Help provide the gift of Catholic education

Dear Archdiocesan Catholic 
Community, 

Catholic education began in the Archdiocese of Mobile in 1831 when Spring Hill College opened a school for boys.  The next year, Bishop Michael Portier established Visitation Academy as a Catholic school for girls.  Today our archdiocese is blessed to have two preschools, 14 elementary schools, one middle school and three high schools.  These schools provide an education grounded in faith for 4,781 students, an enrollment that is at 70% capacity.  Despite generous parish subsidies and charitable giving, tuition is still out of reach for many families. In fact, the cost of tuition is the number one reason parents cite for not choosing Catholic schools. If Catholic schools are to survive, we need to expand sources of income. 
 Nationwide, the decline in Catholic school enrollment can be attributed to multiple factors:  the decline in Religious vocations, changes to the structure of marriage and family resulting in lower birthrates, the rise of secularism and erosion of traditional values and an overall decline in active participation in the faith.  As enrollment continues to decline, the cost of tuition increases, making it less affordable for middle and lower income families. Declining Mass attendance and participation in parish life make it harder for parishes to provide the subsidies that have helped keep tuition affordable. 
Ironically, it is Catholic schools that help provide the solution to the woes that have caused enrollment to decline.  Catholic school graduates are twice as likely to pursue a religious vocation, more likely to remain married and practice the traditional values and beliefs that the Church and our nation were founded on. Catholic school graduates boast a higher graduation rate, higher earnings potential and are five times more likely to remain active in their Catholic faith. In short, Catholic schools are vital to the mission of the Church. Fortunately, there is a simple but effective way for Alabama tax payers to support our Catholic schools.
Since 2014, the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund (AOSF) has helped our Catholic schools welcome new students, as well as support families already in Catholic schools. At its peak, AOSF provided scholarships for 485 of our Catholic school students.  With funding depleted during the COVID pandemic, the number of students currently receiving scholarships has been reduced to 137, providing roughly $1 million in funding.  We need to increase funding for these scholarships and thereby increase access to the quality education, rooted in faith, provided by Catholic schools.
How can you help? If you or your company pay Alabama state income tax, you can now donate 100% of your state tax dollars to the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund. Supporting this program will cost you no out of pocket expense.  For more information on how to donate, visit 
alabamascholarshipfund.org or speak to your professional tax advisor.  Please take time to watch a message from Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi regarding his support for Catholic schools and the tax credit program at mobarch.org or https://youtu.be/nSqG6Gb9RPk
Thank you for your continued support of Catholic schools, and please prayerfully consider supporting the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund.  Help give the gift of Catholic education to the children in our communities.

Yours in Christ,
Gwen Byrd



Executive for Catholic Education/Superintendent
Catholic Department of Education