The Catholic Foundation Celebration, A Gift From the Heart for Our Children’s Future 2013, our annual fundraiser in support of the Foundation's tuition assistance program, was a success beyond expectations.  Nearly six hundred people joined us as we celebrated Catholic education, allowing us to set another record in both guest attendance and net profit.  Because of our many generous friends who have a heart for Catholic education, we were able to raise more than $500,000 which will be used to help our schools recruit and retain other students throughout the Diocese. 

The Catholic Foundation is proud to recognize this year’s winner of our annual Scholarship Essay Competition, Miss Emily Spaulding, from Espiritu Santo Catholic School.  “I am overwhelmed by this honor,” shares Miss Spaulding, who plans to attend Clearwater Central Catholic High School next year.  She was chosen out of essays submitted by schools from across the Diocese on the topic “What a Catholic school education means to me.” 

Most Rev. Robert Lynch and the Catholic Foundation are pleased to announce the recipient of this year's Catholic Educational Leadership Award--Mrs. Diane Brown.  She has been an instrumental leader to involve others for the successful renovation of St. Cecelia Catholic School's gymnasium.  She will be recognized at this year's Catholic Foundation Celebration on Feb. 9.

Dr. Thomas Barton was directed by St. Petersburg Catholic High School to the Foundation because he wanted to do something else to benefit his high school alma mater.  He already committed to help the school annually for the next ten years.  He began by creating a charitable gift annuity naming St. Petersburg Catholic as the sole beneficiary.