In the city of Lawrence, Massachusetts, too often written off by those who don’t know it, Father Paul O’Brien stands at the intersection of faith, education, and healing. As pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish and president of Lawrence Catholic Academy (LCA), he leads a community where faith is not only preached but lived. For more than two decades, Father Paul has worked in one of New England’s toughest urban centers, a city scarred by poverty, addiction, and broken systems yet rich with resilience, culture, and faith.
At the heart of his mission is the belief that education is not only about academics but about restoring dignity, hope, and purpose. “For most kids at LCA, this isn’t just a part of their childhood — it is their childhood. This is the center of it.” he says.
Father Paul didn’t choose Lawrence, Lawrence chose him. “I’m a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston. When I was finishing up my time working for the Archbishop, he said, ‘You’re going to Lawrence.’ And that was it. No discernment on my part. Nothing dramatic. That’s what diocesan priests are supposed to do, you just go where you’re sent.”
When he arrived nearly 25 years ago, he entered a city plagued by economic collapse, racial tension, and fractured trust. “Lawrence, at that time, was on the tail end of decades of racial, ethnic hostility and at times warfare. It was a city where things were collapsing economically and socially. And my mission from the Archbishop was to really serve the people of the neighborhood and of the city, no matter what’s involved, no matter how challenging that is.”
The new Corey C. Griffin Hall at Lawrence Catholic Academy opened in 2025. It is part of a $30M LCA renovation project supported by our foundation. Lawrence Catholic Academy serves more than 475 students from Pre-K through Grade 8.
“Just because the future is not the past doesn’t mean it’s going to be bad. But a lot of people really, really hated me.” That first decade was grueling. Yet today, St. Patrick’s Parish thrives as a vibrant, multilingual, justice-driven faith community. As Father Paul sums it up, “Hope in Lawrence isn’t a concept, it’s a necessity.”
“Hope in Lawrence isn’t a concept, it’s a necessity.”
Part of that hope is Lawrence Catholic Academy. In 2010, Father Paul led the merger of the last three Catholic elementary schools in the city into one strong institution. “We said, we want to be the most excellent, predominantly Hispanic, Catholic elementary inner city school in the country. That’s our goal. We’re not just shuffling deck chairs. We want to be the best.”
The results are undeniable. Every LCA graduate moves on to high school, and 90 percent are accepted into selective institutions. More importantly, they leave with a sense of worth rooted in faith. “With everything we do at LCA, our kids come to know over time that God is real, that God created them, that God has plans for them. That’s why we’re successful.” For the children of Lawrence, education at LCA is more than opportunity. “Education here isn’t a ladder out, it’s a lifeline.”
Undeniable Results
“Education here isn’t a ladder out, it’s a lifeline.”
The connection with Corey C. Griffin Foundation began almost by accident. “I was doing this $30 million capital campaign. One of our trustees, John Driscoll, asked Rob [Griffin] if he’d meet with me. Rob said, ‘I get asked to do this 365 days a year. My bandwidth is zero. But I’ll come.’”
Rob came to Core Unum, the parish’s meal center serving 250,000 meals a year, then walked through LCA’s classrooms. “Like a lot of other people, he was just so moved. He said, ‘I will be part of this, and I will help you get this whole new school.’” As Father Paul recalls, “Rob came in expecting a pitch. He left with a mission.”
“Rob came in expecting a pitch. He left with a mission.”
“I will be part of this, and I will help you get this whole new school.”
What makes the Griffin connection unique is not only their generosity but their presence.
“They ended up being major donors, but beyond that, they lifted the profile of the school. They foster loving, helpful relationships among the leaders of the various institutions they support. There’s this big family around the Corey C. Griffin Foundation, and we make all these new friends. You really do feel like a family.”
That family includes New England Patriots legend Matthew Slater, who has become deeply involved with the students. “Matthew has been in LCA, sitting, counseling kids, praying for these kids, texting me early in the morning, ‘What’s up with this one? What’s up with that one?’ You don’t normally experience that by being a member of a foundation.”
Matthew Slater has become deeply involved, sitting, counseling kids, praying for these kids.
Corey’s Kids
“These are Corey’s kids. That moment changed everything.”
Father Paul
The Foundation’s commitment was more than symbolic. “They contributed three million dollars, and hence the name Corey C. Griffin Hall on the building.” Even construction crews recognized the weight of the work. “When the lettering went up, workers said, ‘This isn’t just a job. This is legacy.’”
For the children, the new school building is more than brick and mortar. It is a daily reminder that they are loved, remembered, and worthy of investment. Father Paul reflects, “The Griffins have gone from grief to legacy—from Corey’s loss to Corey’s school.” Today, with a capacity of 575 students and waiting lists in nearly every grade, LCA has become the most desired school in the community. “Once you become the desired place in the Dominican community, you know, once you’re loved, you’re loved.”
The Foundation’s role extends far beyond the building. Each year, CCGF provides scholarships, holiday events, and backpack drives for LCA students. “It tells these kids, ‘You matter. You are loved beyond this neighborhood,’” Father Paul explains. Through visibility at events like the Winter Ball, through connections to leaders and role models, and through ongoing annual support, now about $250,000, CCGF has given LCA not just funding, but increased credibility.
“The Griffins have gone from grief to legacy—from Corey’s loss to Corey’s school.”
Our Impact
“By raising our profile, they’ve connected us to more people who care. That changes everything for our kids.”
Father Paul
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We believe every child deserves a chance to thrive. The Corey C. Griffin Foundation supports high-impact educational and healthcare programs for youth from under-resourced communities in Greater Boston, serving over 10,000 kids annually.