By Paula Day

St. Anthony’ School in southwest Atlanta represents an archdiocesan commitment to the ministries of education, of witness and of evangelization in the black community.

Father Bruce Wilkinson, pastor of St. Anthony’s parish, believes support for the school reaffirms the May 1987 National Black Catholic Congress’ view that Catholic schools are “truly a ministry, not just a service – a ministry of witness and evangelization.”

The $32,925 subsidy the school will receive this year from the Catholic Charities Drive is less than 10 percent of its total budget. However, every penny of support helps in an area where statistics show economic resources are fewer than in the general population, according to Father Wilkinson.

Sister Patricia Clune, C.S.J., principal of the all-black school says of the financial aid from the Drive: “It is absolutely crucial, having this support, to survive.”

Stretching the budget is a way of life for St. Anthony’s. The school celebrated its 75th anniversary last fall, and at that time replaced, for the first time, the roof of a 50 year-old building that still is used for administrative offices and classrooms. “We don’t have the luxuries of dramatic or creative writing classes, but we do tap into community resources like the Georgia Council for the Arts,” Sister Patricia pointed out, “and we rely on the creative ingenuity of our staff.”

On a recent day in late February, the third-grade class was boarding a bus for a trip to the Center For Puppetry Arts to see a presentation of the children’s classic, “Winnie the Pooh.” Through the generosity of benefactors, St. Anthony’s computer program has acquired 12 computers. “We probably have the best computer program in the city of Atlanta,” Sister Patricia noted.

Last year tuition at the school increased 13.5 percent; this year the increase is 8.5 percent. “Parents are doing their fair share,” sister Patricia said, “and the parish is doing its best.” The archdiocesan supplement and the Church’s presence in the predominantly black community of southwest Atlanta is evidence of the broader concern and response of the Church, she said.

“One of the main things the school provides for us is a real visible sign of the commitment of the Catholic Church to the black community and a concern for the education of children in a caring atmosphere that centers on the Gospel of Christ,” Father Wilkinson agreed.

In recent pastorals, “Brothers and Sisters To Us,” “What We Have Seen and Heard,” and “Economic Justice For All,” the bishops of the United States have mandated Church response to societal and economic injustices toward minorities.

Sixty-seven percent of St. Anthony’s 210 students are non-Catholics. Sister Patricia believes providing quality education for Catholics and non-Catholics alike is a tangible answer to the bishops’ call for justice.

In “What We Have Seen and Heard,” issued in 1984, the black bishops of the United States wrote:

“Today the Catholic school still represents for many in the Black community, especially in the urban areas, an opportunity for quality education and character development. It also represents – and this is no less important – a sign of stability in an environment of chaos and flux. It should be a source of legitimate pride that our schools are sought after by many who are not Catholic as well as Catholics because of the religious and moral values considered as part of a quality education.”

Many present-day black Catholics became Catholic because of association with Catholic schools, according to Father Wilkinson. They either went to Catholic schools, or as adults, became Catholic because their children were involved with Catholic schools. “If there were only the parish church, they would not have been attracted to Catholicism,” Father Wilkinson pointed out.

Recently a woman approached Sister Patricia at a gathering and asked, “What is it about your school that makes it so special? I hear so many things about your school and in this day and age that’s not the kind of thing you hear about schools any more.”

“My answer was ‘We have parents who are committed to sending their children for the best education. They are willing to make sacrifices to do so. Others are willing to help those parents,’” Sister Patricia said.

In fact, only eight percent of next year’s $450,000 budget will come from the archdiocese. Over half derives from tuition and other fees. A combination of fundraising, scholarships, gifts and endowments, and parish support makes up the remaining portion.

The school’s board of education is seeking to improve teachers’ salaries, Sister Patricia said. “Although salaries are still far from those given public school teachers, we want to be able to attract quality teachers so our program will continue to prepare our students for tomorrow.” This preparation is already showing results. Each of the past six years, three to five eighth-grade graduates have won academic scholarships to local private schools.

In addition to Charities Drive funds, St. Anthony’s receives help in the form of scholarships funded as part of the 1983 Capital Funds Drive.

The scholarships allow children, who might otherwise not be able to do so, to “benefit from a good, solid program,” Sister Patricia explained, adding that the scholarships also help keep St. Anthony’s from becoming an elite school. “More and more Catholic schools are putting scholarship assistance as a line item in their budget to avoid becoming elitist.”

This year 10 students are receiving tuition assistance through the scholarships. Sister Patricia emphasized, “No one pays nothing. Everyone makes some contribution – just so the education isn’t taken for granted.”

Most frequently, families with single parents benefit from the scholarships. Just as frequently, the school benefits from the participation of those families in its activities. One single mother of three young children, who receives tuition help, supports St. Anthony'’ programs by her presence and is very active in Home and School Association, according to Sister Patricia. A graduate of a Catholic school, she wants the same kind of education for her children.

Sister Patricia believes St. Anthony’s also helps carry out the Church’s commitment to help develop black leadership, and in this respect, supports the Church’s ecumenical efforts. The school is located in the West End, an older Atlanta neighborhood that is being refurbished. “The school lends stability to the neighborhood. It has gone through hard times,” Sister Patricia observed, “but it’s back on a positive swing.”

“I have great hope for the future – with help from parents, the community, the parish, the archdiocese. The school has been around for 75 years. Hey, I look forward to the next 75 years with anticipation. Hope I can come back when I’m old and gray and say, ‘Alright! This is still a good school – still one of the best.’”