Ready to learn: parishes provide back-to-school assistance at St. Rita and St. George Catholic Schools

St. Rita Catholic School Principal Kindra Johnston and Patricia Gonzalez, a representative from St. Philip Parish in Flower Mound pose with 305 textbooks donated by parishioners at St. Philip to St. Rita along with a $7,000 donation on July 18, 2024. (NTC/Rodger Mallison)

FORT WORTH — Being ready for the first day of school got a little easier for students at St. Rita Catholic School and St. George Catholic School, both in Fort Worth.

Parishioners at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Flower Mound held a drive and raised $7,000 to equip St. Rita Catholic School with new textbooks.

At Good Shepherd Parish in Colleyville, parishioners donated three pickup loads of school supplies for students at St. George, an annual act of generosity that’s been ongoing at least 10 years.

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Patricia Gonzalez volunteers in outreach ministry for St. Philip the Apostle Parish, and each month she helps organize a drive called “neighbor days” to benefit local charities.

The parish, Gonzalez explained, embraces stewardship of the blessings God has given, and the congregation “has a mindset — let’s use these resources and help our brother and sister parishes and the diocese wherever we can.”

For July, she considered a school supply drive for St. Rita, but after speaking with Principal Kindra Johnston, she learned that textbooks were a greater need.

Parishioners quickly stepped up, donating $7,000 to purchase 305 textbooks, providing new textbooks for all grade levels of the school in east Fort Worth.

Johnston said the donation impacts the students, teachers, and school community, stating St. Philip’s “generosity has provided us with the means to overcome a significant financial hurdle and continue our mission of delivering a robust, faith-based education.”

Previous drives at St. Philip the Apostle have benefited Catholic Charities Fort Worth, Loreto House, Christ Child Society, and other community nonprofits.

St. Philip always gives generously, according to Gonzalez. “When they know that there is need, especially within our diocese, they respond to that. There's nothing like seeing your parish really rise to the occasion. And that's what they keep doing at St. Philip.”

Help by the truckload

The parishioners of Good Shepherd Church know the back-to-school routine, including buying school supplies for every student at St. George Catholic School. They have equipped students with basic school supplies for at least 10 years, according to Ray Matteson, coordinator of outreach ministries at Good Shepherd Parish. He recently drove three pickup loads of boxes of school supplies to the school near downtown Fort Worth.

The Colleyville parish has a close relationship with St. George and Cassata Catholic High School, he said. Volunteers help the schools with painting, landscaping, or other projects as needed.

“We have a generous, committed congregation and an involved parish,” said Matteson, adding that the schools are among 10 partners that the parish regularly supports.