LifeSigns, July-Aug 2012 - Sisters of the Holy Cross

advancing the mission
A “hands-on” principal
at St. Martin of Tours
School in Gaithersburg,
Maryland, Sister Sharon
Ann Mihm helps these
kindergarteners clean
their desks with shaving
cream at the end of the
school year.
Investing in the future
Grants provide scholarships in Maryland
“Mary (not her real name) has made significant
progress in kindergarten this year, although she
still continues to struggle in language arts. Her
parents are illiterate which makes it hard for her
to receive help at home,” says Sister Sharon Ann
Mihm, principal of St. Martin of Tours School in
Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Mary is the youngest of the nine children from
the five families who have been able to attend
the school thanks to a 2011–12 Ministry With
the Poor grant of $8,000. “If we had not received
funding for these students, more than likely they
would not have been able to attend our school
this year,” she says.
With a current enrollment of nearly 250
students, the school is committed to empowering
students for the future with strong academic and
technology programs. Equally important is its
dedication to helping students develop strong
character traits shaped by Gospel values and
Catholic tradition.
The parish gives tuition discounts to families,
but does not have money to help pay the school’s
expenses. Fundraisers, including bingo, and
grants, such as from Ministry With the Poor, must
make up the difference. Family involvement is
key to the school’s success as well as the students’.
Each parent is required to give at least 30 hours of
service during the school year.
“Grants such as the one that we receive from
the Sisters of the Holy Cross actually help to pay
for some of our low-income families’ discounted
tuition fees,” explains Sister Sharon Ann.
Many students have benefitted: “One boy,
whose mother died when he was in the fourth
grade, is now entering grade seven. He is doing
beautifully and has a great sense of humor,” she
says. “The students whose father abandoned
them have made tremendous progress. And one
family has two girls attending the school who
are excellent students; their mother, who was a
long-term substitute in our Pre-K program, just
completed her course work and hopes to get a
teaching position in Montgomery County.
“The generosity of the congregation, as well
as the benefactors who have helped to make the
Ministry With the Poor funds available to those
of us serving the poor, have touched the hearts of
our families,” says Sister Sharon Ann. “Mine has
been touched as well. Thank you so very much!
It is my hope that someday we will be able to
break the cycle of poverty in our midst.”¡
july / august 2012 ¡ LifeSigns
27