I Have The Name For It!

Mary Arcement Alexander, Licensed Professional Counselor & Diocesan Victim Assistance Minister

“YOU SHOULD FEEL REALLY EMBARRASSED EVIAN, YOUR PARENTS NAMED YOU AFTER WATER.” MARY KATHERINE GALLAGHER, SUPERSTAR . I am not a huge fan of this movie but I must admit I love her name. My parents originally were going to name me Katherine Mary. As a result of my mom’s great devotion to our Mother Mary, she literally switched the two names once I was born. Throughout her pregnancy, my mom prayed for a healthy baby girl. If I were indeed just that, she promised to name me first Mary and then Katherine. Not only was I a girl, I came out weighing a whopping 10 pounds, 6 ounces! I guess you can say I was a bit healthy too. Even though most people throughout my life call me Mary, some know me as Mary Katherine and those that do have, at some point in time, referenced this movie. Molly Shannon made this character popular first on the late night show SNL and then again in the movie Superstar. Right about now you may be wondering why I am talking about my name as well as this movie character with the same name especially considering this month’s edition is all about Catholic schools. If you are, please keep reading. My name, for whatever reason is synonymous with being Catholic. Each time throughout my life when my full name is mentioned, at least one person will ask one or both of the following questions, “Are you Catholic?” “Did you go to Catholic school?” As the title says, I have the name for it!

I grew up in a small South Louisiana town with three school options. Actually, it was more like twoand-a-half options (Bayou Lafourche Academy had about 20 kids total). My actual options were the local public school or Ascension Catholic Parochial School (ACPS). Considering how both my mom and her dad attended ACPS, the options quickly narrowed down to one. My class was the first kindergarten class at ACPS and I loved it! Ms. Sue was my teacher and I can still see her sweet smile. My siblings all went to school several years prior which left me super jealous. I wanted to be in school with the big kids so much so that I would annoy my mom constantly regarding when she was going to let me go to school. She, like me, was all too happy when our Catholic school decided to open up a kindergarten class for the first time. As soon as ACPS opened their doors for kindergarteners, my mom quickly signed me up. From day one, I was the kid jumping out of the car quickly waving bye to mom without one tear shed. As a child it did not matter that I attend a Catholic school, it only mattered that I attended a school. Looking back as an adult, it matters greatly that I did indeed attend a Catholic school. Fast forward to 1985, I was over the Catholic school experience. I realize now that the primary reason I was “over” Catholic schools, was more about my own restlessness and less about the school itself. I did not appreciate then the great fortune I had in having parents who valued a Catholic education for their children more than fancy vacations. My 13 years at ACPS were mostly good ones. I pretty much went to school with the same group of kids all the way through. I have fond memories of the nuns, namely Sisters Angelle and Marguerite. Their calm demeanors still stand out all these years later. I see where having the nuns in school truly did make a difference in my education. To date, one of my best teachers was Sr. Natalie, or as we affectionately called her, “Sr. Nat.” Although at the time she did scare me a bit, (she was really tall and stern!), she also had another side that made her very likable. I truly believe today’s schools all need at least one “Sr. Nat.”

If you are a parent reading this and you are currently asking yourself, “Why should I send my child to a Catholic school when public school is free?” Here is a countdown list of my “Top Five” reasons why a Catholic education is one of the best educations.

Top Five Reasons To Pick Catholic Education

5. Smaller environment. Your child will be in an environment that will allow him or her to get the proper attention they need without falling through the cracks. They will be seen, they will be remembered, and they will have teachers, counselors, principals all knowing their faces, their smiles and, more importantly, their name.

4. An additional weekly Mass. I think going to daily Mass is a great way to deepen your Catholic faith. This one additional Mass (although not daily) can do the same thing for your child.

3. Daily prayer. In a Catholic school, your child will be able to pray aloud every day. Our prayers are our conversations with God. How awesome to know your child will be conversing with God throughout their school day.

2. No fears about what is being taught. In a Catholic school, you can rest assured that your child is not only getting a great education about the basics (reading, math, etc.), but also a great lesson in Godly, Christian values that will carry them throughout life.

1. Its Catholic! When your faith is important to your family, having your Catholic children attend a Catholic school just makes sense. Trust me when I say it is way better than any fancy vacations.

Arete Scholars

LOUISIANA IS ONE OF 21 STATES THAT ALLOWS TAXPAYERS TO DIRECT THEIR STATE INCOME TAX LIABILITY TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS – INCLUDING PRIVATE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS – ACROSS THE STATE.

There are nearly half a million economically disadvantaged children across Louisiana; many lack access to a quality education due to circumstances beyond their control. The team at Arete Scholars believes this is unacceptable. The organization’s mission is to provide low-income families access to education options that would otherwise be unaffordable.

Funded primarily through tax credit giving programs, Arete Scholars awards need-based K-12 scholarships that empower parents to place their children in private schools that align with the family’s values and best suit the child’s unique gifts and learning needs.

In Louisiana, individuals and businesses can support nonpublic schools through the state’s Tuition Donation Credit program and by donating to organizations such as Arete Scholars–a stateapproved School Tuition Organization. Any individual or business with Louisiana state income tax liability can donate to Arete Scholars and immediately receive a 95% tax credit, reducing or eliminating their state tax liability. Arete Scholars then uses that donation to provide scholarships for low-income students to attend the private school of their choice.

Arete Scholars provides K-12 scholarships to underserved students all across the state of Louisiana and is partnered with all Diocese of Shreveport schools. To learn how your state tax liability can help children access a quality education, please contact Andrew Martin of Arete Scholars at 985-707-4293 or amartin@aretescholars.org