the summer include the installation of security cameras around the perimeter of the building. The cameras were installed to update security measures at the school,

allowing officials to monitor and record activity using the latest technology.

“This is part of our work to enhance the safety of our school,” Miller explained.

Asheville Catholic School will kick off a capital campaign this fall to raise funds to make major renovations to the school that include a 12,000-square-foot addition to the existing building.

Organizers hope to celebrate a groundbreaking for the new wing in the spring.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 16, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOL

Our Catholic schools at a glance PAGES 4-7: Basic facts to help you in considering a Catholic education for your children

How do I apply?

Within the Charlotte area, there are many schools to choose from, which may make choosing the right school a confusing process for parents. After choosing a school, the application process itself might bring rise to an entirely new batch of problems.

For this reason, the Catholic News Herald has created a guide to help families navigate the application process for the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system (MACS):

Step 1:

Take a Tour

KATHERINE MCCARTHY INTERN

By the numbers 99 percent of graduates of Bishop McGuinness, Charlotte Catholic and Christ the King high schools continue on to higher education.

Scholarships awarded last year: Bishop McGuinness: $7,083,752 Charlotte Catholic: $19,633,500 Christ the King: $5,282,541

Did you know?

The Diocese of Charlotte Schools welcome students of all backgrounds, even as most of their students are Catholic and the school system strives to inculcate the beliefs and values of the Catholic Church.

Catholic: 89.9% Non-Catholic: 10.1% Boys: 51.2% Girls: 48.8% Asian: 4.67% Black: 2.9% Caucasian: 85.47% Hawaiian-Pacific Islander: 0.31% Multi-race: 4.33% Native American: 0.79% Unknown: 1.53%

P

arents sacrifice a great deal to provide their children with an education.

From driving back and forth, to packing lunches and helping with math homework that seems much more challenging than it should be, at times it may feel as if parents themselves are back attending school.

Add in the cost of tuition and miscellaneous fees, and the dream of providing your child with a Catholic education suddenly appears unattainable. However, there is so much more than simply math homework and book reports tied into the tuition of a Catholic education.

In fact, St. Mark School parent Theresa Lister says the cost of a Catholic education is “well worth it” for the contribution it makes in grounding children in their Catholic faith. She adds that a Catholic education is “the best of all worlds – combining faith, community and education.”

When you send your child to any of the nine Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) or any of the 10 parish-based schools in western North Carolina, you provide your child with a well-rounded Catholic education that works to cultivate their faith, volunteerism and creativity.

What sets a Catholic education apart from anything else? Along with the other 18 principals in the diocesan school system, Tyler Kulp, principal of Sacred Heart School, emphasizes that it is prayer and incorporating the Tyler Kulp Catholic faith into everything Principal, Sacred Heart School done as a school community.

“It is so important that we encompass it with everything. We pray every day – it’s the first thing we do every morning. As a school, we start the day with a daily reading and continue this prayer throughout the day. It is so important to include prayer in everything we do,” Kulp notes.

Along with prayer, students work to serve their communities, living beyond themselves by giving to others and connecting with people who may have lives very different from their own.

As Kulp puts it, “It’s so important for our kids to go out and serve our community. They come back on fire from seeing that they were doing something good.”

When you provide your child with a Catholic education, you start them on the right path to being active members in their community.

In a world deprived of compassion, our Catholic schools cultivate talented, compassionate and successful members of society.

Kulp adds, “What we strive for is getting kids on the path of salvation.”

All three of the diocese’s high schools have a college counseling department and counselors who guide students through the college search, application and financial aid processes. Last year, graduates from the three high schools received a combined $32 million in college scholarships and grants.

Students have committed to play a variety of collegiate sports, including football, swimming, tennis and soccer, at different universities across the country.

Connor Malloy, a 2017 Christ the King graduate, notes, “My Catholic education gave me the tools to tackle a college education through a good building of character, a great work ethic, and a desire to do more than just the bare minimum.”

Malloy adds, “If approaching a Catholic education the right way, you will benefit in not just academics but more than you can imagine.”

‘What we strive for is getting kids on the path of salvation.’

Step 2:

Complete Application Form

Step 3:

Pay Application Fee

Step 4: Complete Checklist Items

• Though not a required step, it is recommended to take a tour before officially applying to a school.

• Tours are typically done by the principal of the school.

• It is a great way to ask specific questions about curriculum and what is offered.

• The new online system for applying allows you to start at either a specific school’s website or at discoverMACS.org.

• Just click the big green button, labeled “Apply Now.” • Applicants are encouraged to call anytime throughout the application process with questions.

• Pay by mail or credit card.

• This fee is waived only for returning students.

• Along with the application, applicants must submit a birth certificate and proof of a physical exam and immunization records.

• Additionally, families that wish to qualify for participating Catholic tuition rates must submit a baptismal certificate, as well as a completed parish participation voucher.

• Some schools may ask for the student's most recent years of grades and standardized tests.

• MACS high schools require principal and teacher recommendations and transcripts.

All MACS work on rolling admissions until all spots are full. Additionally, each school offers a multiple child discount for participating Catholic families. Families are encouraged to apply as soon as the application opens for the next school year.

Following their motto “Start with Us, Stay with Us,” once a child is accepted into MACS he or she receives automatic acceptance into the next grade level (i.e., fifth graders do not need to re-apply to a MACS middle school, eighth-graders do not need to reapply to a MACS high school).

Questions? Call the MACS office any time in the application process at 704-370-3273.

August 16, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOLI

What is the cost of a Catholic education?

CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL CHRIST THE KING HIGH SCHOOL HOLY TRINITY MIDDLE SCHOOL OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION SCHOOL ST. ANN SCHOOL ST. GABRIEL SCHOOL ST. MARK SCHOOL ST. MATTHEW SCHOOL ST. PATRICK SCHOOL

Does my school offer financial aid?

TUITION FOR MECKLENBURG AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS GRADES

PARTICIPATING CATHOLICS

NON-PARTICIPATING CATHOLICS

$4,147-$6,443 $7,030 $7,790 $11,352

$4,147-$6,443 $11,365 $12,159 $16,232

Pre-kindergarten Kindergarten - Grade 5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12

NOTE: Tuition rates for MAP, PACE and Matthew Morgan programs vary from the above rates. Also, a capital fee of $1,382 is assessed annually to each family to cover new building debt as well as capital repairs and maintenance at all 9 MACS schools.

A multiple-child tuition discount is available for participating Catholic families: 10% for the second child, 25% for the third child, 50% for the fourth child and free for the fifth child and beyond. Go to www.discovermacs.org/tuition for details.

TUITION FOR PARISH-BASED CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

PARTICIPATING CATHOLICS

NON-PARTICIPATING CATHOLICS

$10,105 $8,000 $5,565 contact school $6,024 contact school $6,773 $7,700 $6,035 $6,648

$13,777 $9,800 $7,635 contact school $8,748 contact school $8,034 $12,450 $8,035 $9,696

BISHOP MCGUINNESS HIGH SCHOOL ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL IMMACULATA SCHOOL IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL SACRED HEART SCHOOL ST. LEO SCHOOL ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL ST. PIUS X SCHOOL

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All financial aid requests are processed through a third-party processor, FACTS. Most diocesan parish-based schools provide financial aid through the FACTS processor as well. Receiving financial aid requires an ample amount of documentation, which is verified through the FACTS processor using the information provided by the family.

Families are required to apply every year if they wish to continue receiving financial aid. However, applying for financial aid does not guarantee a family will receive aid.

A family does not have to be registered as a participating Catholic to receive aid. Aid is needbased and can only assist with the cost of tuition.

As soon the application process is complete, families are eligible to receive an award.

Other financial aid options include the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program (up to $4,200 per year), Disabilities Grant Programs (up to $8,000 per student per year), and Education Savings Accounts.

These programs can cover tuition and required fees at a participating non-public school.

Additionally, the Disabilities Grant and Education Savings Account can cover certain other expenses related to educating a child with a disability.

For details about the MACS tuition assistance program, call 704-370-3273 or go online to www. discovermacs.org/financialaid.

The diocesan parish-based schools and Bishop McGuinness High School offer similar need-based tuition assistance to qualified students. Details can be found on each school’s website.

OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

CAPITAL FEE

GRADUATION FEE

TECHNOLOGY FEE

IMPROVEMENT FEE

BISHOP MCGUINNESS HIGH SCHOOL √ √ √ ASHEVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL √ √ √ IMMACULATA SCHOOL √ √ √ IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL OUR LADY OF GRACE SCHOOL √ OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL SACRED HEART SCHOOL √ ST. LEO SCHOOL ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL √ √ ST. PIUS X SCHOOL √

√

DISABILITIES GRANT PROGRAM The Disabilities Grant Program is a program for eligible students with disabilities in kindergarten through 12th grade to provide an option for parents to pay tuition, fees, and some other expenses at a participating school.

This program provides funding of up to $8,000 per year for eligible children who choose to attend a participating non-public school.

√ √ √

EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT

What about miscellaneous costs?

UNIFORMS

LUNCH PROGRAMS

The national average cost of uniforms at Catholic schools in the United States is $249.

Each school provides specific information about their uniforms on their websites. Most options can be purchased through Lands’ End, but some may provide used-uniform sales or swaps throughout the school year.

Additionally, check your local consignment shop for discounted uniform items such as pants and skirts.

Fees vary by school and by order. Some parishbased schools are in the process of adding a hot lunch program, but have not at this time.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS Most parish-based schools provide after school services ranging from $180 to $260 a month with other daily price options, but check with your specific school for details.

TRANSPORTATION Bus routes can be found on the MACS website at https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/7d4cc8_4826af 0c83054331813ec4ae08bb152f.pdf.

Transportation fees for parish-based schools range from $95- to $165 per month, but check with your specific school to confirm. Some schools do not provide a transportation system, but may provide parents with a car-pool list.

MACS TRANSPORTATION FEES REGISTRATION FEE $75

ONE-WAY RIDER TWO-WAY RIDER $1,782 $1,206

The Opportunity Scholarship Program expands school choice in North Carolina through scholarship grants for eligible children in kindergarten through 12th grade.

This program provides funding of up to $4,200 per year for eligible children who choose to attend a participating non-public school.

AFTER SCHOOL FEES REGISTRATION FEE One child:

$60

Each additional child:

FULL-TIME

PART-TIME

$215 per month

$20 daily

$145 per month

$10 daily

An Education Savings Account expands school choice for eligible students with disabilities in Kindergarten through 12th grade.

An Education Savings Account is for students attending a registered non-public school and can be applied to tuition and required fees and certain other expenses related to educating a child with a disability. Additionally, it allows parents quarterly access to funds on a debit card.

This program currently provides funding of up to $9,000 per year for eligible children who choose to attend a participating non-public school.

What are the requirements to receive financial aid?

Eligible applicants must: n Be a resident of North Carolina n Be 5 on or before Aug. 31 of the upcoming school year n Be younger than 22 as of the date the upcoming school year begins n Not have a high school diploma n Apply and enroll to an eligible school n Has not enrolled in a postsecondary institution (college or university) as a full-time student taking at least 12 credit hours Each program has specific additional requirements for eligibility.

For details, go to www.ncseaa.edu/K-12Grants.htm.

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iiiAugust 16, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com

CATHOLIC NEWS HER

Our Cathol

The Diocese of Charlotte School System is comprise Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS), diocesan p

Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools Mission Statement The Mission of the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Charlotte is to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel and to provide a religious and academic program that allows each student to develop spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially, so that each is prepared to live and serve in a changing society as a self-respecting and responsible citizen.

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103; 336-722-7204 www.ourladyofmercyschool.org Sister Geri Rogers, SSJ, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 183 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 for PK, 15:1 for K-8

St. Leo Catholic School

St. Pius X Catho

333 Springdale Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27104; 336-748-8252 www.stleocatholic.com Gary Callus, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 232 Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Upcoming open houses: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Wednesdays, Oct. 16, Jan. 15, March 18, April 8, May 14

2200 North Elm St., 27408; 336-273-986 www.spxschool.com Christopher Kloesz, Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 450 Student-teacher rati Upcoming open hous a.m. Wednesday, Nov 9:30-11 a.m. Wednesd

Diocesan Parish-based Schools This includes 9 schools serving kindergarten through eighth grade and, in some instances, preschool. While each school is part of the Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools, they are directly tied to, and administered by, a corresponding parish. For admissions details, contact the individual school.

Sacre

385 Lu 704-63 www.sa Tyler K Grades Enrollm Studen

5 essential marks of a Catholic school 1. Inspired by a supernatural vision

Asheville Catholic School 12 Culvern St., Asheville, NC 28804; 828-252-7896 www.ashevillecatholic.org Michael Miller, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 185-200 Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Upcoming open house: 9-11 a.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 2

2. Founded on Christian anthropology 3. Animated by communion and community 4. Imbued with a Catholic worldview throughout its curriculum 5. Sustained by Gospel witness — From: “The Holy See’s Teaching On Catholic Schools,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller, C.S.B.

Immaculata Catholic School 711 N. Buncombe St., Hendersonville, NC 28791; 828-693-3277 www.immac.org Margaret Beale, principal Grades: PK (ages 3-4), K-8 Enrollment: 143 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1

NOTE: ENROLLMENT NUMBERS ARE FOR THE PRIOR ACADEMIC YEAR OR AS REPORTED BY THE SCHOOL. SOURCES INCLUDE THE EDUCATION VICARIATE’S WEBSITE AT WWW.CHARLOTTEDIOCESE.ORG, DIOCESAN SCHOOLS STAFF, AND THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL WEBSITES. PHOTOS PROVIDED

St. Michael Catholic School 704 St. Michael’s Lane, Gastonia, NC 28052; 704-865-4382 www.stmichaelcs.com Sheila Levesque, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 148 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 for K-5, 18:1 for 6-8 Upcoming open houses: Sunday, Oct. 20, Monday, Oct. 21

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August 16, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.comiii

lic Schools

Leadership The diocesan school system is overseen by Vicar of Education Father Roger K. Arnsparger and led by Debbie Mixer, interim superintendent of schools.

Lay leadership is provided by an appointed diocesan school board comprised of parents, teachers and principals. MACS also has its own appointed school board.

Learn more online at www. charlottediocese.org/schools-office.

ed of 19 schools operating in three separate formats: parish-based schools and a diocesan-based high school.

olic School

, Greensboro, NC 865 principal

io: 15:1 ses: PK-1: 9:30-11 v. 6; all ages: day, Jan. 29

Diocesan High School

Our Lady of Grace Catholic School 201 South Chapman St., Greensboro, NC 27403; 336-275-1522 www.olgsch.org Catherine Rusch, principal Grades: PK3-8 Enrollment: 243 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 for PK, 11:1 for K-8

Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville serves the Triad area of North Carolina.

Bishop McGuinness High School

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School 4145 Johnson St., High Point, NC 27265; 336-887-2613 www.ihm-school.com Greg Roberts, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 198 Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 for PK, 14:1 for K-5, 10:1 for 6-8

ed Heart Catholic School

umen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147; 33-2841 alisburycatholicschool.org Kulp, principal s: K-8 ment: 185 nt-teacher ratio: 10:1

1725 N.C. Hwy. 66 South, Kernersville, NC 27284; 336-564-1010 www.bmhs.us Tracy A. Shaw, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 375 Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Upcoming open houses: Thursday, Oct. 3, Wednesday, Nov. 6

All of the diocese’s 19 schools are fully accredited by AdvancEd, the largest community of preK-12 education professionals in the world, serving more than 36,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in more than 70 countries that educate more than 20 million students.

AdvancEd provides accreditation and continuous improvement resources to preK-12 institutions, and conducts rigorous, on-site external reviews of preK-12 institutions to ensure continuous improvement.

Admissions, tuition

Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) A centralized, regional system of schools in the Charlotte area that includes 9 schools (2 high schools, a middle school, 4 elementary schools, some with PK and TK, and 2 K-8 schools). Tuition for participating Catholics ranges from $4,147 for half-day PK to $11,352 for high school. For details, go online to www.discovermacs.org.

Christ the King Catholic High School

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School

2011 Crusader Way, Huntersville, NC 28078; 704-799-4400 www.ctkchs.org Dr. Carl Semmler, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 309 Student-teacher ratio: 8:1

4225 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215; 704-531-0067 www.olacatholic.org Allana-Rae Ramkissoon, principal Grades: PK-8 Enrollment: 145 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1

Charlotte Catholic High School

St. Ann Catholic School

7702 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226; 704-543-1127 www.gocchs.com Kurt Telford, principal Grades: 9-12 Enrollment: 1,240 Student-teacher ratio: 15:1

600 Hillside Ave., Charlotte, NC 28209; 704-525-4938 www.stanncatholic.org Kathy McKinney, principal Grades: PK, TK and K-5 Enrollment: 186 Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School

St. Gabriel Catholic School

3100 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209; 704-527-7822 www.htcms.org Kevin Parks, principal Grades: 6-8 Enrollment: 815 Student-teacher ratio: 13:1

3028 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211; 704-366-2409 www.stgabrielcatholicschool.org Michele Snoke, principal Grades: K-5 Enrollment: 573

1125 Buchanan St., Charlotte, NC 28203; 704-333-3174 www.saintpatrickschool.org Amy Tobergte, principal Grades: K-5 Enrollment: 219 Student-teacher ratio: 10:1

St. Mark Catholic School

Prospective families can take a tour of the school campus, watch fine arts performances, hear students speak about

their experiences, meet with teachers, and schedule a shadow day (for the middle and high schools only).

14750 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, NC 28078; 704-766-­5000 www.stmarkcatholicschool.net Julie Thornley, principal Grades: K-8 Enrollment: 717 Student-teacher ratio: 18:1

St. Matthew Catholic School 11525 Elm Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277; 704-544-2070 www.stmattwildcats.com Kevin O’Herron, principal Grades: TK-5 Enrollment: 530 Student-teacher ratio: 11:1

St. Patrick Catholic School

Open houses MACS will hold an open house at all nine schools for prospective parents at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Accreditation

The admissions process begins with early admissions in January and general admissions in March, continuing as space is available.

Tuition rates and fees vary by school and by grade, with diocesan parishbased schools setting their own tuition rates and MACS schools having a uniform set of rates. MACS tuition rates for the 2019-’20 year are posted online at www.discovermacs.org/tuition.

All of the schools offer some sort of tuition discount or subsidy for registered participating Catholic families, up to 30 percent in some cases. Generally speaking, tuition amounts range from approximately $6,000 to $11,000 for registered Catholics, with non-participating Catholics and non-Catholics paying higher amounts. Multiple child discounts are available.

For MACS schools, go to its webpage, www.discovermacs.org, to learn more and download application information, or call 704-370-3273. Admission information for each diocesan parishbased school and at Bishop McGuinness High School can be found on their websites.

Prospective parents are encouraged to attend open houses at the school or schools they are eyeing.

Tuition assistance Have you ever considered Catholic education for your children but wondered if it was within your reach?

A Catholic education may be more accessible than you realize, with needsbased tuition assistance available to qualified families. For details about the MACS tuition assistance program, call 704-370-3273 or go online to www. discovermacs.org/financialaid.

The diocesan parish-based schools and Bishop McGuinness High School offer similar need-based tuition assistance to qualified students. Details can be found on each school’s website.

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catholicnewsherald.com | August 16, 2019 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOL

Endowment funds for the benefit of our schools and Catholic education The Diocese of Charlotte Foundation manages 59 endowments totaling $11,834,166 that directly aid the diocese’s 19 schools and their students: n American Schlafhorst Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at Charlotte Catholic High School. n Asheville Catholic School Foundation Endowment Fund: Financial support to enable the school to retain quality teachers, offer scholarship assistance, provide continuing education for teachers, and enhance the school’s curriculum. n Joseph and Margaret Baldi Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for children of St. Leo Parish families to attend St. Leo School in WinstonSalem. n Bishop McGuinness High School Endowment Fund: Financial support for the education of students at this school in Kernersville. n Joan W. Books Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for children of Immaculate Conception Parish to attend Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Elizabeth Allen Brown Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Asheville Catholic School. n Molly Cassidy Scholarship Fund: Tuition assistance for students in Catholic Schools in the Triad area. n Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarships for graduating seniors to attend a college of their choice. n Charlotte Catholic High School Alumni Association Board Discretionary Endowment Fund: Financial assistance, at the board’s discretion, to Charlotte Catholic High School students. n James P. and Eunice S. Cherry Scholarship Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students to attend St. Michael School in Gastonia. n Cornelius Alexander Davis Fund: Tuition

assistance for students at St. Leo School in Winston-Salem. n Digger Dawson Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students from Immaculate Conception Church attending Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Derhofer Endowment Fund: For drama department productions, capital needs related to the drama department, and tuition assistance for students at Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville. n Deussen Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarships for Catholic high school education in the greater Charlotte area. n Faucette Endowment Fund: Financial assistance for the educational ministry of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Charlotte. n Forward in Faith, Hope, and Love campaign endowment: Tuition assistance n Gayden and Janell Gauthier Fund: Tuition scholarship assistance for students at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n O’Brien and William Edwards Gibbs Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Asheville Catholic School. n Gismondi Family Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for children of St. Mark Church parishioners to attend Christ the King High School in Huntersville. n Megan Healy Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at St. Patrick School in Charlotte. n Edith and George Hilbert Endowment Fund for Asheville Catholic School: Financial support for the education of students at Asheville Catholic School. n Immaculata School Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Immaculate Heart of Mary School Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point. n Roger Kavanagh Tuition Assistance

St. Michael Catholic School Everything we do begins with Faith and ends with excellence.

Join us on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 from 3 – 5pm for Open House and tours of our newly renovated school!

• Pre K – 8th Grade • Fully Accredited • NEW state-of-the-art STEM Lab and Makers Space • NEW Expanded Science Lab • NEW Special Needs Student Classroom • Fine Arts • Athletics • Clubs and Activities 704 St. Michaels Lane – Gastonia, NC 28052 stmichaelschool@stmichaelsgastonia.org www.stmichaelcs.com

Endowments aid students, schools $2,718,117 has been distributed from 59 endowments managed by the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation that directly benefited students and schools

Did you know? $3 million in financial aid was provided to students in the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system in 2017-’18, with 87 percent of families who applied being awarded financial aid.

Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Pius X School in Greensboro. n Leeolou Family Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for families of Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools. n LoBianco Family Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Therese of Lisieux Church in Mooresville and St. Mark Church in Huntersville to attend Christ the King High School. n Catherine McAuley Endowment Fund: Scholarships to Catholic students attending Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools. n Francis J. McGrail Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance to students of Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point. n Sandy McMonagle Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem. n Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools Education Development Council: Assistance to the nine MACS schools in the Charlotte area. n Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) Special Needs Endowment Fund: For Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools’ students with special needs. n Monsignor Lawrence C. Newman Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem. n Vic Nussbaum Jr. Memorial Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Pius X School in Greensboro. n Our Lady of Grace School Endowment Fund: For the general needs of the school. n Poutre Family Endowment Fund: For the general needs of Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Quinn Family Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Clark G. Ross Scholarship Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for Catholic students from Catholic parishes in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties to attend Catholic high schools in these counties, Davidson College or Queens University. n Sacred Heart School Endowment Fund: For the general needs of this school in Salisbury.

n Sheridan-Mangan Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Asheville Catholic School. n Sisters of Mercy Scholarship Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Michael School in Gastonia. n Victoria Sleeman Endowment Fund: Scholarships for students of Immaculate Conception Church to attend Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Frank Spinks Endowment Fund: For professional development activities for the staff at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Mary Spinks Endowment Fund: For scholarship assistance to minority students at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Michael Sullivan Endowment Fund: Scholarships for graduates of Charlotte Catholic High School. n St. Ann School Endowment Fund: For the general needs of this school in Charlotte. n St. Gabriel School Endowment Fund: For the general needs of this school in Charlotte. n St. Mary Church Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for children of St. Mary’s parishioners attending Our Lady of Grace and St. Pius X schools in Greensboro and Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville. n St. Joseph Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarship assistance for students at Asheville Catholic School. n St. Leo the Great School Endowment Fund: Financial assistance for the general needs of this school in Winston-Salem. n St. Michael School Endowment Fund: For the general needs of this school in Gastonia. n St. Pius X Catholic School Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at this school in Greensboro. n Theresa Lasecki Talbert Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville. n F. Joseph Treacy Endowment Fund: For scholarship assistance for students in all nine Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools. n Triad Educational Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance to students attending a Catholic elementary or high school in the Triad area. n Villalon Family Endowment Fund: Financial assistance for students at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School in Kernersville. n Sabrinia Watt Fund: Tuition assistance for students at Immaculata School in Hendersonville. n Sister Paulette Williams Scholarship Endowment Fund: Scholarships for graduating seniors from Charlotte Catholic High School to attend a college of their choice. n Woelfel Family Endowment Fund: Financial assistance at Our Lady of Grace School for student educational purposes; such as purchasing textbooks or technology needs. n Wos-Dejoy Endowment Fund: Tuition assistance for students at St. Pius X School in Greensboro.

August 16, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOLI

MACS Education Annual Fund The MACS Education Annual Fund supports every student, faculty member, and program at all nine Catholic schools in the MACS system and provides the flexibility to remain current and respond to new and exciting opportunities, while maintaining a commitment to preparing students for lives committed to leadership and service. In fact, more than $390,000 will be invested in professional development opportunities for teachers, classroom resources and technology along with other essential components of a MACS educational experience for this school year.

Gifts to the Annual Fund makes a difference and ensures that our Catholic schools remain vibrant, competitive and relevant among today’s many educational choices. Below are just a few examples of how gifts to the Annual Fund are empowering our Catholic schools to provide quality Catholic education to our children: School Grants and Grants for Educational Excellence (GEE): n Active learning classrooms designed with flexible seating choices to foster independent learning, as well as essential life skills such as teamwork, creativity and collaborative problemsolving. n Artist in Residence Program: Enhance the performance skills of individual students in the entire MACS band program. Many of these students successfully entered the District and State Band. n Provide funding to enable nine teachers to attend the National Science Teachers Conference focused on the latest advancements in science content and teaching strategy.

Technology Grants: n Multiple classroom instructional technologies for all nine schools such as laptops, iPads and Apple TV, among others. n Multiple instructional software programs in areas such as math, reading and coding.

Teacher Appreciation Awards: n This past June, full and part-time teachers received financial appreciation awards. This additional support from the entire school community enables MACS to help retain talented teachers who inspire a passion for learning in students.

The caliber of the MACS experience greatly depends on the resources available to our Catholic schools. The size and flexibility of the Annual Fund ensures that there are adequate resources every year to enhance and sustain MACS’ distinctive margin of excellence. The community’s participation and generosity help make a substantial difference in the lives of students each day.

Invest in your success!

Advertise in the Catholic News Herald Kevin Eagan, Advertising Manager 704-370-3332 keeagan@charlottediocese.org

catholicnewsherald.com

What is the MACS Annual Fund used for?

42% School and GEE Grants

35% Technology Grants

42% School and GEE Grants

23% Teacher Appreciation Awards

Triad Catholic Schools Foundation funds needs at six area schools The TRIAD Catholic Schools Foundation’s mission is to enrich and expand Catholic education by raising funds for quality programs within the six schools in the Triad region.

Through generous financial contributions from the 2018-’19 Annual Giving Campaign supporters, these schools were able to: n Bishop McGuinness High School: Provide tuition assistance for families seeking an exceptional Catholic education n Immaculate Heart of Mary School: Provide tuition assistance to families in need n Our Lady of Grace School: Provide tuition assistance opportunities so that all families may have access to our Catholic school

n Our Lady of Mercy School: Provide tuition assistance for families in need n St. Leo School: Assist families in developing the best financial plan to provide a quality Catholic education for their children n St. Pius X School: Provide tuition assistance to keep St. Pius X School accessible, affordable and available to all families who could not otherwise afford a Catholic education To donate to the TRIAD Catholic Schools Foundation, visit www.donatetriad.org or mail checks to: Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203.

For details, contact Ralph Perez at 704-3703303 or rperez@charlottediocese.org.

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‘The future of our Church is now’ A family speaks on the impact of Catholic Campus Ministry SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

GREENSBORO — For one St. Paul the Apostle Parish family, Catholic Campus Ministry has been a vital part of their faith life for nearly a decade. Bill and Mary Wells and two of their three adult children, Matthew and Sarah, have seen the value of campus ministry at both Appalachian State University in Boone and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Their son Matthew attended Appalachian State University from 2010 to 2015, and their daughter Sarah attended UNCGreensboro from 2015 to 2019.

“While visiting colleges when I was in high school, one of the most important places for me to visit was each campus’s Newman or Campus Ministry center. I felt a connection while touring Appalachian State and it became one of the first things I got involved with after I moved to Boone,” said Wells, 27, who now works as a city planner in Archdale.

He became a member of the leadership team in 2011 and continued until he graduated in 2015, serving as campus ministry president in his final year.

Wells worked to prepare and clean up Wednesday night dinners and reflections, helped to organize retreats, and participated in various social events across

campus during his time of service. He was also part of a group of three young men who started a weekly men’s group.

“In today’s day and age, our faith is constantly being challenged, especially on college campuses,” he says. “For the first time in many people’s lives, it’s the first time they are independent of their parents and they have the choice to keep God in their lives or to turn away from the Church.”

For him, he explains, “It was a valuable way to get involved with a community and to keep my faith alive. It’s definitely not an easy decision, but it’s important. The people that I met through campus ministry are lifelong friends, even if we don’t always get the chance to see each other. Being part of a small group gave me a feeling of ‘home’ and friends that I could always rely on.”

His experiences with campus ministry have had a definite impact on his faith.

“Today, I am back in Greensboro involved with my own church, the Knights of Columbus and the Greensboro Catholic Young Adult Ministry (Way of Christ).

The experiences and challenges I faced in college made me stronger in my faith and encouraged to always get involved,” he explains.

“The future of our Church is now!” he CAMPUS, SEE PAGE 11

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MATTHEW WELLS

Catholic Campus Ministry was a way of life for Matthew Wells, who attended Appalachian State University in Boone from 2010-2015. He became a member of the leadership team and continued until he graduated in 2015, serving as campus ministry president in his final year. This is an April 2015 photo taken at the last Wednesday night dinner for campus ministry participants before his graduation.

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August 16, 2019 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD: BACK TO SCHOOLI

CAMPUS

why I believe it is a valuable ministry for young adults,” she says.

“Without the campus ministry, I wouldn’t be as dedicated to my faith as I am today. I have found myself FROM PAGE 10 determined to understand it and appreciate it more as I live my life faithfully each day.

“I am grateful for what the campus ministry has says. “We need to get more young people involved and provided for me – to make my faith stronger and to share campus ministry is a place to continue (or start, if you it with others.” were not involved before) your faith journey. Make a Bill and Mary Wells have seen their children grow in difference, get involved on our campuses and bring our their faith over the past nine years faith back to life.” since Matthew first went away to Sarah, 22, has also been greatly college. affected by her involvement “They have both learned a with campus ministry at UNClot about leadership and how to Greensboro over the past four work with others, helping them to years. develop friendships that will last “I was involved in many different them a lifetime,” Mary says. “We things in the campus ministry,” she have seen so much joy in the both recalls. “I assumed the position of of them in regards to their faith student leader during my second and the desires they have to want year and soon became the student to learn more and share it with president during my third and others.” fourth year.

“College is a very difficult time “Being part of the leadership for many students, especially those team helped me to come out of my that aren’t the most outgoing, and shell and be able to connect with Matthew Wells the CCM programs were a place for other people – students and nonApp State graduate and Campus Ministry leader both of them to meet others with students. I had the opportunity to similar values and desires,” she lead a weekly Bible study, assist says. with our on-campus Mass, participate in once-a-month “Both the programs at App State and UNC-G provided service projects, and spend time with other students environments of study, service and social as well as doing various activities inside and outside campus spiritual growth for them and the other kids that were ministry.” there with them, and that has continued even after both She also participated in retreats and service trips have graduated,” Bill adds. provided as part of the Diocese of Charlotte’s Campus Bill and Mary now financially support the Catholic Ministry program.

Campus Ministry programs at both Appalachian State Campus ministry is valuable for young adults, she and UNC-Greensboro, because they have personally seen says, “because it’s a chance to build strong, life-long “the wonderful and truly positive impact” the programs friendships with people who become your second family. have in the lives of young adults.

It’s an atmosphere of positivity and community that Catholic campus ministry helps “to keep the Catholic makes it worth being a part of.”

“There are many opportunities in the ministry to learn college student passionate about their faith and wanting to share that passion with others,” she says. how to be a faithful servant to the community, and that’s

‘It was a valuable way to get involved with a community and to keep my faith alive.’

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Campus Ministry: ‘College is 4 years; your Catholic faith is 4ever’ Off to college? Want to meet new lifetime friends? Look for Catholic Campus Ministry on your campus. They may have tables outside church and at campus club/organization fairs.

Or they may be helping firstyear students settle in their rooms or participating in the Week of Welcome (WOW) on your campus. Wherever they are and whatever year you are, you are welcome to join them. Go to www.catholiconcampus.com and click on “Directory” to find and contact the Campus Minister at your college or university.

Campus Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte serves college students throughout western North Carolina, enabling them to continue their faith journey as young adults.

Campus Ministry encourages young adult Catholics to develop a closer relationship with God, continue forming their conscience within the teachings of our faith, build faith communities on campus, develop as future leaders and stewards of the Catholic community, and engage in social justice-oriented learning and activities.

All Catholic students attending university or college in the diocese are welcome in

the Catholic Campus Ministry community at: n Appalachian State University (with outreach to Lenoir-Rhyne University) n Bennett College and North Carolina A&T (Thea House) n Davidson College n UNC-Asheville (with outreach to Warren Wilson College, AB Tech Community College and Mars Hill University) n UNC-Charlotte (with outreach to Queens University, Johnson C. Smith University, Wingate University, Central Piedmont Community College and Johnson & Wales UniversityCharlotte) n UNC-Greensboro (with outreach to Greensboro College, Guilford College and High Point University) n Wake Forest University (with outreach to Salem College and North Carolina School of the Arts) n Western Carolina University

More online At www.catholiconcampus. com: Get more information about Catholic Campus Ministry in the Diocese of Charlotte

CCDOC.ORG

Success in School Starts Here Hundreds of refugees arrive in North Carolina each year. Children living in refugee camps and war-torn countries have limited access to education and often arrive years behind educational standards.

Catholic Charities provides homework assistance, enrichment, mentoring, and additional learning experiences to ensure students have the skills they need to excel in school and achieve educational goals.

To donate school supplies to help refugee youth and other children in need as a new school year begins, visit ccdoc.org or call 800-227-7261 to schedule a drop off at a local office.

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4111 South Boulevard | Charlotte, NC 28209 | www.edificeinc.com