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Dear Friends,
We kicked off 2026 with an energized meeting of our board and staff to present a roadmap for the upcoming months featuring new initiatives in our three pillars: inclusive Catholic education, meaningful employment, and community engagement. Because our board is composed of such talented individuals who generously volunteer their time, we want to ensure you have the opportunity to meet each of them. Starting with today’s newsletter, we are excited to introduce them to you one by one.
Earlier this month, representatives from Porto Charities also participated in our annual meeting with Bishop Michael Burbidge; his genuine care for the families we serve is evident in everything he does. We remain deeply grateful for his constant support of our mission, and we are honored to partner with the Diocese of Arlington as we strive to build a culture of belonging in our schools and parishes.
While the snow may have postponed Catholic Schools Week celebrations in our area, we hope the highlights in this newsletter will inspire you to celebrate even more vigorously next week. Truly, there is so much to be joyful about! Students and employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities are being fully embraced at many of our Catholic schools, and we are driven by the hope of ensuring all Catholic schools in our Diocese are places that embrace and value their unique gifts.
We look forward to all we will achieve together in 2026.
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| The Value of Catholic Schools | | Check out this inspiring story published in the Catholic Herald about Parker Lee, a student with Down syndrome who, after attending a Catholic school, made the decision to join the Catholic Church. Parker's story is a reminder of why Catholic schools exist: They are more than places of learning; they are mission fields where the younger generations are invited to encounter Christ. | |
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Parker's Journey
Standing with her parents and Godparents before the baptismal font, she listened as Father John O’Donohue, pastor, walked her through the baptismal promises. When Father O’Donohue asked if she believed in Jesus Christ, Parker didn’t just offer a rehearsed response. Instead, she looked at him with an explosion of joyful protest and exclaimed, “Father, of course I do!” It was a moment of pure faith — one that perfectly captured the heart of a girl who had found her home in the Catholic Church.
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| | First Scholarship Grant Awarded | | | | Porto Charities is proud to highlight our first-ever scholarship recipient: Martha Benitez. She recently completed her Master’s Degree in Special Education at Marymount University. With the knowledge she acquired, she is now supporting students with disabilities at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. Congratulations, Martha! | | "While teaching preschool at St. Anthony, our enrollment of children with disabilities began to grow. My principal and mentor, Mrs. Fry, challenged me: 'Why not grow as a professional? You could take the leap into Special Education.' Marymount University provided the essential tools and strategies I needed, and while the journey required personal sacrifice—losing weekends and vacations—the impact on my students made it worth it. This degree has truly made me a better educator. I enjoy creating lesson plans, helping our general ed teachers with strategies, working with the parents, and supporting our students with disabilities. The scholarship from Porto Charities was a profound honor that motivated me to work even harder." | | | If your office (in a school, parish, or business setting) is looking to grow its team, we have two fantastic individuals looking for part-time opportunities. Tyler O’Hara and Margaret Guttman are eager to bring their skills and dedication to workplaces in our Diocese. | |
| Professional Development for Educators | | |
Please join us at our upcoming disability conference, "From Inclusion to Belonging: Building a Beautiful Life," on Saturday, March 7, at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School. We have a track specially crafted for educators with top-notch presenters and resourceful topics:
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Holy Innovation! AI Tools for Inclusive Catholic Classrooms, presented by Sean Smith. Ph.D., University of Kansas.
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Real-Time Strategies for Engagement, Equity, and Instructional Decision-Making, presented by Michael Fagella-Luby, Ph.D., Texas Christian University.
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Neuroplasticity Mediation and the Mind's Capacity for Growth, presented by Roxanne Miller, educational therapist.
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Supporting Diverse Learners in Catholic and Classical School Settings, presented by Brittany L. Higdon, M.Ed., Higdon Learning Solutions.
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Picture Study as an Invitation to Beauty presented by Danny Flynn, Director of Diocesan and School Relations, Institute for Catholic Liberal Education
Educators in the Diocese of Arlington who attend the conference will receive 5 clock hours towards their recertification.
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| Board Member Spotlight: Meet Maureen Ashby | | |
In honor of Catholic Schools Week, we are proud to introduce the Board Member leading the charge for our Education pillar: Maureen Ashby. As principal of Holy Spirit, Maureen launched and over ten years grew the Expanded Services portion of the school’s Resource Department, making it the primary school in the Diocese with the largest enrollment of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
When our president, Leo Alonso, learned of her retirement, he told our team, 'I’ll give her a few months to enjoy retirement, then I’m putting her to work!' True to her dedication, Maureen joined our board enthusiastically. Since last year, she has volunteered her time generously to ensure more schools across the Diocese have the tools to successfully serve students with various learning needs.
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| | | Maureen Ashby spent the majority of her professional career as an educator and administrator in the Diocese of Arlington. Maureen is an alumnus of James Madison University and earned a Master of Education in School Administration from Marymount University. She is keenly interested in the field of education and teacher preparation. | | Follow us on social media! | | | | |
