Scholarships

Christ Our Hope Scholarships

During his apostolic visit to the United States, the Holy Father encouraged seminarians and young religious:  “Dear brothers and sisters, in the finest traditions of the Church in this country, may you also be the first friend of the poor, the homeless, the stranger, the sick and all who suffer.  Act as beacons of hope, casting the light of Christ upon the world, and encouraging young people to discover the beauty of a life given completely to the Lord and his Church…  All of you have a special place in my heart.  Never forget that you are called to carry on, with all the enthusiasm and joy that the Spirit has given you, a work that others have begun, a legacy that one day you too will have to pass on to a new generation. Work generously and joyfully, for he whom you serve is the Lord!”   Homily during the Mass for Clergy and Religious at St. Patrick's Cathedral. 

This year, we will present $500 scholarships to four brother Knights from our parish who are preparing for the priesthood:  , , , and .   Please email them your encouragement and gratitude and continue to keep them in your prayers.

Servant of God Michael J. McGivney Scholarship

The Servant of God Michael J. McGivney Scholarship was established to recognize a fifth grade student at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School who exemplifies the love, commitment and vision of the founder of the Knights of Columbus.  The scholarship award is for $100.00 to be applied to the student’s tuition for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade years for a total scholarship award of $300.00.  Selection is based on essay questions on family, faith, and charity assigned to fifth grade students to write in class. 

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, recently stated, “As a young curate at Saint Mary’s Church in New Haven, Father McGivney became keenly aware of the laity’s need to be actively and fully engaged in the life of the Church by exercising virtue, cultivating prayer, and caring for others. He had a deep appreciation for the special characteristics of the lay vocation as being thoroughly immersed in the spheres of the family, civil society, and public life. He made it his goal to develop practical ways of ensuring that faith could be put into concrete action: especially by providing for the material needs of orphans, widows, the imprisoned, alcoholics, the unemployed, and the destitute. However, it is sometimes easy to forget that Father McGivney’s conviction was based on an even more fundamental insight: namely, that our concern for the needy and our perseverance in charitable works will eventually become attenuated and deprived of their deeper meaning if they are not rooted in faith — faith understood as the indwelling of Holy Trinity in our hearts through divine grace as we renew our “Yes” each day to the person of Jesus Christ.”

Brother Barnabas McDonald Essay Contest

 

This year, we are sponsoring an essay contest for altar servers from Our Lady of Angels and St. Thomas Aquinas School.  To participate, please write a 300 word essay on “What happens during the Liturgy of the Mass.”  The council will award a $100 prize to a participant in each of the three categories:  1)  third – fifth grade, 2) sixth - eighth grade, and 3) ninth - twelfth grade.  Interested altar servers are welcome to submit essays with their names, parents’ names, and telephone number to  by May 4, 2008.  Awards will be presented at our Summer Picnic.

Brother Barnabas McDonald, F.S.C established the Squires on August 4, 1925. According to Brother Barnabas, “The supreme purpose of the Columbian Squires is character building.” Squires have fun and share their Catholic faith, help people in need, and enjoy the company of friends in social, family, athletic, cultural, civic and spiritual activities.  Through their local circle, Squires work and socialize as a group of friends, elect their own officers, and develop into Catholic leaders.

Archangel Scholarships

In honor of the Archangels, we are offering three $200 scholarships for young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years old.

St. Gabriel Scholarship, which will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated a clear willingness to communicate and spread the faith.

St. Michael Scholarship, which will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated a clear willingness to defend and protect the faith.

St. Raphael Scholarship, which will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated a clear willingness to live their Catholic faith by helping the sick, poor and needy.

Please submit nominations to our Youth Life Director, , by May 4, 2008.

Young people who meet the following eligibility requirements may be nominated:  1)  ages 10 through 19, 2) actively enrolled in an education program, parents must be registered parishioners at Our Lady of Angels parish, and 4) baptized.  To learn how to prepare and submit a nomination package, please see Archangel Scholarship Rules. 

Learn more about the angels today!

Fr. Michael J. Bader Memorial Scholarship

The Virginia State Council is offering the Fr. Michael J. Bader Memorial Scholarships to children of Knights who are in good standing in their council, or deceased Knights who were in good standing at the time of their death. Applicants should be graduating from high school and planning to enter their first year of higher education.

Applicants have to complete three forms: the student and family complete the first form; the Financial Secretary of the father's council completes the second form; and the student's principal completes the third form. Scholarship recipients are determined by the student’s academic achievement; church, community, and school activities; and financial need. Applicants should submit completed forms to no later than March 14, 2008.