Vision: Mother Theodore Catholic Academies (MTCA) students will flourish spiritually and academically.
Mission: MTCA lives the mission of the Catholic Church by teaching, serving, and forming students in the heart of Indianapolis.
January 2023
Continued possibilities and opportunities in
2023 for the MTCA
We kicked this school year off with the theme “New Beginnings” to celebrate many new beginnings at Mother Theodore Catholic Academies. The theme spoke to me as the new Executive Director, but also because I like focusing on possibilities. Each day we are given multiple opportunities to create possibilities for a better future. I believe that is what the staff at our Mother Theodore Catholic Academies (MTCA) are doing - creating possibilities for our students and families. I wanted to take a quick moment to give you an update on the work that we have been doing to support staff and students at our MTCA schools.
Coming into this role, I hired Instructional Coaches to work with each school to help enhance instructional strategies and practices and to look at data to determine the needs of each student and the needs of the staff and school. Our instructional coaches have done group walk-throughs at each campus using instructional rubrics to gauge the instructional strategies that are happening in our classrooms. From the walk-through data, our instructional coaches will help to determine what additional professional development is needed at each school. The role of the instructional coach was not new to MTCA, as Notre Dame used instructional coaches, but this year I was able to hire the instructional coaches to help me create a new framework for the MTCA schools. Part of our new framework is a variety of rubrics. I am looking forward to sharing more about our framework in the next few months.
As Executive Director coming on board to the MTCA, I inherited a well thought out strategic plan. Part of the strategic plan outlines professional development that our principals felt was needed and was approved and supported by our Board of Directors. I am pleased that we had two all-staff professional development days in the fall and look forward to two more professional development days with all staff this semester. We will focus on Language Acquisition and The Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teachings.
Another instrumental part of the strategic plan is social media and marketing. We are finalizing our new MTCA brand as well as our website. Once both are complete, I will look to hire a part-time marketing and development person to help enhance our social media presence and work with our community to engage new partners and partnerships with MTCA.
I love the words “possibilities” and “opportunities.” I want to thank you for enhancing the possibilities and opportunities that our students receive at the Mother Theodore Catholic Academies. As we embark upon a new year, I pray that God continues to bless all of us, especially our children and families of the MTCA. Thank you for your support and dedication.
May God bless you always,
Ronda Swartz
Executive Director
Credit Card Fees Update
The Institute for Quality Education (IQE) has been absorbing the credit card fees up to this point. Going forward, to keep administrative fees low and preserve as much money as possible for student scholarships, there will now be an option for donors to include this fee as part of their donation. The fee and the amount donated will be considered a donor's contribution.
Can You Spare Some Time?
Volunteer opportunities abound at Holy Angels- providing treats for an upcoming event, or perhaps an ongoing opportunity such as tutoring or helping in the library. Your time would be so greatly appreciated. You can sign up through SignUpGenius. If you have any questions, please email Mary Kate at mveselik@holyangelscatholicschool.org.
School Happenings
Central Catholic
Central Catholic students celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with their annual program. The Danzas group shared traditional dances and told the story of Juan Diego.
Holy Angels
Prior to Christmas break, some Holy Angels students had the opportunity to visit the Indianapolis Children's Museum. They had a great time learning and exploring
St. Philip Neri
St. Philip Neri was happy to have the Christmas program return this year. All the students did a wonderful job. We are grateful to our music teacher, Mrs. Skinner, for all of her work on the program.
Holy Cross Central
The Holy Cross boys basketball season is underway. The team played two games prior to Christmas break and will resume games this week. We are looking forward to a great season.
A bequest helps you leave a Catholic legacy
When you look back at the end of your life, what would your faith story say about you? If your answer includes your value of stewardship, then consider what your last gift to the Church should say about your faith life. How might you leave a
“Catholic” legacy?
A bequest to MTCA in your will can make a statement of who you were and what you valued throughout your lifetime. It can also bear witness to your loved ones and community at large to your generosity and need to give back a small portion of that which God has blessed you.
A bequest can benefit your favorite Catholic parish, school, ministry or specifically, MTCA, (or any of their endowment funds at the Catholic Community Foundation).
To learn more about leaving a Catholic legacy through a bequest, contact the Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) at 317-236-1482 or ccf@archindy.org.
Amazon Smile donations resulted in $143 for MTCA/NDAA between October 1 and December 31, 2021.
Follow our Schools on Facebook
Central Catholic
Holy Cross
Holy Angels
St. Philip Neri
For more information
- To inquire about donating to MTCA, please contact Valerie Bendel at vbendel@archindy.org or call 317-236-1426.
- To inquire about the strategic direction of our schools, please contact Executive Director, Ronda Swartz at rswartz@archindy.org or call 317 236-7322.
