St. Andrew School families bringing renewed vitality to Tipton parish

When people get a taste of something good, something healthy, something growing, they want to be on board.”

Father Anthony Viviano, pastor, St. Andrew Parish in Tipton and Annunciation Parish in California

Catholic Schools Week

Several stories in the Jan. 23, 2026, issue of The Catholic Missourian are part of the observance of Catholic Schools Week, which will be celebrated this year from Sunday, Jan. 25, through Saturday, Jan. 31.

Parishes and each of the 36 Catholic grade schools, three Catholic high schools and one childhood development center in the Jefferson City diocese will have special activities and events for students, families and parishioners to join in celebrating what makes Catholic schools special.

This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”

Catholic schools have an irreplaceable role in the Church’s evangelizing mission. Building on the central goal of Catholic schools to form saints, Catholic schools teach and embrace the whole person — body, mind and spirit. The fact that all members of a Catholic school community share the Christian vision of faith that Christ is the foundation of Catholic education is what unites the school as a faith-filled community.

While faith is the binding element in Catholic schools, the Church reiterates that parents are the first teachers of their children. Holding this tenet, Catholic school communities expand beyond the walls of school buildings to envelop the family as an integral part of the school community. Together teachers, administrators, staff, students and parents fuel the light of faith by integrating culture with faith and faith with living.

When the backbone and the heart are healthy and in sync, the whole body thrives.

Case in point: St. Andrew Parish in Tipton.

“That’s what’s happening here. We’re seeing the fruits of it. The people here, they’ve got the wind beneath their wings,” said Father Anthony Viviano, pastor of St. Andrew Parish and of Annunciation Parish in California.

Fr. Viviano met last fall with the parents of all students in St. Andrew School to affirm them and encourage them to become more involved in the school, the parish and the sacramental life of the Church.

“It’s not like any of these families were completely missing in action,” he noted. “But when you get to send your children here, the imperative is there to participate, to pull your weight.”

He reminded the parents that older parishioners — those who are retired and have residual income — contribute most of the cost of operating the school, which is about $800,000 per year.

“I call these older parishioners the backbone of the parish,” he said. “They’re paying by far the lion’s share.”

Although all are expected to give sacrificially, according to their ability, most families of school-age children don’t have enough money to make large contributions to the parish.

It costs about $8,000 per child for a St. Andrew School education.

“So, the backbone is the people who are consistently there every week and giving to the parish,” said Fr. Viviano.

“That’s how the stewardship model works in our diocese. Older families carry the financial weight while the younger families are raising their children and don’t have that kind of residual income.”

Those school families, he said, are the “beautiful heart of the parish.”

“And all of you need to uphold your end of the covenant,” he told them.

That includes volunteering in the parish as needed, cultivating a culture of prayer and vocational discernment within their families, and taking part as a family in the sacramental life of the Church, including Mass every Sunday.

“When you’re in church, your beautiful families lift everyone up,” Fr. Viviano told the school families. “The people who are make up the backbone get to see you, and it gives them hope for the next generation.”

Those backbone parishioners get to see that the students whose education they’re helping to support aren’t just learning reading, writing and ’rithmetic but are also being immersed in their faith.

In that way, everyone gets closer to God and grows in relationship with him.

“When the backbone and the heart do what they need to do, it’s a win-win, and the parish starts to take off,” Fr. Viviano observed.

The school parents all took his message to heart. The renewed vitality is evident.

“When people get a taste of something good, something healthy, something growing, they want to be on board,” Fr. Viviano noted.

School enrollment is growing. Plans are under way to expand St. Andew’s preschool program due to increased interest.

Weekly Mass attendance among school families has been in the range of 90 or 95 percent since the school year began.

“This is confirmed by the obvious numbers at Mass, and my knowing who is there,” said Fr. Viviano.

“Our parents recognize what the school is doing for their children, and they love that and want it for them,” he said.

Fr. Viviano was quick to note that he doesn’t want parishioners coming to Mass, volunteering or giving sacrificially simply because they have to.

“We want everyone to have a spiritual awakening within them, to really embrace their faith on a personal level, and settle in to the ‘holy habit,’” he said.

Toward that end, he leads the praying of the Rosary, Devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and a special prayer for the school and all of its families each Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. in St. Andrew Church.

No one is obligated to take part in the Tuesday prayers, but it’s something Fr. Viviano has committed to, and anyone is welcome to join him.

About 30 people attend each week and participate.

“But even if nobody else shows up, they all know that every Tuesday, their priest will be there, praying for them,” the priest stated.

He said the more robust buy-in from parents is influencing the life of the school and that of the entire parish.

There’s still a lot of work to do, “but the parish is thriving,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier.”

He eagerly acknowledged the excellent work of Kara Higgins, principal of St. Andrew School, and the dedicated faculty and staff.

“The pastor has to be the leader. He sets the tone,” Fr. Viviano noted. “But the principal and the teachers are in there, day in and day out, fostering this Catholic identity throughout the day.”

Last year, a St. Andrew parishioner came out of retirement after a full career in education to teach at St. Andrew School.

“She said, ‘With so many great things happening in this parish, I couldn’t help but want to be a part of it,’” Fr. Viviano noted.

As Catholic Schools Week approaches, Fr. Viviano asked for prayers for St. Andrew School and every other Catholic school in the diocese.

“Ask God to help us stay committed to the mission of Catholic education and to taking on the sacrifices that we need to take on and persevere,” he suggested.