Our Mission Friends of Catholic Education, Inc. (F.O.C.E.) is an independent organization dedicated to providing a Catholic school education, in Frederick County, for all who seek it.

Dear Friends,

Forgive me for blindly addressing you as friends, but I don’t think you’d be on this website if you did not have some interest in the Friends of Catholic Education, Inc.  And if you do, we count you as our friends!

The Friends of Catholic Education (F.O.C.E) includes a group, clergy and laity, who are committed by conviction and mission to raising funds that can be used to help families who want to provide their children with the opportunity to study in the Catholic schools of Frederick County, Maryland.  In the 20 plus years of our existence, we have provided five local Catholic schools and their families more than $3.3 million in funds  to help with building projects, scholarships, and tuition assistance. 

So F.O.C.E. raises money in order to give it away.  We also honor people who have made significant contributions to Catholic education at the McElroy dinner each fall and we honor Catholic school teachers at their own dinner around Catholic Schools Week each winter.

There are probably as many reasons for doing these things as there are members on our board.  Many of us remember and are grateful for the religious education we received in the classroom, on the playing fields, and in the churches of our own youths.  We are grateful for the instruction in prayer, the preparation for the sacraments, and the development of a faith that enriches our lives.  Many of us have been fortunate enough to see that same growth in the lives of our children, and we want to make that opportunity more of a possibility for more people.

The oldest among us remember parish schools, staffed by sisters, brothers, and priests, that were available to all of us primarily because of the sacrifices of our teachers.   We remember those days with fondness while we recognize that the costs currently associated with Catholic schools are prohibitive for many families.
FOCE wants to diminish, if not eliminate, that prohibition.   That is the reason for our existence.  We have no other reason for being, but we need help.   We hope that you want to help, too.  It is for that reason we call you friends!

Please take a moment and explore this website to learn more about Friends of Catholic Education, Inc. and our mission.  Feel free to get in contact with me, our executive director, or any member of our board if you wish to contribute, volunteer with us, or simply want more information than is provided here.

Sincerely,

Carol Hinds
President