Tuition-free Catholic school thrives by emphasizing stewardship

Published: 2005-03-31

DREXEL HILL, Pa. (CNS) -- In an era of school closings and consolidations, declining enrollment and skyrocketing costs, St. Andrew the Apostle School in Drexel Hill has made history as the only tuition-free parochial school in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It's an achievement the parishioners attribute to trust in God and a parishwide commitment to stewardship. "Christian stewardship is not a tithing program," said Steve Litz of St. Andrew's stewardship committee. "It's a way of life. It means going beyond the minimum of weekly Mass and putting your envelope in the basket. "Really living the Gospel message means realizing that, opposed to what our culture says, we own nothing," he added. "Everything we have is a gift, and it's how we use those gifts that will determine the final outcome of our salvation. This is not a program designed to get a parish out of the red. It's about deepening our relationship with Christ."

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