More then 180 patrons attended the event at Dunkirk Lighthouse.
For those who abide by a school calendar, the final days of summer flash before our eyes in an instant. The long and lazy days suddenly vanish as the new school year floods in, and suddenly it is fall and football season.
At least for awhile, summer memories are swept under the tide of getting ready for the change. It is not until after the waters recede that we are able to reflect and take stock of the summer’s highlights..
On Aug. 23, Northern Chautauqua Catholic School put on a grand gala at the Dunkirk Lighthouse on an idyllic late summer evening. Tickets were $125 a pop and more than 180 patrons were in attendance, enjoying a variety of live music performances, raffles, and an exquisite buffet laid out by Dave Winchel’s Super Duper Catering. Lighthouse director David Briska was a most gracious and accommodating host, and the Lake Erie sunset was our usual thing of beauty to behold.
The purpose of the gala was to raise money for the school. NCCS has thus far withstood compounded setbacks in financial support. Funding from the Diocese of Buffalo has dried up, and the school is increasingly dependent on its own human resources to sustain itself. Moreover, last Spring an unexpected illness forced principal Andy Ludwig to leave his office.
The departure of the man who guided the ship tirelessly for the past six years left a hole in the heart of the school which has been difficult to fill.
Yet over 180 were in attendance at the event, which was organized by NCCS musical director Janie Villella-Sharon, assisted by volunteers from our HSA. Among the usual entourage of faithful Cardinal Mindszenty alumni were several long-time patron families of local Catholic schools, including the Fitzgerald, Passafaro, Piazza, Mancuso, Militellos, Demsey, and the Wallenhorst families (it should be noted that among all the beneficence on display, perhaps most dramatic was the Wallenhorst family’s donation of a 30-foot sailboat for auction!). Also on hand was new NCCS Principal Kyle Yelich.
Dr. Michael LaFever, one of the strongest advocates for the Catholic school mission across Western New York, was there as well. He has been a passionate, articulate, and highly effective voice in the effort to bring greater awareness of and funding to the Catholic cause. All things tallied, over $30,000 was raised for the cause.
While finances and sustainability are always at the forefront of these kinds of events, perhaps the most critical subject (and the elephant in the room) is the overall decline in faith, not just among Catholics, but among Christians across America. According to the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), over 30% of Americans have no Christian affiliation today, up over 20% since 2006 and over 60% since the 1990’s. Today, 40% of young Americans aged 19-24 claim no religious affiliation.
The diminishing value of faith in communities is of concern. Here in Western New York we are witnessing the closings of numerous Catholic churches. The question looms: If not in faith-based educational environments, where will the fundamental tenets of Christianity be taught? Certainly not in public schools, where religions cannot be favored. At home, it is a tough sell for most parents.
All this makes the case more than ever for the need for alternative schools, especially those that are based on faith. While the primary focus of any school is to prepare students for jobs in the future, there are other kinds of preparation beyond the pragmatic. Kids should be able to learn about the messages of Christ. What better way to prepare them to confront the ills of society as they grow older? What better way to ready them for healing when they suffer the loss of loved ones? What better way to allow them to believe that death is not a black hole of nothingness, but rather a portal through which one might find eternal life?
At Northern Chautauqua Catholic School students receive a well-rounded education. Classes are relatively small, so teachers can offer more individualized help. All core subject areas are covered by excellent teachers in accordance with state and national standards. Spanish is taught from 2nd grade through middle school. Beyond that, the school boasts a robust middle school music and drama program led by Villella-Sharon that involves the entire student body.
The tremendous success of the NCCS gala is proof that there remains a strong body of folks who truly believe in the need for Catholic education. It will henceforth be an annual event celebrating the coexistence of faith and scholarship.