The Good News Fall Winter 2025

The Good News Newsletter is a periodic publication that provides updates on the Community of Saints Regional Catholic School.  We currently distribute to over 3000 alums, families and friends. We would like to continually increase our distribution.  So, if you know of any alums, families or friends of St. Matthew’s who are not currently receiving The Good News, please contact us with their mailing information.

The-Good-News-Fall-Winter-2025.pdf

• COS Students Out Pace National Average Growth in Math & Reading. A year ago, we reported impressive growth in reading skills for Community of Saints(COS) students in grades K-3. This year, there’s even more good news to share. In 2025, standardized testing showed that COS students in grades K-8 significantly outpaced the national average for growth in reading and math. For the last four years, COS has partnered with the national nonprofit, AchievementNetwork (ANet), to help boost student learning. Anna McKinney, ANet’s Director of SchoolSupport, agrees the test results are a big deal.
• A Message from Fr. Paul. When Fr. Steve Adrian asked me to be the Canonical Administrator of Community ofSaints School (and Archbishop Hebda, who appointed me, agreed), I honestly did not know how I could fit it into an already busy ministry life. I also knew I could not say “no.” It has turned out to be one of the great blessings of my priestly ministry over these last couple of years. Just walking through the doors and being greeted by whoever is in the hallways — usually with little smiles and bright eyes — lifts the spirit. Working with Bridget Kramer and the whole leadership team, including the board and other supporters, has been wonderful.
• Message from Principal Kramer. On August 27th, while COS staff were meeting to prepare for the new school year, we learned of the heartbreaking tragedy at Annunciation.In response, our staff immediately gathered in the church to pray, and Father Paul led us in a solemn and comforting Mass. Our hearts remain with the Annunciation community as they continue to heal. We are inspired and filled with hope as we witness how the Catholic community — and so many beyond — have come together to support and walk alongside one another through this unthinkable time.
• Feature Families. Rivera Family, Huerta Bueno Family, Mata Family
• Supporting Students and Families Helps Boost Achievement. To achieve the test results Community of Saints saw last year takes more than rigorous academic instruction. COS has one of the highest rates for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch in the Archdiocese, which means the school needs to go beyond the classroom to boost achievement. Here is a closer look at some of the services the school provides to help students succeed.
• Annual Report. Schools with demographics similar to Community of Saints (COS) encounter some hefty obstacles to academic success, so when I heard last year’s standardized tests showed COS students learning at an accelerated rate, I wanted to share that news. I also took the opportunity to look at what it takes to get those results. Everyone knows classroom instruction is crucial to student achievement. The extra lift at COS is meeting students’ needs beyond the classroom. In a faith-based, loving and safe environment, COS constantly strives to remove barriers to academic achievement and create opportunities for all students to develop their unique, God-given talents. Your generous gifts to Alums & Friends & Families make this important work possible. At COS, where 96% of students receive financial assistance, your donations are truly changing the lives of children and their families. Thank you for your continued support. — Maggie Lee, Editor
  To view our annual report of the generous contributions, please download the PDF. TGN Fall 25 Annual Report.pdf
• Celebrate a Loved One With a Gift in Their Name. This Christmas, give a gift in honor or in memory of someone in your life. One hundred percent of your donation goes to support tuition assistance for students at Community of Saints. Mail your gift to:
  Alums & Friends & Families Community of Saints
  335 Hurley St. E.
  West St. Paul, MN 55118
  Make checks payable to A&F&F.
  You can also give online by visiting https://www.communityofsaints.org/ways-to-give
• DOUBLE YOUR GIFT! All gifts made by December 31, 2025, WILL BE MATCHED DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR up to $12,700. This matching grant is made possible thanks to the generous support of St. Matt’s Class of ’57 Breakfast Club. Call Natalie Hartung, Advancement Director, at 651-457-2510 for more information.