In the days of Thanksgiving and Advent, many families discuss how they want to direct their end-of-year giving efforts.  Please consider Saint Charles Borromeo Academy.  It’s time for our fourth annual Borromeo Academy City-Wide Prayer Luncheon.  Like every other event in this Covid-year, it will be a virtual affair this time around. I invite you to join the livestream gathering on Friday, December 4, at noon.  We will begin with a performance by young Borromeo Academy scholars and include a virtual tour by our principal, Dr. Karen Hopson, a message from Joe Ross, president of Saint Pius X High School, and from me.  The entire event will last about half an hour (I guess there are some good things about the virus!).

Individual tickets are $50, and a table sells for $500.  Sponsorship of scholars exists at multiple levels: Olympian–$10,000, Gold Medal–$5,000, Silver–$2,500, and Bronze–$1,000.  At whatever level you are able and inspired to sponsor a child, your gift will be greatly received and graciously appreciated.  As many of you know, the parish region in which we’re located was a thriving growth area of the Kansas City northland from the 1940s through ‘70s and our school, at one time, enrolled 1,000 students.  As family-size diminished in our society and area residents moved to larger houses and newer developments beyond our boundaries, it resulted in a “donut hole effect” in our immediate neighborhood.  Fortunately, some families are willing to drive the extra miles to receive the unique educational experience we offer through our Catholic classical liberal arts teaching method and learning philosophy.  Many others, who suffer poverty, have asked us to help educate their children.  Along with you, I take seriously the church’s commitment to educate all children and do what we can to assist parents who need financial assistance, offering them the same quality experience.  Thank you for helping us carry forth this mission.

We believe that there is incredible potential for growth here once again.  Many young families are eager to partner with us in teaching their little ones about God and receive essential lessons about following Christ.  This year, in spite of tremendous challenges presented by Covid-19, we have advanced in significant ways, including solidifying our staff in a unified mission, embracing a strategic vision that clarifies core values and goals, adopting dynamic pillars built upon firm foundations our scholars can carry with them beyond our doors, and creating stronger bonds with neighbors and institutes based on shared  hopes for our community’s future.  In our fourth year as Borromeo Academy, we are in a good place.

Among our blessings this year is a matching challenge gift of $50,000 from angel donors.  Your contribution to our annual academy luncheon, therefore, will be doubled.  You may make a donation by visiting our parish website or by using this link to purchase tickets.  If you prefer to write a check, please make it to “Saint Charles Borromeo Parish” and send to us in care of Borromeo Academy, 804 N. E. Shady Lane Drive, Kansas City, Missouri, 64118.  Jennifer Harris will be available to answer any questions you may have: 816-436-0880, Ext. 313 or jharris@stcharleskc.com. Individuals, couples, and families have stepped in to adopt a family in unfortunate circumstances this Christmas.  One couple even provided holiday bonuses for our staff.  For all these gifts, I am touched, humbled, and thankful.

Many great things have happened here at Saint Charles since Borromeo Academy was born four years ago.  As we approach the anniversary when Christ was born, let us continue to accept the task ahead of us and carry it through to completion as we, like the Baby Jesus did, grow in age, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and grace.