St. Katharine Drexel Fund bolsters Catholic Schools

Catholic schools have been making a difference in the lives of families in Oklahoma for more than 100 years. Nineteen elementary schools and three high schools form a system of 22 communities of Catholic learning, educating 5,000 students a year.
 
The 3 ^rd annual Celebrating Catholic Education Breakfast was held Jan. 29, where 265 guests gathered to celebrate Catholic schools and their impact on society. The net proceeds of the breakfast are distributed through the Office of Catholic Schools for two new funds that support priority needs in financially struggling communities and leadership programs for teachers and principals. 
 
Superintendent Diane Floyd recently had the opportunity to make three presentations to those schools identified as the recipients of awards from one these funds – the Saint Katharine 
Drexel Fund.
 
Recognizing that Catholic school education is important, but that is also can be a large responsibility for a single parish, the Saint Katharine Drexel Fund seeks to assist parishes. By empowering local parish communities to direct educational funds where they are most needed, the Drexel Fund seeks to ensure the system of Catholic schools in the archdiocese is financially stable for generations.
 
Thanks to the proceeds from the breakfast, the archdiocese was able to award Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic School and Saint James Catholic School, both in Oklahoma City, and Saint Joseph Catholic School in Enid with gifts of $5,000 each.
 
The goal of the Saint Katharine Drexel Fund is to provide financial support, so the school can determine how best to use the funds.
 
The schools must meet the following guidelines:
 

• Funds must be used on capital expenditures or financial assistance, and not solely operating expenses;

 

• The goal is a direct benefit to students;

 

• Representatives of the school, including, but not limited to, the pastor and principal agree to be interviewed about the receipt of the funds and how to help raise funds in the future. They also agree to attend the next Celebrating Catholic Education Breakfast, which for 2020 will be on Jan. 28.

Photo: Superintendent Diane Floyd presents award funds to Principal Alicia Vazquez of St. James Catholic School and Fr. Pruett, pastor of St. James. Photo provided.