Catholic Alumni Partnership

Overview

The Catholic Alumni Partnership of Maine (CAP) was launched in 2016 as a way to help Catholic schools in the Diocese of Portland, both past and present, to reengage and reach out to alumni, keeping Maine Catholic schools flourishing and vibrant for generations to come. The partnership offers individuals the chance to become reconnected to their alma maters and contribute financially to students who wish to attend their school or current students and families struggling to pay tuition. To date, the Catholic Alumni Partnership of Maine Scholarship Fund has received over $60,000 in contributions for students in need.

If you are an alum of any Catholic school in Maine (open or closed school), sign up for free by clicking here. There is no financial obligation to become reconnected with your school, and you will also be able to choose the method and frequency of correspondence.

To make a one-time or recurring donation to your school to pay for a student's book or books, lab supplies, or contribute to his/her tuition, visit the partnership's giving portal. Donations can be as small as a dollar. Every cent helps provide for students in need. For more information, contact Mike Sullivan, development director for the Diocese of Portland, at 207-773-6471 or [email protected].

Making a Difference

"I was shocked. I could not believe it. I’m still sort of speechless because it really helps a lot.”

The emotional reaction spoke volumes. A recent recipient of thousands of dollars from the Catholic Alumni Partnership of Maine was overjoyed that their child would still be able to attend a Catholic school thanks, in part, to the assistance.

“We love our Catholic school experience,” said the individual, who wished to remain anonymous. “The faith, the prayer, the academics, it’s incredible.”

Ensuring the continuation of that experience for students in need is what the Catholic Alumni Partnership of Maine is all about.

“The Catholic Alumni Partnership of Maine began back in 2016 as an outreach to more than 30,000 alumni of Catholic schools in Maine,” said Dave DiNapoli, former development director for the Diocese of Portland. “We wanted to provide former students with an opportunity to become re-engaged with schools that have given them so much.”

Through the partnership, alums can restore a line of contact with the school and fellow classmates while also having the chance to contribute to a fund for students who cannot afford to attend Catholic schools or students in financial need at their alma mater.

“We are able to award these funds to help pay tuition and give anyone who hopes to provide a Catholic education to their children a chance,” said Marianne Pelletier, superintendent of Maine Catholic Schools.

Over $60,000 have already been donated to the Catholic Alumni Partnership of Maine, all of which will be distributed to local students and families in need.

“Through reengaging our alumni, our schools will continue to be vibrant institutions with top-notch academics and faith formation where all students can flourish,” said DiNapoli.

“Receiving this ongoing support from the many alums who have continued on in life and achieved great success is a powerful message to current and future students at our schools,” said Pelletier.

Mission of Maine Catholic Schools

Although our Catholic schools offer many different benefits—academic excellence, arts education, enrichment activities, athletics and more—the true value of a Catholic education is that it is a total education. Our schools pursue more than achievements; they strive to reach the whole person, including each student’s soul.

In the Diocese of Portland, our attention to both knowledge and faith make a Catholic education one of the best gifts you could ever give your children. From preschool through graduation, students in our Catholic schools grow in faith, knowledge, character, and grace, thriving in an atmosphere where they feel respected and loved by their teachers and peers.

Our families also feel supported as they work to educate their children and instill in them the truth of the Catholic faith. Parents and grandparents are the primary educators responsible for our children’s faith. Our Catholic schools joyfully partner with these families on that journey.

For more information about Catholic schools in Maine today, visit the Catholic schools section of our website.

Tradition of Maine Catholic Schools

Since students first walked into St. Joseph School in Ellsworth in 1854, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Portland have inspired students to feel welcomed and cherished for their unique gifts as they become faith-filled Christians, creative and critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and contribute confidently to our Church and communities. Here is a list of the Catholic schools that have opened in Maine since the conclusion of World War II:

1945
St. Joseph School, Waterville
Sacred Heart Juniorate, Winthrop

1946
St. Dominic High for Girls, Lewiston

1947
Sacred Heart School, North Caribou
St. Joseph School, Farmington
St. Mary School, Old Town
The Harding Public School, St. John Plantation
The Roosevelt Public School, St. John Plantation

1948
Marie Joseph Academy, Biddeford Pool
St. Anthony High School, Kennebunkport
The Montfort School, St. Agatha

1949
St. Matthew School, Limerick
The Acadia School, Madawaska
The Evangeline School, Madawaska
Oblate Seminary, Bar Harbor

1950
La Mennais College, Alfred
The Market Street School, Fort Kent

1952
Sacred Heart School, Auburn
Madawaska High School, Madawaska

1953
St. Francis College, Biddeford Pool
Sacred Heart School, Waterville

1969
St. Dominic Regional High School, Lewiston
Catholic Consolidated School, Waterville
Catherine McAuley High School, Portland
St. Athanasius & St. John School, Rumford
St. Thomas School, Sanford

1992
St. James School, Biddeford

1993
St. Agnes School, Pittsfield

2000
All Saints School, Bangor

2001
Saint Dominic Academy, Auburn/Lewiston

In addition, several other current schools were opened earlier, like St. John’s Catholic School in Brunswick (1894), Mount Merici Academy in Waterville (1911), St. Michael School in Augusta (1914), Cheverus High School in Portland (1926) and Holy Cross School in South Portland (1937). St. Brigid School in Portland opened in 2007 as a consolidated school of St. Joseph (1915) and St. Patrick School (1923).