Dear Parish Family,

I am eager to speak this weekend about the Angel Scholarship Fund (ASF) and the opportunity to turn tax dollars into tuition assistance. Simply put, ASF turns tax dollars into tuition assistance by taking advantage of a tax credit scholarship program established by the State of Ohio. Wouldn't it be wonderful to direct the taxes we already owe towards tuition assistance for our families and students at St. Mary School, all at no net cost to you as a donor? This is a win-win opportunity for taxpayers, students, families, Catholic schools, and Catholic parishes. 

By making an investment in ASF, all Ohio taxpayers will have the opportunity for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit up to $750 for individual filers and $1,500 for joint filers. No investment is too small to make a big impact! In 2022, we are blessed to share that two hundred of our ASF investors provided more than $137,000 that we are using for student tuition scholarships this school year! With your "YES" to supporting ASF this year, you will help us smash our goal of raising $300,000 in tuition scholarships. 

Along with the greatly expanded EdChoice scholarships available this year, ASF investments will complement and amplify the tuition assistance we are able to provide to families. With EdChoice, every K-12 student can receive a state-funded scholarship so families can send their children to the school of their choice. The funding formula of our state is simple: the scholarship money follows the child to help fund the cost to educate. With EdChoice and ASF working in tandem alongside our Adopt-a-Student funds, we will be able to lower, and in some cases eliminate, family tuition obligations! We are in a position to lower family tuition obligations this year up to 85% (from $687,500 to $103,000)! 

In addition, the increased funding will also enhance academic and faith formation opportunities for students, increase teacher compensation, communicate the affordability of Catholic education, and reduce the parish subsidy to put both the parish and school on solid financial footing for our future. For instance, we are offering our teachers bonuses this year to help bridge the salary gap between a Catholic school teacher and a public school teacher. We also purchased beautiful hardcover bibles for each of our students at the beginning of this school year, and are integrating Theology of the Body lessons for our students to help them know and discover their God-given identity in Christ as beloved sons and daughters. How beautiful a gift God has given us!

This week, all parish households will receive a mailing with all the contribution and tax information needed to make an investment in ASF. There's even a flyer you can give to your tax preparer that outlines precisely how to note your tax credit contribution on your tax forms. I understand this tax credit is new for many of you. Please know that our parish staff and ASF ambassadors are here to assist you through this process. Please feel free to reach out to me or Frank Rihtar (frihtar@stmaryschoolchardon.org) for assistance if you have any questions as you make your contribution this year. In today’s bulletin, we’ve also published a list of our 2022 ASF investors. Talk to these people who can attest to how easy it was to support ASF and benefit from the tax credit!

Please encourage your family and friends to make a contribution as well. The more investors we have, the greater the benefit for our students, families, teachers, and parish. More than anything, we are building a wonderful community of faith-filled disciples here at St. Mary School, and we are excited to bring you into the fold as a supporter to provide an affordable Christ-centered Catholic education for all who desire it! Visit www.stmarychardon.org/asf for more information and to donate.

I am yours in Christ,
Fr. Scott Goodfellow