To honor the leadership and service of our former pastor, Father Daniel P. Redmond, to the parishes of Saint Mary, Chardon, and Saint Patrick, Thompson, over nearly a decade from November 2011 to May 2021, Father Scott Goodfellow has authorized the creation of a Memorial Scholarship Fund in Father Redmond’s name. It is hoped that sufficient funds can be raised to provide one or more annual scholarships to graduating eighth grade students from Saint Mary School who are to attend Catholic high schools. The annual earnings on the fund principal are to be awarded to selected students based on a combination of factors yet to be finalized by a committee whose purpose is to administer this scholarship program. At a minimum, the current parish administrator/pastor, the school principal, and the parish business manager will serve on this committee; others may be added.

  A campaign will be undertaken to request donations for this scholarship fund. At a minimum, the target amount is $25,000, which at four percent earnings per year, would yield a financial award of about $1,000 to one student. For each additional $25,000, another scholarship could be awarded. The formal campaign will last one month, ending before Thanksgiving, although additional contributions to the fund may be made thereafter. If the minimum target is not met, then a separate determination will be made as to whether the fund shall be converted into a simple depleting balance account that will be dissolved once all funds (not just earnings) have been distributed or whether a smaller scholarship amount will be awarded to corresponding with estimated earnings.

  Campaign materials will be produced in the weekly bulletins and on the parish website over the next few weeks. It has yet to be determined if individual mailings will be sent to all registered parishioners. Please consider being a part of this effort to create a lasting remembrance to Father Redmond, one that will continue indefinitely into the future. Please take note of the duration of the campaign and please be open to the additional information.

  All donors of $50 or more will receive a copy of a booklet highlighting the milestones of Father Redmond’s pastorate at our parish. You may well be surprised by all that happened during these years. All donors of $200 or more will receive a two-volume set of the written words of Father Redmond as they originally appeared in the weekly bulletins and Saint Mary Messengers. These works will be printed after it is determined the number needed of each.

  The objectives of this scholarship fund are threefold: To honor Father Redmond, not just once, but on an ongoing basis; to support Catholic education in general; and to assist parish families in allowing their daughters and sons to attend Catholic high schools. Please consider participating!