St. Rose of Lima Catholic Grade School

State of the School Report 2012

As we look forward to a new year in 2012 and reflect upon 2011 one thing is apparent in our parish communities; God is good and his presence is alive in our consortium.  We are thankful for all of the blessings of talent, faith, and commitment given by our diocese, parishioners and families.  Our commitment to educating children and to help them become disciples of Jesus is being realized each day.  For example, enrollment at St. Rose School has increased by four students over the previous school year and family support for the school is thriving.  We expect another increase in student population next year.  We are also thankful for the gift of a quality staff that invests their time and attention in students at St. Rose School.

In the 2010 - 2011 fiscal year we were able to pay for all of our yearly expenses.  Our tuition, school fundraisers, and offertory were strong, producing $694,718.98 in income or 82% of our total yearly expenses.  The Diocese of Columbus recognized our vitality and gave our parish $157,571.76 to make up for our operational deficit in fiscal year 2010 – 2011.  In order to avoid a shortfall in the 2011 – 2012 fiscal year we have taken the following actions:

1. St. Rose School reduced its operational expenses by $70,000.00 through a reduction of two staff members. 
2. A new tuition management system was implemented and has created a steadier cash flow. 
3. We have continued to pursue lost tuition and have collected $17,000 to date.  100% of the tuition billed for the 2010 – 2011 school year was collected.
4. Churches in the consortium are generously giving offertory support to students who attend St. Rose School and local Catholic high schools.
5. Tuition was raised by $200 per student in the 2011 – 2012 school year.
6. The regular offertory collection remains strong and continues to grow through your gifts.  Regular offertory, large donations, and contributions from parishioner’s estates have been a blessing to the longevity of our church.  These funds give us a steady foundation now and in the future. 
7. Fundraising efforts have been very successful this year and must continue to be strong.  In June we held our most successful St. Rose Festival, raising $10,000 more in profits than ever before and this past October’s Faith in Our Future was the most successful one yet, raising over $37,000.00.

While we remain positive about our financial future it is apparent that we must come together to avoid a deficit in 2011 – 2012.  Our budget for the year is honest and aggressive.  If we cannot continue to produce results like the ones listed above, we are sure to see another deficit.   So as you make resolutions for a new year please consider how you can share the blessings God has given to you with our parish and school.  There are many opportunities to give of yourself and we are sincerely grateful for every contribution you make.  Each donation helps us continue our mission to grow the spirit of Jesus in our children, families and parish community.

Happy Advent!!

The St. Rose Children's Choir will be singing at the 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. Thanks to our teachers and parents who will be leading them as I, Fr. Jim, have another job to do at that Mass. Any past and present Children's Choir members are invited and encouraged to sing at this Mass. We will welcome back any veterans who are willing and able, as long as they will show up at the 2 practices. We are even willing to open the doors who have not joined, but would like to at this time. If that is the case, please come to our next two practices.

The two important practices are the next 2 Mondays from 6 to 7pm at St. Rose Church. Regular Children's Choir day and time. The singing for Christmas Eve 6pm Mass will begin at 5:40pm and so I would need the kids there by 5:30pm - dressed in their Christmas best.

Also, it would helpful to know who is able to do this. If you are planning on having your children sing at the 6pm Christmas Eve Mass, please send me an email letting me know - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . This will be a good way to be true to our Children's Choir Mission - which is to have a great and joyful love for Jesus and His Church and to help others have a great and joyful love for Jesus and His Church.

Yours in Christ, Fr. Jim

Here’s a message from Fr. Jim:

Great news: this year’s Faith in Our Future Annual Appeal has collected over $37,000 so far. Many alumni, parishioners, school families, and random benefactors have participated to make this by far the best appeal to date (this our fourth year). The great news gets better because a lot of people continue to give through the year to this appeal. As we know tuition alone does not cover the cost of your child’s education. Fundraisers are necessary to keep St. Rose School open. Those school families who have not yet made their contribution still have time to put something in the Faith in our Future envelope.

This Wednesday at St. Rose Church at 5:15pm we are having a special Thanksgiving Edition Holy Hour. It begins at 5:15pm and ends at 6:15pm. Not a bad way to get into the Thanksgiving spirit.

On Thanksgiving Day, Mass it as 8:00am. It is always good to see a great crowd on this National Holiday, which for us is quite religious, as we are aware that all good gifts that we are thankful for come from God.

Right after the Mass is St. Rose School’s Athletic Department’s 2^nd Annual Turkey Trot. This is a good way to prepare yourselves for a big feast with a 5k walk, run, jog, or sit at the finish line and watch people come in! The rain is supposed to stop. 

I hope you consider these good things to do, for body, soul, and St. Rose School! 

I wish you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving Day and fun weekend. 

God bless you, Fr. Jim  

Dear Families of St. Rose School,

Today we launched our 4th Faith in Our Future Annual Appeal. This is one of the biggest fundraisers for our school. It is vitally necessary for the financial operation of our school. Do we need you to sign up and volunteer to work a shift? No. Cook food, fry fish, be the toy distributer at the prize table? Nope. What about filling endless containers with sloppy joe or nachos? None of that - for this. What about sell portions of homemade noodles and pie? I wish! All we need is for your to participate in the Annual Appeal by using the Faith in Our Future envelope. Some of you are able to give a lot. Some are barely able to give any. But all are able to give something. Whether it's a dollar or a million of them, it is very important that we have every family participate in the appeal.

I personally send the thank you notes to everyone who contributes, usually about 300. This year I really would like to be able to write that we had 100% participation from all of our school families - it would mean a lot to the other 250 contributors who have given in the past and hopefully will give this year. Please remember, they are giving to help educate our children so remember them in your prayers of gratitude to God.

I sent a blank envelope home with every student. You will also be getting one in the mail. Please share it. If you have other people who love your children you might support your children's school, please contact me and I can get you more! If you have ideas on how to make this important and necessary fundraiser better, please contact me.

Respectfully yours,
Fr. Jim