Your Impact

How a Dual-Working Family Prioritized Catholic Education

With three daughters in Phoenix Catholic schools, the Cruz-Patino family are firm believers in the importance of Catholic education. “We are a dual-working family. However, our finances do not allow us to save enough money to pay for the full tuition costs,” they said. The family tells donors,

“We thank you. Without your financial support, we would not be able to have our daughters in private Catholic schools.”

Thanks to Catholic Education Arizona contributors and donors, their daughters have access to excel academically while learning the values of the Catholic faith. Their family believes that a person must have academics and, most importantly, a relationship with God to succeed. “Catholic Education Arizona creates a path for our daughters to excel in our society,” they said.

The Impact of Investing in Education

Natalie, their daughter, a current scholarship recipient, described how transferring to a Phoenix Catholic school changed her life. “Catholic education is helping me be a better human being and be the best version of myself in Jesus, my savior,” Natalie said. Catholic schooling impacted Natalie’s academic skills and her formation as a whole.

Their daughter Genesis, also a current scholarship recipient said, “I love being in a Catholic school because I feel safe.” Genesis added that she is thankful to attend one of the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic school because of her opportunity to learn about the life of Jesus and the saints.

Their daughter attending Xavier College Preparatory, Camila, shared, “I am extremely blessed and thankful for this amazing opportunity,” she said. Camila emphasized education is her top priority. “A Catholic education gives me opportunities I could only dream of,” Camila said.

Changing Lives and Transforming Families

The Cruz-Patino family is thankful to Catholic Education Arizona donors for their generous support, making it possible for families like theirs to have a Catholic education. “Without Catholic Education Arizona, our three daughters will not be the kind, respectful, God-loving girls they are! We need God in our lives, and our kids must learn about God early on,” they said.

Keeping Christ in education is why the Gatica family chooses a Catholic education. “The Catholic Education Arizona scholarship made such an impact on my family! This scholarship has allowed me to provide an amazing Catholic education for my children,” exclaimed the Gatica family.

The Gatica family expresses gratitude to Catholic Education Arizona contributors for providing the scholarships. “By simply re-directing your state taxes, people are providing families, like mine, the opportunity to send their children to Catholic schools in Arizona,” they said. The Gatica family desires a Catholic education for their children because it keeps religion close to their hearts, and the smaller classrooms allow the students to have one-on-one help from their teacher.

The oldest Gatica daughter said, “My family is so happy we have the choice to go to a Catholic school. We believe an education that includes God is a wonderful opportunity.”

“I am very blessed to be able to go to a Catholic school,” said their son, “This opportunity is important to me because I want to continue to learn about God and live a holy life.”

“Without this scholarship, I wouldn’t be able to afford a Catholic Education for my family. I truly appreciate all who made this scholarship possible, you have no idea how much stress you take off families every year!” said the Gatica family. “We pray that people will continue to direct their state tax dollars to CEA so that many more children here in Arizona can have the opportunity to receive the incredible gift of a Catholic education like my children have. Thank you!”

Faith was born into a faithful Catholic family in the mountains of Flagstaff. Faith’s parents saw Catholic education as a foundation of faith and education that carried over to their adult years. Wanting Faith to share in their spiritual and academic formation, they sent Faith to San Francisco de Asis Catholic School from preschool through 8th grade.

Faith said her childhood in Catholic school gave her a strong sense of belonging. “Looking back, I can see what a gift it was to be able to grow up in a school environment that held the same values and core truths that my family did,” she said.

Attending Catholic school during her formative years helped Faith integrate God into all aspects of her life. “I wrote the truth of our faith into my heart, which came to full bloom toward the end of high school when I was fully able to accept the faith as my own after some time of navigating the secular world at my public high school.”

“Without the loving teaching and moral foundation my Catholic school laid for me as a kid, I could have been led widely astray from the truth in high school.”

Faith added, “Although I know the Lord is limitless and could have converted my heart no matter how far I was from Him, I can see how encountering Him and in the teachings of the church was significant in my childhood to light the flame for my faith that has grown during my adult years, and which now impacts every aspect of my life,” she said.

“Thank you for supporting Catholic Education.” Faith remarked, “I cannot express my gratitude enough for my Catholic School experience and the impact that it has had on my life! God bless you!”