Dear Parents,

You may be aware of several groups engaged in strategic planning for the future health and vitality of our parish, school and Family Faith Formation programs this year. You may have participated in recent parish online surveys. The school is currently writing a five year plan for improvement focused on its academic and religious programs which is required for its accreditation. Finally, the Sacred Heart Board of Education has spent this year evaluating school and FFF demographic, financial and enrollment trends. We find areas of both strength and weakness and areas of exciting growth which we would like to share with you:

• There will be no school tuition increase in 2021-22.
• The school will begin to implement student one-to-one computing with new Chrome books next year.
• There will be no fee for Sunday Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program.

A tuition reduction in 2018-19, a modest 2% to 3% increase last year, and a tuition freeze for 2021-22 is helping to keep the tuition affordable, making our school tuition comparable to tuition in area schools. Parents who desire a Catholic Education for their child should know that  parish financial aid is available. This is possible by the generous contributions in the Sunday tuition assistance envelope. Please contact our pastor, Fr. Maassen at 636-225-5268 or pastor@sacredheart-vp.


We have many positive areas in our finances. We have a generous and giving parish that support children’s education in the Faith. Tuition does not cover the costs of the school so our parish pays for 22% of the school’s costs. Archdiocesan finance officials reports that this is a reasonable amount and that this amount is affordable for the parish.

Like other schools, Sacred Heart school and Family Faith Formation programs has experienced a declining enrollment over the past ten years. A look at  parish demographics shows a declining population in the area, a decline of Catholics, and a decline in couples ages 25 to 44 which are child-bearing years (from 40% couples in 1990 to 27% today). This has resulted in fewer children being born and baptized (from 150 baptisms in 2005 to 51 in 2019). These trends mean there are fewer children in the parish to join our school and FFF programs, making is imperative that our programs serve every child in the parish.

One opportunity is to support parents with newly baptized children so they will have great spiritual resources to deepen the faith in their family during infant, toddler and preschool years. We believe this will lead to increased participation in our school and FFF programs. We are currently interviewing parishes that are quite successful in this area. We would like to expand Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, give “Baptism Welcome Bags” to new parents, send periodic mailings to families with newly baptized children, and provide meet and greet opportunities so these families can develop a faith community and become connected with the school and FFF programs.


Our preschool is a blessing for the children but is not fulling enrolled.  Ideas are being explored such as extending the multi-child tuition discount to families. So that preschool students feel better connected to the school, they will be included in appropriate school activities and festivities such as Grandparent Day and the Buddy program.

This year our enrollment has grown due to families that found the full time school an attractive choice for their older students. Thank you to school parents and students who have made them feel welcomed this year.

These are a few ideas that we think will help parents in the spiritual formation of their children. You can help by being a Parent Ambassador:

• Tell your friends and neighbors about Sacred Heart. Invite them to join you at Parish functions. 
• Follow Sacred Heart on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. Participate in the conversations. 
• Share Sacred Heart stories on your social media.
• Get involved!
• Pray for the health and well-being of our parish community.
• Pray for the success of our School and Family Faith Formation programs.
• Contact the Board of Education with your ideas.

We wish you and your family a safe and healthy Advent and Christmas season. May we use this time to grow closer to Our Lord Jesus.

Blessings,
Fr. Maassen
Sacred Heart Valley Park Board of Education