PROVIDENCE — With support from the annual Catholic Charity Fund Appeal, students such as Tyler Le, a bright fifth grade student at Bishop McVinney School, with great academic enthusiasm and whose favorite class is “all of them,” are able to prosper academically and receive quality, faith-filled education at diocesan elementary schools each year. For Tyler, whose father, two aunts and uncle all attended and graduated from the Providence School, Bishop McVinney has always felt like the school was a second home to him.
“I thank God for the wonderful teachers and principal who make me feel safe and loved each day of school,” he said. “I love that I get to learn so many things here. The teachers are wonderful and I really like all of my classes.”
Tyler’s Father Minh Le said that there was no other school that he would ever entrust the education and care of his son than Bishop McVinney.
“I am so grateful to Catholic Charities for providing me with the opportunity to place my child in a loving environment that offers strong academics, moral values and the religious foundation upon which to become the person I want him to be,” he said.
Tyler was awarded $2,300 from the Catholic Charity Fund to attend Bishop McVinney School and receive a faith-based education. The fund was established in 1925 to provide services and financial support for social ministries, education and spiritual development. Each year, the bishop allocates a portion of the annual appeal to provide tuition assistance to needy students enrolled in the three diocesan Catholic secondary schools. The other two schools are All Saints Academy in Middletown and Monsignor Clarke School in Wakefield. The average awards are $1,100 per student.
According to Edward J. Bastia, business administrator for the Catholic Schools, Bishop McVinney School, receives approximately $40,000 from the Catholic Charity Fund, to provide internal tuition assistance to families with demonstrated need.
“These families would not be able to enroll their sons and daughters in Bishop McVinney School without this assistance,” Bastia explained. “The resulting decline in enrollment would further stretch a very tight budget. The Catholic School Office greatly appreciates the funding provided by the annual Catholic Charity Fund Appeal. We are partnering together to provide a quality Catholic education to families who otherwise might not be able to afford to do so.”
Principal Lou Hebert, who started working at the school as a teacher 25 years ago and became principal in 2001, said that the funding from the diocese helps the school survive, helping many of the families afford to send their children to Bishop McVinney.
“Without the diocesan aid we would be struggling, no doubt about it,” he said. “The diocesan support makes a big difference in the lives of these families who sacrifice so much to give their children a quality Catholic education. They work so hard and they are very grateful for the aid.”
When he grows up, Tyler shared that he wants to become a lawyer, a profession which he feels he will be prepared for by his Bishop McVinney education.
“I learn many things here about justice and about helping others,” he said. “I have a lot of support from my school now and in the future.”
