Dear Blessed Sacrament Families,

In the 24th Chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, we hear the story of Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus.

Mixed with raw emotions of sadness, confusion, anger, and fear, they encounter Jesus. The events of the past days, however, prevented them from seeing the Risen Christ in their fellow traveler. In Build Bethlehem Everywhere – a 2002 Canadian Statement on Catholic Education – the author writes, “Downcast and broken, they encounter a stranger on the road who listens to every word they have to say, every grief they have suffered, every misery they have endured.”

Since the middle of March it has felt that we, too, are on the Road to Emmaus. From one day to the next, our daily lives were transformed into a virtual community of learners, workers and Christians. The sounds of the church bells ringing to prepare us for Mass became Facebook notifications reminding us of live-streaming Masses about to begin. Instead of teachers welcoming students into the classroom buildings, teachers and students connected via online platforms to begin the school day. Like the two Disciples on the road to Emmaus, we share the same raw emotions.

But as we learn in the Gospel, it takes Jesus to remind them of the promise of Easter Sunday that He made before Good Friday. It is the Risen Christ who opens their eyes and hearts to receive the grace of God during difficult times. As we continue navigating through this novel pandemic, we are called to the remain steadfast in our faith.

I would like to introduce our Road to Emmaus Enrollment Program as we prepare for the 2020/2021 School Year. The program builds upon #InThisTogether mantra we have been using as a faith community and will ensure Christ remains our anchor during this unchartered time.  While we may be uncertain like the Disciples, we can rely on God’s grace to “keep the dialogue alive with a new generation by helping them to see the mystery of God’s presence and action in the world and in their lives, even when they are convinced that there is no more meaning to be found.” In a time of uncertainty, allow Blessed Sacrament to be a source of encounter and accompaniment with your family.

The Road to Emmaus Enrollment Program will continue through the Solemnity of the Ascension – Thursday, May 21, 2020. The program includes:

  • $60 Registration Fee for new and current families. In the event financial circumstances prevent the Registration Fee from being paid, families are asked to reach out directly to the School Principal.
  • The current tuition rate will be honored for new and current families who register during the Road to Emmaus Enrollment Program. The rate is dependent upon the contribution to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church by Monday, June 15, 2020. The contribution amount, June 1, 2019 – June 15, 2020, remains unchanged – $250 for new families and $425 for current families.

Great News! It is our plan to move forward, in a fiscally responsible manner, to provide a Pre-Kindergarten 3 program beginning in August 2020. The school must have at least 10 students registered by June 8, 2020 to ensure the program’s sustainability. In addition to being potty-trained, a student must be three (3) on or before September 1, 2020. If we do not make this requirement, registration fees will be refunded.

The General Fee is per student and is used towards faith formation, the purchase of textbooks, Archdiocesan assessments, student insurance, standardized testing materials, library materials, and additional classroom supplies.  The Family Activity Fee replaces mandatory fundraising and provides financial support for various special programs sponsored by the Parent Teacher Committee (PTC).  The school does, however, ask that families participate in the sale of raffle tickets for the Halloween Carnival and Casino Night.  Our generous parishioners, fundraisers and special collections help subsidize the approximate $1,800 per student financial gap between total tuition and the actual cost per pupil.

As with this year, we will be asking that families participate in the Catholic Life Insurance Sweepstakes and Big Give SA.  These two additional fundraisers allow the school to work towards instructional programs and parent approved capital projects.

To help simplify the re-registration process, we have minimized the forms we are asking families to complete.  Also, to ensure the timely deposit of registration fees and fiscal responsibility, we registration fees for returning students will be paid on PayNow (RenWeb Parent Portal).  Here are the two steps to complete re-registration:

  • First complete the e-Financial Preference Form below. You can also access the form here.
  • Next, submit your Registration Fee through PayNow on RenWeb (No School Office Payments)
  • Congratulations, your re-registration is complete!

Each family will receive notification from FACTS Management Co. regarding the total amount of tuition and fees scheduled to be drafted from your financial institution.  General Fees and Family Fees are due in July.  Please refer to the 2020/2021 Schedule of Tuition and Fees for payment due dates.

Families seeking tuition assistance are encouraged to apply with Hope for the Future.  Students entering kindergarten through eighth grade are eligible for tuition scholarships.  Scholarships are awarded using a needs analysis application.  Typically, awards range between $500 and $1,500 based on demonstrated financial need.  To review more information regarding Hope for the Future, please visit www.hopeforfuture.org or call (210) 734-2670.

We are also working with donors to continue our Blessed Sacrament Tuition Assistance Program. This information will be released in May.

We, along with the faculty and staff, look forward to working in partnership with you as we remain committed to our school’s mission statement: “to provide, within an active Christian learning environment, quality education and formation of the whole person by nurturing the development of each child’s talents in the love and service of God and community.”

In service to the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament,

Michael Fierro

Principal