Msgr. Beattie Tuition Assistance Program

The Monsignor James T. Beattie Tuition Assistance Program began with a donation from Al and Mary Ann Pierce of Alexandria, VA. Al Pierce met Fr. Beattie in 1961 at St. Ambrose in Cheverly, MD, on his first assignment after ordination. Al and Mary Ann offered to inaugurate this scholarship in thanksgiving for all that Fr. Beattie meant to the Pierce family, in recognition of his enduring love for children, and out of gratitude for all the blessings the priests, staff, and people of Our Lady of Lourdes bestowed on Fr. Beattie.

“One of the aspects of life as a priest that Msgr. Beattie cherished was helping schoolchildren. That was true when I knew him at St. Ambrose in Cheverly in the 1960s, and it carried all the way through to his years at Our Lady of Lourdes. I am sure he is smiling to know that good people are helping children today in his name. Mary Ann and I are happy to be part of that effort.” - Al Pierce

At Our Lady of Lourdes, we were blessed to have Monsignor Beattie in residence for many years. His passion for Catholic education and the teaching of the Catholic faith to our youth was evident in everything Monsignor Beattie said and did as a part of our school community. Msgr. Beattie understood the wonderful works taking place in Our Lady of Lourdes and supported our efforts to make sure that our doors could be open to all who wanted a Catholic education. Everyone who had the pleasure of ever sitting down and talking to Msgr. Beattie was touched by his honesty, faith, and his life-long devotion to being a servant of God. Msgr. Beattie wanted the best for all the students at Our Lady of Lourdes and was often asking what the children might need to make their lives better, their minds brighter, and their hearts fuller with the love and grace of our Lord.

This tuition assistance program is generously funded by parishioners, parents of current and former students, alumni, and the many friends of Msgr. Beattie. These monies are used to provide financial assistance to families desiring a Catholic education for their children. The Archdiocese of Washington provides assistance for many families, but that is often not enough. At Our Lady of Lourdes, we work to find the resources for our families to ensure that they can afford the Catholic education they desire for their students. We look for families committed to excellence, faith, and service and who want to be part of a strong Catholic community striving to provide a strong foundation in the Catholic faith and academic excellence.

Your donation to the Msgr. Beattie Tuition Assistance Program will directly impact the future of many students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend Our Lady of Lourdes. Your support enables us to continue to provide quality instruction to our students, instilling a love of learning and a love of God, and teaching our students to care for one another as our Father in Heaven cares for each of us. Thank you for supporting the mission of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and the shared vision with Msgr. Beattie to provide a Catholic education for all those who seek it.