A message from Laura Blake: Our voices matter for Pennsylvania’s children
10/06/2026
As a Catholic school community, we are united by a sacred mission: to form young people in faith, knowledge, virtue, and service, while helping every child recognize the God-given gifts and dignity entrusted to them. We are profoundly grateful to the parents, educators, pastors, parishioners, alumni, benefactors, and friends whose prayers, sacrifices, and generosity make this mission possible each day across the 26 Catholic schools of the Diocese of Erie.
Today, I ask you to once again stand together in support of our children and families.
A new federal tax credit program has been created that could bring significant educational assistance to K–12 students throughout Pennsylvania. For Pennsylvania families to benefit, however, Governor Josh Shapiro must opt our Commonwealth into the program by December 31, 2026.
Through this program, generous individuals could contribute up to $1,700 each year to qualifying scholarship-granting organizations and receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. Those charitable gifts could then become scholarships and educational assistance for eligible students and families, helping with expenses such as tuition, school supplies, and other educational needs.
For families throughout the Diocese of Erie, this could be a tremendous blessing.
Our Catholic schools partner with parents in the sacred responsibility of educating their children. We know the sacrifices families make to choose a Catholic education—an education rooted in the Gospel, centered on Jesus Christ, and committed to the formation of the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. Additional scholarship resources could ease those sacrifices, open our doors to more families, and help ensure that financial circumstances do not stand in the way of parents seeking the education they believe is best for their children.
This opportunity extends beyond Catholic education. Pennsylvania’s participation would benefit eligible students and families in both public and non-public schools, strengthening educational opportunities throughout our Commonwealth. If Pennsylvania does not opt in, these resources will instead benefit students and families in other participating states.
I respectfully ask you to contact Governor Shapiro and urge him to say “yes” to Pennsylvania’s children and families by opting into this program before the December 31 deadline.
Take action
Please take just a few minutes to contact Gov. Shapiro and ask him to opt Pennsylvania into the program before the Dec. 31 deadline.
Contact Gov. Shapiro and make your voice heard
We have already witnessed what is possible when our Catholic community responds with faith and purpose. Your past advocacy on behalf of EITC helped make a meaningful difference for students and families across Pennsylvania. Today, we have another opportunity to be faithful witnesses—to speak for our children, support parents, and advance the common good.
Thank you for your prayers, your advocacy, and your steadfast commitment to Catholic education. May God continue to bless our students, our families, our schools, and all those who so generously support this sacred ministry.
Our voices matter. Together, guided by faith and united in mission, we can make a difference.
With heartfelt gratitude and prayers,
Laura Blake
Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Diocese of Erie
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