23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

Last week we received interesting information from the Diocese of Peoria about new legislation passed in the State of Illinois. Here are a couple of items that might be of interest.

1.Beginning this year, the education expense tax credit will be increased from $500 to $750. As a reminder, the credit is for tuition, book and lab fees and can be claimed for 25% of expenses over $250. So, one would have to spend $3250 in a calendar year on tuition, book and lab fees to claim the whole credit.

2. And most excitingly, a $75 million annual tax credit for scholarships program passed. The program will allow individuals and corporations to donate to scholarship granting organizations and receive a credit on their state taxes in return. SGOs will use these donations to grant scholarships to qualifying students to attend the nonpublic school of their choice.

It would seem that this new legislation will be very helpful to our Catholic Schools and to the parents and benefactors who try to help them. If you are interested in using these tax breaks to assist with tuition or to donate to scholarships I would encourage you to consult your accountant.

Money is always tight in our parochial schools. More and more students who live below the poverty line are applying to attend our schools. One goal of Catholic Schools has always been to help the less fortunate to receive a good education and so they may become leaders in our society. As educational dollars are stretched more and more the Catholic Schools might be reclaiming that mission in a new way. Our children are our future.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark