Students show scholarship gratitude with Thanksgiving thank-you cards
Last week, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, received 100 heartfelt Thanksgiving wishes from Catholic school students within the Archdiocese.
“Thank you for giving me an opportunity to be taught at such a wonderful school. This school, Saint Michael School, has taught me so many things I wouldn’t have learned without the blessings of my scholarship. At this school, they have given me lovely opportunities to shine. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and may God bless you,” a 6th-grade student at St. Michael School, Newark wrote.
The sending of the cards is an annual event for the students who receive scholarships through the We Are Living Stones Catholic Tuition Assistance Program. The tradition occurs each November, the same month as Giving Tuesday and Thanksgiving.
“Through Catholic education, we have the unique opportunity to pass on our Christian values and faith and carry out the mission of the Church,” said Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, and the recipient of the thank you notes. “Many families who wish to send their children to Catholic schools simply cannot afford to do so even though they recognize the academic and spiritual advantage it offers their children. It is with great joy that we have the means, thanks to many generous donors and the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children, to sponsor these students in their studies. I am grateful for the heartwarming notes and artwork sent by the students and wish all our Catholic school students and families a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.”
The Archdiocese of Newark provides $150,000 annually to the We Are Living Stones Catholic Tuition Assistance Program offered through The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC). The non-profit organization provides partial tuition assistance for Catholic school students within the Archdiocese.
Since 2021, the We Are Living Stones campaign has provided 100 underprivileged students of the Catholic faith attending archdiocesan schools in Newark, Jersey City, East Orange, Union, and Fairview with $1,500 scholarships each year, according to Jasmin Roman, Director of Scholarship Programs for The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children.
In addition to the We Are Living Stones campaign, the SFIC supports 50 scholarship programs annually that provide partial tuition assistance for students in grades K-12 currently or planning to enroll in a private, parochial school located in the Archdiocese of Newark. The SFIC has provided 1,862 total students with partial tuition awards this year.
“At Thanksgiving, we ask the students to take the time to reflect on all that they are thankful for and to write letters to show their appreciation to the donors who provide them with the means to attend Catholic school through the We are Living Stones Scholarship Program,” Roman said. “We want our students to grow closer to God by recognizing the blessings they have received, focusing on the positives, and recognizing the generosity of the donors who have given them these educational opportunities out of their love for God and His church.”
Heartfelt messages mentioned faith, favorite classes, friendships, athletic aspirations, dreams for the future, and many Happy Thanksgiving wishes:
- I am the youngest one in my family. I am the sixth child walking through the doors of Saint Michael School. Four of them have graduated, and my brother and I still remain. My parents work very hard to give us the things we need, including a good education. Your generosity makes it possible. I am thankful for you this Thanksgiving. I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. − A 4th-grade student at St. Michael School,
,Newark - Saint Michael School is a great school, and I am so lucky to be able to attend. I am a proud fourth grader. I love school and enjoy learning new things. My family knows the value of a good education, and that is why they put me here. I want to make my parents and you proud by doing my best. Thank you for supporting my family and giving me a chance to be successful. Have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving. − A 4th-grade student at St. Michael School, Newark
- I’m sending you the biggest hug to say thank you. I love my school and all the friends I made. Thank you for helping my mom and dad. Enjoy lots of turkey! − A 3rd-grade student at St. Joseph School, East Orange
- Thank you for helping me attend St. Aloysius Elementary Academy. I really appreciate my scholarship. I really like my classes this year, and everyone is so nice! I am looking forward to playing sports this year. Thank you again, and Happy Thanksgiving! − A 3rd-grade student at St. Aloysius Elementary Academy, Jersey City
- I want to thank you for your kindness. I am so grateful for your generosity in giving me the financial resources I need to be able to attend school and learn new things. Even if you think that it is not a lot, it made a very big impact on me and my education, and for that, I just wanted to say thank you very much! − An 8th-grade student at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School
- I am thankful for many good things in my life. I am thankful for my family and the roof over my head. I am thankful for my good health, happiness, and mental health. I am thankful for the school and my classmates. I am thankful for my teachers and principal. I am thankful to Jesus because of Him I have all that I am grateful for. I am thankful to you, who have given me and my family something to look forward to every year. I am blessed to have everyone in my life. I will always be thankful. − A 6th-grade student at St. Michael School, Newark.
