The good news: The Archdiocese of Saint Louis raised more than $10.9 million in their recent Archdiocesan Developmental Appeal. The bad news: of the $4,081,818 that went to education, none of it ended up at Saint Louis University.

The funds, which were raised from pledges by 82,000 Catholics, go to education, parish and social service programs, benefits and services for the clergy, and for parish and Archdiocesan services.

“We’re not an institution of the Archdiocese,” said Campus Minister Harry O’Rourke. “While we’re in the same geographical boundaries, we are not a ministry of the Archdiocese.” O’Rourke noted that being a Jesuit institution means that SLU answers to a hierarchy including the Provincial Director Frank Reale, S.J., and ending with the Superior General of the Jesuits in Rome. “There is no religious obedience to the Archdiocese, just an appropriate relationship of mutual respect and cooperation,” he said.

While SLU did not receive any funding, the Newman Catholic Student Centers received $250,000. These centers are at area colleges including Washington University, University of Missouri-St. Louis and four area community colleges.

“These ministries need money to help buy housing,” said Chief Development Officer for the Archdiocese Frank Cognata. “While SLU has their campus ministry center on campus, these other schools’ centers are located off-campus.”

Forty-four percent of the ADA funds went to education, with all Catholic high schools receiving funds as well as a number of Catholic elementary school teachers receiving tuition reimbursement.