Office of Catholic Schools - Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

Our 2025 #iGiveCatholic Project

Invest in Confidence, Courtesy & Character: Help Centre Students with “Minute with Ms. Mary” Workbooks.

We believe that academic excellence and leadership formation go hand in hand with character, courtesy, and confidence. This year, during our #iGiveCatholic campaign, we are excited to partner with Mary Chauvin of the Etiquette Center of the South to bring the Minute with Ms. Mary® workbook series into our schools.

These workbooks aren’t just about table manners or polite words; they’re about equipping students with life skills that empower them to navigate social situations, build respectful relationships, and step into leadership with grace. Ms. Chauvin describes it best:

“These books were created to help guide your child … Whether you read each page together or let your child explore on their own … every lesson comes from a place of care and understanding.”

We are seeking support to purchase Book 1: “From Shy to Sure in Minutes – Greetings and Introductions” and Book 2: “You Can Say That Again – The Art of Conversation and Mannerly Words”. According to the program description:

• Each workbook includes 20+ micro-etiquette lessons, 20+ activities, an end-of-book assessment, and an achievement recognition component. 

• Book 1 focuses on greetings and introductions – foundational skills that set the tone for how students carry themselves. 

• Book 2 addresses conversation and respectful expression – key to leadership, collaboration, and positive school culture

Student Benefit

• Many of our students, from 5th grade through high school, are already engaging deeply in leadership roles (Beta Club officers, student ambassadors, etc.). These workbooks will help them refine how they present themselves, speak to others, and take initiative.

• In a time when digital communication, social media, and fast-paced interaction challenge traditional interpersonal skills, we want our students to stand out not only academically, but as courteous, confident young men and women of character.

• This initiative aligns perfectly with our diocesan mission: fostering students who are not only intellectually equipped but socially and morally grounded.

• By providing both the content (workbooks) and classroom support, our schools will be able to integrate these lessons into homeroom, student leadership meetings, or dedicated character-formation sessions, extending the impact beyond a one-off event to sustained growth.

What Your Gift Will Accomplish

With your donation to our #iGiveCatholic campaign, you will:

• Enable the purchase of Book 1 and Book 2 of the Minute with Ms. Mary® series for all participating diocesan students.

• Ensure each student receives a printed workbook they can actively engage with — lessons, activities, assessments, and recognition — making the learning interactive and memorable.

• Support follow-up classroom implementation and recognition of student growth, so the investment doesn’t stop at distribution but becomes part of our ongoing leadership and character formation effort.

• Help us create a ripple effect: confident students treat others with respect, build stronger peer culture, represent our schools and diocese positively, and carry those traits into family, community, and eventual careers.

Call to Action

Join us in empowering our students for success, in the classroom, in life, and in service. Every dollar you give today through #iGiveCatholic directly advances character. Education resources like these workbooks helps our students step into their roles as courteous, respectful leaders of tomorrow.

Let’s make this investment together so our students can walk into any room with confidence, speak with kindness, and treat every person and opportunity with dignity.

Thank you for your generosity and for believing in our mission.

The child who is educated in all matters of civility has the distinct advantage in life successes and in making the world a better place for all. 

Mary Chauvin, Founder

Etiquette Center of the South™

We sincerely thank you for considering a donation to this noble cause.