Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The devastating consequences of the current pandemic have gravely impacted our Church as well as every aspect of our society. The financial insecurity that has been generated by COVID-19 affects in a particular way the schools of the Archdiocese, their students, parents, faculty and administration. As families struggle to pay tuition, school communities scramble to meet additional expenses of COVID-19.
Already, COVID-19 has contributed to the permanent closure of some 140 Catholic schools across the country. Additionally, surveys show ten percent of Catholic schools are now uncertain if they can re-open this fall. That means as many as 500 or more Catholic schools, including several in our own Archdiocese, are seriously at risk.
Proposed legislation entitled the
Alexander-Scott "School Choice Now Act" will pay for emergency funding for scholarship-granting organizations in each state and provides permanent dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits for contributions to scholarship granting organizations. As the Senate prepares its next aid bill, urge your Senators that the next COVID relief package include the
School Choice Now Act to provide immediate assistance to families through federally funded scholarships.
ASK that private school students receive equitable share in COVID-19 relief services that are offered to public schools;
ASK for tuition assistance for struggling families;
ASK for tax deductions or credits for families' education expenses to help in the struggle to pay for school tuition now.
Please visit
NJCatholic.org/faith-in-action and follow the prompts on
NJ CatholicConference's Voter Voice. In a few clicks, you can ask Congress to help our Catholic School Families stay in their Catholic schools. Use Voter Voice as soon as possible so your voice has the greatest impact.
Thank you for answering the call to support our students and schools by advocating for them.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R.
Archbishop o Newark