Catholic education is considered a gift by many families whose children attend the 91 Catholic elementary schools and 20 Catholic high schools in the eight-county diocese of Cleveland. Often it requires sacrifice and a great deal of hard work.
With Catholic Schools Week approaching later this month, Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine asked a cross-section of students to reflect on what Catholic education means to them.
A dozen years ago, the Finch family, of St. Jude Parish in Elyria, learned that Debbie was carrying triplets. She went into early labor and delivered two girls and a boy at 24 weeks? gestation. Wyatt was born with retinopathy of prematurity that causes vision problems; Piper endured several surgeries. ?They overcame many challenges and spent 111 days in the newborn intensive care unit where sadly, April passed away,? she said.
Meg Milchen, director of admissions/advancement at St. Jude School, said Debbie worked tirelessly with the two surviving triplets to prepare them for school.
?We always planned for our children to attend Catholic schools and the odds seemed stacked against them as we began to realize that Piper and Wyatt needed extra help and therapy,? Debbie said. They attended public school through kindergarten. ?As first grade was nearing, it was time to seek out a miracle. Our search led us to St. Jude.?
?She had heard about the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship and was looking for an approved school,? Meg said. The Finches attended St. Jude?s open house and were interested in having their children attend there, but the school was not a provider for the new program.
?The principal (at that time) did not feel there was enough time to gather all the information necessary to apply. She told Debbie ?maybe next year,?? Meg said.
Debbie recalled that she prayed that night and left the rest in God?s hands. The following Monday, she got a call from the principal who said she also prayed about her decision over the weekend, had a change of heart and was applying for St. Jude?s to become a Jon Peterson Scholarship provider.
?After much research and consulting with the staff, the application was sent before the deadline,? Meg said. ?There is just something about this family that makes you want to help them.?
Wyatt and Piper, now age 12 and in sixth grade, have attended St. Jude?s for six years and say they enjoy it. The family has grown to include Fitch, 8, who is in third grade at St. Jude.
?The teachers are kind and there are lots of kids to be friends with,? said Fitch, whose favorite subject is math. He is involved with golf, basketball and the liturgy team.
Piper said she likes St. Jude because ?they help me understand math.? Her favorite class is theology. She is involved with the liturgy team and plays basketball.
Wyatt, who likes gym class best, said, ?Everyone is friendly.? He also is involved with the liturgy team and the school newspaper.
Debbie said all three children ?like learning about God and participating in Mass.? The school?s sensory room is important, since it allows them to take a break, if needed. The Finches hope their children can continue their education at nearby Elyria Catholic High School
