In 2014, parishioners of St. Therese of Deephaven found themselves in a tough spot. Enrollment at the parish K–8 school had dropped below 100 students, adding more financial pressures at a time when the parish already struggled with heavy debt. Parish leaders considered closing the school until a parishioner stepped in with a sizeable donation to keep the doors open, reasoning that if St. Therese School closed, in 20 years the parish would, too.
Ten years later, St. Therese Catholic Parish and School is thriving. No longer viewed as a financial burden for the parish, the school is celebrated for driving the congregation’s growth. “The school is the most significant ministry of the parish,” says Father Leonard Andrie, pastor of St. Therese since 2016. “It’s the reason families come and engage with the life of God that’s here.”
School Brings New Families to Parish
After a decade of investments to upgrade school facilities, enrollment at St. Therese has rebounded to nearly 300 students in K–8, with another 117 in the early learning center. As it’s grown, St. Therese has attracted many families from the area who had no church affiliation, but who were drawn to Catholic education, with its emphasis on values, small class size, and commitment to academic excellence.
Many of these families have received the sacraments to become Catholic and have joined the parish. “The kids start to build a spiritual life by praying and talking about God, and the parents want to be part of that,” explains Father Andrie. “So, the kids are bringing in their parents.”
The steady stream of young families has revitalized the faith community. Katie Sullivan, a school parent and lifetime parishioner, is grateful to everyone who has contributed to the school’s success. “Catholic schools are the best living examples of the joy of Jesus and the best evangelization machines,” says Katie, who just completed a three-year term as school board chair.
Membership at St. Therese had skewed to an older demographic, but that has begun to shift. “It’s important for a parish to have the entire gamut of human experiences and stages of life,” says Father Andrie. “The school draws in younger families, and for older members, that brings a sense of hope for the future.”
Endowments Secure Future Stability
Now Father Andrie says it’s time to shift out of survival mode and focus on the long-term stability of the parish and school. St. Therese has established endowments dedicated to future parish and school needs. With CCF’s help, it recently launched a campaign to grow the school’s endowment fund.
“CCF created a lot of the marketing materials and helped us do a better job telling our story,” explains Father Andrie. “The endowment will help us secure the school’s financial stability regardless of what happens down the road.”
As the campaign to build the school’s endowment unfolds, the parish endowment continues to accumulate. “We’re not taking any money out of that, so any increases are reinvested,” says Father Andrie. “Eventually, it’ll grow to a point where it provides a revenue stream that can offset some day-to-day operation costs.”
Helping People Encounter Christ
Father Andrie views the work of the parish and school as closely entwined. “Education is a ministry. It’s an investment in the future,” he says. “It’s a way to proclaim the gospel and help people encounter Christ.”
Having seen her beloved school almost close, Katie Sullivan doesn’t take the parish’s current success for granted. “We have to play the long game,” she says. “The future of the Catholic Church depends on it.”