The Shepherd Foundation

Upcoming Events

We will hold our annual Celebration Mass on November 20, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 6001 Western Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC. Come listen to the enchanting sounds of the Archbishop Carroll Choir. Principal Chris Kelly of Blessed Sacrament School will share his thoughts on Catholic education.

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Executive Committee

• Daniel Anastasi
• Elizabeth Young Durante Monsignor John Enzler
• Renee Kannapell
• Timothy Mullin
• Kathy Phelan
• Ed Quinn, Jr.
• Brian Ridgway
• Michael C. Ridgway
• William R. Slater, III
• Richard A. Sullivan, Jr.
• Ryan Sullivan

Past Chairmen

• Richard C. Ridgway
• Richard A. Sullivan, Sr.

Board of Directors

• Chris Abell
• Ray Chappell
• George Patrick Clancy, Jr.
• James A. Donohoe, III
• Robert Easby-Smith
• Bruce Ellis
• David Jacobin
• John F. Jaeger
• Terry Matan
• James V. Reyes
• Ed Quinn, Sr.
• Richard C. Ridgway
• Mary Ann Stanton
• Eileen Trevisan

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"We don't help these children because they are Catholic, we help these children because we are Catholic."

-Cardinal Hickey

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Back to School Bash A Big Success!

We had a good turnout, all of whom were treated to great food provided by Pam Kelly and Word of Mouth Catering. The crowd was entertained with fantastic tunes provided by the Melonheads, featuring Cindy Anastasi, as lead vocal. The Melonheads played a wide variety of cover songs from rock n' roll, to Motown, to pop, and to dance numbers.

The idea of the Back to School Bash is to have fun and learn a little more about what we do in our efforts to help families who need tuition assistance.

Look for announcements for our 3rd Annual Back to School Bash coming in future SF E-Newsletters.

Message From the Chairman...

It all starts with education.

We are excited to deliver to you our first quarterly E-newsletter. So many benefactors, school staff, Shepherd recipients and friends have asked us about the good works and progress of the Shepherd Foundation but it has been difficult to keep people informed in a cost effective and efficient manner. Well, here is a way we can now do that for all of you.

We hope you enjoy receiving current and regular news of what our benefactors help us provide- affordable Catholic education to families in need -and the success stories, together with our benefactors and sponsored schools, we are creating.

Just as we are excited to learn something new to share with you, imagine the joy, satisfaction and reward of a child in a Catholic school who learns something new in Math, English grammar, Religion, or new manners or discipline. It all starts with education.

Many of us have been fortunate to receive all the benefits of Catholic education, including lifelong friendships and business relationships that have given us full and rewarding lives. As you consider your charitable giving choices in this tough year, we hope you reflect on the value of your Catholic education and consider the Shepherd Foundation and our mission. Please know that every dollar you donate goes directly to assisting families and students as we have NO administrative expenses.

Lastly, please join us for our Annual Mass and Celebration on November 20th. It is an absolutely fantastic way to start off the holiday season. The Archbishop Carroll Gospel Choir will join us again this year. You will gain an appreciation of what your donation can mean to a family in need.

Gratefully,

Mike Ridgway

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Message from Father John...

Dollar for Dollar, I can't think of a better way to share the gifts God gives us with those less fortunate than ourselves.

I am very cognizant of the financial pressures that many of us face due to the recent economic downturn. For many, it is a time of anxiety and worry. For the first time, many of us feel financially insecure, as we see our own "nest egg" and plans for the future suddenly become uncertain. I am confident in the long run and I am hoping the present crisis will soon pass so we can get back to the normal routines that most of us have enjoyed all our lives.

I have been reminded by the anxiety of many of our own parishioners that this is the way many people live all the time. Many of those we help in the Shepherd Foundation desperately desire the chance to have a good education for their own children but just can't afford it and have no way of obtaining it. It makes me even more proud, when I experience financial struggles, that we have been a huge support system and have helped so many people who otherwise could not afford a decent, quality education. I know many families who depend upon us for our assistance and support. I am happy and proud to be one of the agents of the Shepherd Foundation, making sure those families in Montgomery County, Prince George's County and the heart of the District of Columbia who have a real need are assisted.

Let us not allow the recent struggles take our eyes off the poor and needy. They need us more than ever, even as we cut back on certain things we have enjoyed in the past. As you cut back, please don't cut back on your care for the poor and less fortunate, particularly those who are served by the Shepherd Foundation. Your contributions and assistance make a huge difference and, dollar for dollar, I can't think of a better way to share the gifts God gives us with those less fortunate than ourselves.

Thanks for all you do for the Shepherd Foundation, and thank you on behalf of all the families we continue to support through your contributions.

Father John

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The Need Grows...

Currently, there are over 34,000 young people enrolled in Catholic elementary and high schools throughout the Archdiocese of Washington. Still, there are many low income families, and even middle income families, who would like to send their children to Catholic schools but simply cannot afford the tuition.

While more than $4 million has been provided in assistance since The Shepherd Foundation was started, our spiritual leader Father John Enzler has stated "it is not enough... the need continues to grow." The cost of a quality Catholic education has risen annually. Tuitions at parish elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Washington now average more than $3,000 per year. High School tuition averages more than $6,000.

Each year, more and more families require assistance, yet every year too many families have to be turned down and the door to their children's future begins to close. In fact, only half of the thousands of families who seek tuition aid each year receive help. It's not that they aren't eligible, it's that the money just isn't there.

Please make a difference... open the door to a child's future. Become a member of The Shepherd Foundation.

Visit www.theshepherdfoundation.org to see a list of the schools we serve.

How Can You Help?

Joining The Shepherd Foundation is easy as new donors/members are always needed and welcome. Contact us and know that every dollar you donate goes directly to tuition assistance. This is one investment where you are guaranteed a return that is priceless: a child's future. You too can make a difference.

The Shepherd Foundation's sole purpose is to help those families achieve that goal of giving their children a Catholic education.

Schools Which Have Received Assistance

Washington, DC and Montgomery County, MD

High Schools:

• Archbishop Carroll High School
• Georgetown Visitation
• Gonzaga College High School
• St. John's College High School
• Academy of the Holy Cross
• Connelly School of the Holy Child
• Georgetown Preparatory School
• Our Lady of Good Counsel

Grade Schools:

• Assumption
• Holy Comforter
• Holy Name
• Holy Redeemer
• Immaculate Conception
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help
• Sacred Heart
• St. Ann's Church
• St. Anthony's
• St. Augustine's
• St. Francis Xavier
• St. Gabriel's
• St. Thomas More
• Holy Cross
• Holy Redeemer
• Mater Dei
• Our Lady of Mercy
• Our Lady of Sorrows
• Saint Andrew Apostle
• St. Bernadette's
• St. Camillus
• St. Catherine Laboure
• St. Jane de Chantal
• St. Jude Catholic
• St. Martin's
• St. Michael's
• St. Peter's

Prince George's County, MD and Southern Maryland

High Schools:

• Bishop McNamara High School
• DeMatha Catholic High School
• Elizabeth Seton High School
• St. Vincent Pallotti High School
• St. Mary's Ryken

Grade Schools:

• Holy Family
• Holy Redeemer
• Saint Jerome's Church
• Saint Margaret of Scotland
• St. Ambrose
• St. Mary's
• St. Matthias the Apostle
• Archbishop Neal Elementary School
• Our Lady Star of the Sea