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catholicnewsherald.com | December 4, 2020

MACS enrollment opens Catholic schools see influx of new students this fall for 2021-’22 year SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Registration for new students in the nine Mecklenburg Area CHARLOTTE — Most of the Diocese of Catholic Schools (MACS) is open for the Charlotte’s 19 Catholic schools are seeing 2021-’22 school year. some growth in enrollment this year: The

Applications, financial aid information total number of students has increased Senora Angiolino, a and more is available online at www. almost 2 percent over last year, from 6,896 Spanish teacher at discovermacs.org. Prospective families may to 7,024 students, according to data recently Bishop McGuinness also contact the MACS Admissions Office released by the Catholic Schools Office. High School in at 704-370-3273. Of that total enrollment, about 73 percent Kernersville, is

The nine schools in MACS are: St. Ann are enrolled in kindergarten to the eighth shown teaching her School (PK, TK, K-5), St. Gabriel School (K- grade, and the other 27 percent are enrolled Spanish III class of 5), St. Matthew School (TK, K-5), St. Patrick in ninth through 12th grades. sophomores and School (K-5), Our Lady of the Assumption Applications are still being accepted for juniors. Students School (PK, K-8), St. Mark School (K-8), the 2020-’21 school year. While schools are and faculty have Holy Trinity Middle School (6-8), Charlotte welcoming more students where space adjusted well to Catholic High School (9-12) and Christ the is available, they also are monitoring the use of masks King High School (9-12). enrollments carefully in order to maintain in classrooms and

In-person tours are currently limited social distancing and provide a safe hallways. because of COVID-19 health protocols. learning environment during the COVID-19 Details about possible tour appointments pandemic. PHOTO PROVIDED BY are listed on each school’s website. A Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE directory with links to each school’s website make up the largest share of this year’s is at www.discovermacs.org/schools. student population, about 4,800, and has

Tuition discounts are provided to seen approximately 3 percent growth School – totals 426 students. from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, participating Catholic parishioners and for this fall compared to last year. MACS Principal Kevin O’Herron of St. Matthew American Academy of Pediatrics and N.C. multiple children enrollment. Financial is comprised of nine schools in the School in Charlotte said he has seen an Department of Health and Human Services assistance is also available to qualifying Charlotte area: Charlotte Catholic High increase in enrollment across all grades to ensure the safest possible learning families based on need. School, Christ the King High School, Holy at his prekindergarten-fifth grade school environment – including health screenings,

Most of the diocesan schools participate Trinity Middle School, Our Lady of the and attributes some of that growth to the frequent cleaning and handwashing, face in the N.C. Opportunity Scholarship and Assumption School, St. Ann School, St. realities parents are facing during the coverings, social distancing, protective the N.C. Disability Scholarship Programs. Gabriel School, St. Matthew School, St. pandemic. barriers and other measures to keep

MACS also offers special needs programs Mark School and St. Patrick School. “The primary reason for the increase students and staff healthy and safe. All at various locations including: PACE Enrollment at the seven Piedmont Area in our enrollment is due to the public schools are also providing remote learning (Providing an Appropriate Catholic Catholic Schools is 1,841 students. PACS schools starting the school year with for students who opt to stay at home due to Education), MAP (Modified Academic schools include: Bishop McGuinness remote instruction. For some, parents health concerns. Program) and MMP (Matthew Morgan School in Kernersville; Sacred Heart were not able to make arrangements to be Bishop McGuinness High School’s Down-Syndrome Program). Each offers School in Salisbury; Our Lady of Grace home with their children and provide the Interim Principal George Boschini said a specific educational experience for School in Greensboro; Our Lady of Mercy support required with remote instruction. steady increases in enrollment over the students with diverse learning needs. To School in Winston-Salem; Immaculate For others, their children really struggled past three years there is directly related to learn more about these special programs Heart of Mary School in High Point; St. Leo academically and truly needed a face-to- four main factors. and tuition rates, go to www.discovermacs. School in Winston-Salem; and St. Pius X face learning environment,” O’Herron said. “We offer students a complete high org/speciallearning. School in Greensboro. “Our typical new family has been a St. school experience that includes academic

All of the diocese’s Catholic schools are Enrollment in the diocese’s three other Matthew parishioner for years who has rigor, athletics, arts and leadership in accredited through Cognia (formerly called parish-based schools – St. Michael School considered our school in the past, but a faith-centered environment. Strong AdvancED). in Gastonia; Immaculata Catholic School never made the switch. The effects of the relationships between staff, students and — Catholic News Herald in Hendersonville; and Asheville Catholic pandemic have given them that push,” he families add to the experience. Students are said. Those “new families have been happy visible in the community, as evidenced by with our school culture, wrapped around almost 12,000 service hours completed last

Please pray for the following priests who died during the month of December: our faith, and strong academics. Although we don’t know what the future holds, I do believe that most of our new families have year. Lastly, we have students on campus and in school this year,” Boschini said. “All these factors make Bishop Bishop William G. Curlin – 2017 found a new home for their children at St. Matthew Catholic School.” McGuinness a great place to be.” Diocesan Superintendent Dr. Greg Abbot Jude Cleary, OSB – 2005 The diocese’s schools opened in late Monroe agrees that more families are Abbot Walter Coggin, OSB – 1999 August or early September to in-person instruction, relying on extensive guidance drawn to the unique mission of the diocese’s Catholic schools. Rev. Cuthbert Allen, OSB – 1977 “Our holistic educational approach – Rev. Boniface Bauer, OSB – 1974 which is focused on body, mind and soul – is attractive to many families,” Monroe Rev. Jerome Dollard, OSB – 1985 said. “We truly are a school community for Rev. Michael J. Hoban – 1995 all people regardless of their background, faith, ethnicity or socio-economic status.” Rev. George Kloster – 2019 “We’ve welcomed many new families this Rev. Matthew Leonard – 2019 year who were seeking an environment Rev. Thomas McAvoy – 1978 that creates as normal a learning experience as possible for our students Rev. Joseph McCarthy – 2001 while prioritizing the health and safety of Rev. Francis Scheurich – 1975 our school communities,” he said. “The greatness of our schools stems from the Rev. Msgr. Francis M. Smith – 1983 richness and diversity of our families, and Rev. Vincent M. Stokes – 1979 we will continue to encourage all parents who aren’t in our system to explore if our Rev. John Joseph Tuller – 2013 schools are a good fit for their children.” Rev. Philip Tierney, OSB – 1971 Rev. Aloysius Wachter, OSB – 1977 Rev. Msgr. Thomas R. Walsh - 2016

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMY M. TOBERGTE

Helping the community at Thanksgiving

CHARLOTTE — During the days leading up to Thanksgiving, students at St. Patrick School engaged in acts of service to support the local community. Students assembled hundreds of snack bags and toiletry bags and tied 24 no-sew fleece blankets for The Relatives, a Charlotte organization that supports homeless and runaway youth. Students also raised nearly $900 to support The Relatives and A Child’s Place through a dress-down day. The school concluded their celebrations with a livestreamed Thanksgiving Day parade.

‘Saint in a Box’ projects

PHOTO PROVIDED BY APRIL PARKER

GREENSBORO — Eighth-graders in Bill Parker’s religion class recently completed “Saint in a Box” projects. The projects are a culmination of the students’ preparation for the sacrament of confirmation, but also brings full circle the faith-based education they have received. The effort involves researching their patron saint for confirmation, or a saint of interest to them, and then relate what they have learned and give the boxes they have made to their kindergarten prayer buddies. Some students chose familiar saints such as St. Nicholas or St. Francis, while others researched lesser-known saints like St. Roch or St. Dymphna.

FEATURE FOCUS: CATHOLIC CHARITIES

(From left) Catholic Charities, in partnership with Asheville Catholic School, assembled boxes for Thanksgiving this year, distributing them to families in the area. Dave and Beverley Gidus, parishioners of St. Lawrence Basilica in Asheville and Catholic Charities volunteers, assisted with the Angel Tree program Dec. 1. All three of Catholic

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF CHARLOTTE Charities’ regional offices are accepting donations of gift cards, non-perishable food, hygiene items and paper products this holiday season.

Give hope this holiday season

SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER

CHARLOTTE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte prayerfully requests your help to meet the increased need for food and financial assistance this holiday season.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced business closures resulting in job losses, has left families and individuals in precarious financial situations. It has also created food instability for those vulnerable populations.

All three of Catholic Charities’ regional offices are accepting donations to help alleviate the needs of participants and bring them hope this Christmas. Because of health precautions during the pandemic, donations of toys and clothing are not being accepted. However, donations of gift cards, non-perishable food, hygiene items and paper products are at the top of the list.

Here is how you can help:

Charlotte Regional Office, Charlotte

Food donations are being accepted. Items needed include: stuffing, sugar, flour, rice, canned food items, cooking oil, juice, milk, cereal, oatmeal, grits, etc.

Non-food items needed include: paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, hygiene kit (bath soap, toothpaste, toothbrush), laundry detergent, dish soap, etc.

Store gift cards needed include: Walmart, Target, Food Lion and Harris Teeter.

How and where to donate:

Food and non-food donations can be dropped off at the Diocese of Charlotte Pastoral Center (1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Contact Sylvia Sekle at 704-370-3295 or McKenzie Keane at 704-370-3261 to schedule a delivery.

Gift cards can be dropped off at the Pastoral Center and given to the security guard on the first floor or mailed to the attention of Catholic Charities at 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203.

Piedmont Triad Office, Winston-Salem

Food donations are being accepted. Items needed include: hot and cold cereal, soup, instant potatoes, gravy mixes, stuffing mix, canned fruit, canned pasta, crackers, peanut butter and jelly, tuna, coffee, sugar and flour.

Non-food items needed include: paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, hygiene kit (bath soap, toothpaste, toothbrush), laundry detergent, dish soap, etc.

Store gift cards needed include: Walmart and Target.

How and where to donate:

Food donations can be dropped off at the WinstonSalem Catholic Charities office located at 1612 E. 14th St., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27105 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to noon or 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Gift cards (Walmart or Target) can be dropped off at the office or mailed to Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 20185, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27120.

Questions? Contact Harley Elkins at 336-714-3203 or email hdelkins@charlottediocese.org.

Western Regional Office, Asheville

Food donations are being accepted. Items needed include: canned vegetables, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, soups, flour, cooking oil, sugar, rice, peanut butter, jelly, canned fruits, easy-to-prepare meals and kid-friendly snack items.

Non-food items needed include: bar soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent, personal hygiene products and toilet paper.

Store gift cards needed include: Walmart and Ingles.

The Angel Tree program is being offered to clients this year. If you are interested in donating to the Angel Tree program, call 828-255-0146.

Additional Angel Tree donations accepted include: donations of small gifts such as lotions, coloring books, small toys or puzzles, school supplies, gloves, hats, scarves, wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, etc. These items are distributed to families during Angel Tree pick-up.

How and where to donate:

Food donations can be dropped off at the Western Regional Catholic Charities office located at 50 Orange St., Asheville, N.C. 28801 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make alternate arrangements outside of these hours, call 828-255-0146.

Gift cards (Walmart or Ingles) can be dropped off at the office or mailed to Catholic Charities at the address above.

Questions? Call 828-255-0146.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte

Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is a non-profit social service organization following the teachings of the Catholic Church. Services are provided at the three regional offices: Asheville, Charlotte and Winston-Salem. Additional offices are located in Greensboro, Lenoir and Murphy.

To learn more about services offered through Catholic Charities, go online to www.ccdoc.org.

To make a one-time financial donation or donate monthly to support your neighbors in need throughout the year, visit www. ccdoc.org/donate, call Virginia Garramone at 704-370-3349, or mail a donation to Catholic Charities, Central Processing, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203.