Grateful, Thankful, Blessed 

Happy November!  Cooler temperatures mean looking forward to special times ahead, and no more political ads! As we move toward the end of 2020, challenges and unchartered territory aside, I give you three words to reflect upon:  Grateful, Thankful and Blessed. 

Words cannot adequately express the gratitude we feel for stakeholders.  First and foremost, to our Individual and Corporate contributors, for without whom our organization would not have been able to award more than 138,000 scholarships. Realizing that sustaining the largest ministry of our church is critical to our future, your support has helped thousands of families be able to choose the educational option best suited for their child’s unique needs.  To our schools and parishes, we exist for you and through you, and are honored to continue to serve you and our Diocese and thank you for 23 years of faithful partnership as together we build one body in Christ.   

We continue to be Thankful that the State of Arizona passed legislation more than two decades ago, providing the opportunity for Individuals and Corporations to direct a portion of their state tax liability to certified School Tuition Organizations including CEA in the form of tuition scholarships for students attending private schools. The savings to the state, the 99% graduation rate by our Catholic High Schools, and the thousands of community service hours performed are a few examples of your tax credits at work that serve as a reminder that there is much more work to do.   

Our Fall season is packed full of projects to reach more individuals and corporations to let them know how easy it to change a life through a simple tax credit, that ultimately costs nothing!  Be on the lookout for an email, ad on your device, Renewal Letter or one of our newly created videos streaming from your parish and make your 2020 tax credit contribution!  Already taken the credit for 2020?  Then call our office to set up your 2021 Scheduled Pay plan to make easy, budget-friendly monthly or bi-monthly payments.   

Trying times are blessings in disguise, an important lesson for all of us to remember. If you have had a bad day, a bad month, or just a bad year in general, sometimes the most difficult lessons to learn are what your faith needs the most. So, as we prepare to close out 2020, let’s take all the challenging and crazy experiences and lessons of 2020 and place them in a box labeled Blessings.  It is by realizing our blessings and giving thanks for them that we will continue to be strong, faith-filled Catholics, ready for anything that is thrown our way!   

Wishing You and Yours a Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving, 

Deb