Financial Reports

Feb 14, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! As we journey together in faith, I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for your continued prayers, generosity, and commitment to the mission of St. Mary Help of Christians School. Your sacrifices and support allow us to cultivate an environment where our children can grow in wisdom and grace, learning to see the world through the light of Christ.

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, I am pleased to share with you a reflection on the many blessings we have received, including the ways in which our resources have been used to sustain and strengthen our school. True stewardship is not merely about balancing budgets but about ensuring that every decision we make reflects our love for Christ and our desire to form disciples.

This year has been a time of great joy and growth. One of the greatest blessings has been the arrival of our new principal, Mr. Carlos Overstreet. With his guidance, we continue to be good stewards of our resources, ensuring that every dollar is spent in a way that nurtures the spiritual and academic formation of our children. We are also grateful to Mr. Matt Kuhn, who served as acting principal with dedication and wisdom during this transition. His leadership has been critical in maintaining stability and progress within our school community. Additionally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Agnes Hobson, whose unwavering support and commitment have been key during this period of change. Their efforts have greatly contributed to the strength and continuity of our school, and we are truly blessed by their service.

I am also profoundly grateful for the leadership of Mrs. Cortney Neel, Chair of our School Advisory Council. She and the entire council have worked tirelessly to support the mission of our school, ensuring that we are not only financially sound but also faithful to our calling as a Catholic institution. Alongside her, Mrs. Kristen Bates and Mr. Jim Foley have served with dedication on the finance council, contributing their time and expertise to the careful stewardship of our resources. Through their diligent efforts, our school enrollment continues to grow, allowing more families to experience the beauty of a Christ-centered education. We are truly blessed by their commitment and service.

Perhaps one of the most exciting developments is the completion of our Blessed Carlo Acutis STEM Academy. This new addition to our school stands as a testament to the generosity of our parish community and our unwavering commitment to providing students with a strong academic foundation rooted in faith. We look forward to gathering as a family of faith on March 6th, when Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS, will celebrate Mass and bless this new chapter in our school’s history. I encourage all of you to join us in prayer and thanksgiving on this special day!

Another great blessing is the opening of our new 3K/4K Academy, which will allow us to welcome even more young hearts into an environment where they will be formed in faith and love from the very beginning of their education. This expansion ensures that we continue to grow in service to our parish families and beyond.

As I reported in my letter of last July, the school operated at fairly significant losses in recent years, including -$135,546 in FY24. However, thanks to the diligent efforts of Mr. Kuhn, acting Principal, Mrs. Hopkins, acting Assistant Principal, Phyllis Water, school bookkeeper, and the leadership of SMSAC, they undertook a most thorough review of the school’s budget at the end of FY24 and into this new year. Every expense was scrutinized, every fiscal policy reviewed. As mentioned previously, we also undertook an aggressive marketing effort to grow the enrollment of the school, led by the SMSAC. That effort has been fruitful, as enrollment increased to 235 students and continues to carefully grow. As a result of this combined approach, we are currently operating at a modest positive through the halfway point of the year. The school’s financial reports show our operating net income now stands at $34,174.40 through the end of the 2nd Quarter of the 2025 fiscal year. Though we have faced financial challenges in recent years, I am pleased to share that, through careful planning and responsible stewardship, we have made significant progress. Last year, our school operated at a deficit, but through the diligent efforts of our school leadership, faculty, and advisory council, we are now seeing financial stability return. Our current financial position is strong, and I am filled with confidence that, with God’s grace and your continued support, we will continue to thrive.

None of this would be possible without the incredible dedication of our faculty, staff, volunteers, and parishioners. You are the hands and feet of Christ in this mission, and your generosity makes possible the formation of young hearts and minds in the truth of the Gospel. I ask you to continue to pray for our school, for our students, and for all those who labor in this vineyard of the Lord.

As we move forward, I invite you to reflect on the ways God has blessed you and how you might continue to share those blessings with our parish and school. May we all seek to be faithful stewards of the gifts He has entrusted to us, knowing that in giving, we receive abundantly from His mercy.

With deep gratitude and prayers,

Father Wilson
Pastor
St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School