It is no secret that demographics in the Valley section of Providence have changed over the past decade and the general economic conditions in Rhode Island have made it increasingly difficult for many families to afford a Catholic education. At a recent Mass in my home parish, Deacon Patrick Moynihan, the President of The Haitian Project, noted that "You cannot find an Irish slum." He speculated that was because of the sacrifices made by Catholic Nuns and Priests who ran the Providence schools for all of those deacdes. It is true that education is the only surefire way to lift people out of the cycle of poverty and that continues to be the mission of the most affordable Catholic Elementary School in Providence, Blessed Sacrament.
That is why it is so important that those of us who benefited from the generosity of religious orders like The Faithful Companions of Jesus give back to the most vulnerable in our country and our cities. The Sponsor-A-Student opportunity is a chance to do that. I am asking you to consider sponsoring a student with a full or partial scholarship for the coming year at Blessed Sacrament. With your generosity and our commitment to Catholic education, we can make the American dream come true for a new generation of Providence children. Thank you for your consideration.
-Mr. Weber