Saint Raphael Archangel Fund

by Father Jeff Kegley

Recently, I had a conversation with a parish family who said they wished they could send their children to Saint Raphael School, but didn’t even look into the possibility because they did not think they had the financial resources to do so.  Over my years as pastor of Saint Raphael-Holy Angels Church, I have tried to communicate through my notes in the bulletin, homilies, PTA newsletters, and anyone who would listen to me my philosophy that any parishioner who wishes to send their child to Saint Raphael School should be able to do so regardless of their economic situation.  Saint Raphael School is here for the spiritual, academic, social and physical formation of every one of our children. This is our mission! -  A mission that Jesus Christ himself gave when he instructed his disciples to “Go Make Disciples!”  However, for me this is more than just about the mission; it’s personal.

I was blessed to have experienced a Catholic School education.  My mom and dad, God bless their souls, were phenomenal parents wanting only the best for my brother and me.  For mom and dad there was no other option for their children than the Catholic School experience.  My dad was a factory worker and my mom for the most part was a “stay- at-home mom” but occasionally worked various part-time jobs as a waitress and seamstress while we were at school.  It is best to say that my family lived “pay check to pay check.”

It was while I was in seventh grade and my brother was attending Catholic High School that my father’s union went on strike- a strike that would last over two years.  During this time, my parents lost their house, car, and used up what little savings they had accumulated over the years.  It was a very painful and challenging time for our family to say the least. My parents agonized over how they were going to keep us in Catholic School since there was no money to pay for tuition and book bills.  My parents arranged a meeting with our pastor to discuss our situation.  Our pastor was a priest with a heart for Catholic education. He assured my parents “not to worry,” that the school was there for all our parish families and “we can work things out.”  

It was because of the generosity of the parish community offered through our pastor that my brother and I were able to continue with our Catholic School education. This personal experience has formed my philosophy that any parishioner who wishes to send their child to Saint Raphael School should be able to do so regardless of their economic situation.  Catholic schools are for all Catholic families… that is why they were built! - And Saint Raphael School is here for your family too!

In recent years I have established the Saint Raphael the Archangel Fund.  The purpose of “the Archangel Fund” is to raise non-tuition revenues to support the educational advancements of Saint Raphael School. It is also through “the Archangel Fund” that we are able to award “parish grants” for tuition assistance to ensure that all our parish families have the opportunity to experience a Saint Raphael School education. With “the Archangel Fund” we can work and partner with families so that together “we can work things out.”  So as you see, the Archangel Fund… for me it’s personal.