More Catholic schools closing across US

[geezerbob]

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080412/ap_on_re_us/catholic_school_closures_1

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - For 46 years, crime, recessions and hurricanes proved no threat to the daily ritual of St. Monica School, where the entire blue-and-white uniformed student body gathered outside each morning to join in prayer.

Come June, though, the tradition will fade away, and “amen” will close St. Monica’s morning recitations for the last time. The school, a home-away-from-home for mostly minority students, will close.

As Pope Benedict XVI next week makes his first trip to the U.S. as pontiff, Catholic schools across the country, long a force in educating the underprivileged regardless of their faith, face the same fate as St. Monica.

 

[Christy_Beth]

It’s sad, really. But catholic schools are hit by the same economy as the rest of us.

 

[drafdog]

And this trend continues in spite of multiple studies which indicate that Catholic schools are the most cost effective way to catechize. No other program provides better results in terms of Sunday mass attendance, financial support of the Church, etc. It turns out more stable marriages, better prayer life and a host of other benefits.
We’d be better off closing the churches in order to keep the schools open.

Matthew

 

[stbruno]

I pray for our schools all the time. Unfortunately, we need school vouchers to help offset expenses. For more than 20 years, I have gone to our legislators with this. It’s a hard nut to crack with the pac groups working against them. More reasons to pray.

 

[vern_humphrey]

Our problem is we don’t value our Catholic schools. The schools are the parish’s problem, not the Church’s problem. And the Bishops neglect them.

Somehow we have wonderful Catholic hospitals – but can’t afford schools. The problem is the bishops value hospitals and not schools.

 

[Teelynn]

I pray for our schools all the time. Unfortunately, we need school vouchers to help offset expenses. For more than 20 years, I have gone to our legislators with this. It’s a hard nut to crack with the pac groups working against them. More reasons to pray.

With all the causes we need to pray for (this being of course one of them) it is really at times for me discouraging. I know I shouldn’t be discouraged as all prayer is powerful, and all in God’s time, I have to push my will aside (seems I am doing this alot) and trust in Jesus. I guess sometimes you just feel beaten down.:crying:

 

[vern_humphrey]

In every endevor, we must prioritize. The Church’s number one priority should be to save lives – by seriously working to end abortion.

The second priority, once the children are born should be to educate them.

 

[buffalo]

Most schools are about 6.00 - 12.00 away per envelope/family a week in being tuition free. That’s the cost a few hamburgers. Unnaffordable, I think not.

Two reasons for Catholic School Problems. Fix one and the other will resolve itself.

Increase Catholic Identity and teach unabashedly orthodox Catholicism.

 

[Nohome]

Somehow we have wonderful Catholic hospitals – but can’t afford schools. The problem is the bishops value hospitals and not schools.

Ah yes, but are not Catholic hospitals profitable? I think you are correct, but the bishops are blinded by the bottom line.

Nohome

 

[vern_humphrey]

Most schools are about 6.00 - 12.00 away per envelope/family a week in being tuition free. That’s the cost a few hamburgers. Unnaffordable, I think not.

Two reasons for Catholic School Problems. Fix one and the other will resolve itself.

Increase Catholic Identity and teach unabashedly orthodox Catholicism.

Yes! For a few bucks more, we could have flourishing Catholic schools.

Let the bishops lead us Let them explain to us why we need Catholic schools. Let them say forthrightly, “You may not have children. Your church may be too small to have a school. But you have a Catholic duty to support Catholic schools.”

Then let them show us the beef – expand existing schools and start new ones.

 

[kristie_m]

Oh…this one is such a sore spot for me. We’re a single income household with 3.2 kids (literally, three and another on the way!)

My oldest is due to start kindergarten in the fall, and I cannot afford six hundred dollars per month to send her to Catholic school. (This is with the contributing members discount, by the way)

The school offers a scholarship program…but given that in order to eventually have all of my kids in Catholic school I’d be looking at $1800 per month in a few years…even with a partial scholarship, I see no way to be able to afford that, short of winning the lottery.

Yes, it would be lovely if each family in our church would shell out a few more dollars a week for Catholic Education, but we can’t even meet our ADA goal. It’s just sad.

 

[vern_humphrey]

Oh…this one is such a sore spot for me. We’re a single income household with 3.2 kids (literally, three and another on the way!)

My oldest is due to start kindergarten in the fall, and I cannot afford six hundred dollars per month to send her to Catholic school. (This is with the contributing members discount, by the way)

The school offers a scholarship program…but given that in order to eventually have all of my kids in Catholic school I’d be looking at $1800 per month in a few years…even with a partial scholarship, I see no way to be able to afford that, short of winning the lottery.

Yes, it would be lovely if each family in our church would shell out a few more dollars a week for Catholic Education, but we can’t even meet our ADA goal. It’s just sad.

That is because we have no committed leadership. If the bishops would call on us, we would respond. But they won’t.

 

[kristie_m]

That is because we have no committed leadership. If the bishops would call on us, we would respond. But they won’t.

But what should the Bishops do? How do you convince people that they need to dig a little deeper? Good old Catholic guilt doesn’t seem to do it anymore.

 

[buffalo]

This Bishop led - Diocese of Wichita - It can be done.

The Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wichita is the second largest school system in Sedgwick County and the ninth largest in the state. There are 24 pre-schools, 34 elementary schools, 23 middle schools, and four high schools serving 10,553 students.
The Catholic school system in the Diocese of Wichita is unique, we are the only school system in the United States in which parishes offer to the children of active Catholic parishioners a tuition-free grade school and high school education. All Catholic schools in the diocese are accredited. In addition:

• Every teacher is certified by the State of Kansas
• 90% of high school seniors enroll in college
• Catholic schools enroll more than 1,800 minority students
• Catholic schools enroll more than 2,500 students from low income families
• The Catholic schools in the diocese of Wichita are recognized as a leader in high standards, innovation, ongoing staff development, and especially for the stewardship way of life.

 

[vern_humphrey]

But what should the Bishops do? How do you convince people that they need to dig a little deeper? Good old Catholic guilt doesn’t seem to do it anymore.

First of all, they should accept responsibility. We need Catholic schools and we can have them only if the bishops take the lead.

Second, they should try. They should extend us the courtesy of asking us, before they accuse us of not responding.

Third, they should communicate. They should tell us how important Catholic schools are, and keep the issue in front of us.

Fourth, they should show us the fruits of our giving.

 

[kristie_m]

This Bishop led - Diocese of Wichita - It can be done.

The Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wichita is the second largest school system in Sedgwick County and the ninth largest in the state. There are 24 pre-schools, 34 elementary schools, 23 middle schools, and four high schools serving 10,553 students.
The Catholic school system in the Diocese of Wichita is unique, we are the only school system in the United States in which parishes offer to the children of active Catholic parishioners a tuition-free grade school and high school education. All Catholic schools in the diocese are accredited. In addition:

• Every teacher is certified by the State of Kansas
• 90% of high school seniors enroll in college
• Catholic schools enroll more than 1,800 minority students
• Catholic schools enroll more than 2,500 students from low income families
• The Catholic schools in the diocese of Wichita are recognized as a leader in high standards, innovation, ongoing staff development, and especially for the stewardship way of life.

Wow…that IS impressive. It seems it’s time to take this issue up with our Bishop. No guarentees, of course, but it doesn’t hurt to pursue it. Thanks for the info.

 

[vern_humphrey]

Wow…that IS impressive. It seems it’s time to take this issue up with our Bishop. No guarentees, of course, but it doesn’t hurt to pursue it. Thanks for the info.

If the Diocese of Wichita can do it, anyh diocese can do it. In the case of small communities, like mine, we may not have our own Catholic schoo, but we can donate to others. Just ask us, Bishop, just ask us.

 

[KathleenElsie]

Oh…this one is such a sore spot for me. We’re a single income household with 3.2 kids (literally, three and another on the way!)

My oldest is due to start kindergarten in the fall, and I cannot afford six hundred dollars per month to send her to Catholic school. (This is with the contributing members discount, by the way)

The school offers a scholarship program…but given that in order to eventually have all of my kids in Catholic school I’d be looking at $1800 per month in a few years…even with a partial scholarship, I see no way to be able to afford that, short of winning the lottery.

Yes, it would be lovely if each family in our church would shell out a few more dollars a week for Catholic Education, but we can’t even meet our ADA goal. It’s just sad.

The cost and being a one income family is what caused us to look into home schooling. Next year will be year five and going well.

 

[kristie_m]

The cost and being a one income family is what caused us to look into home schooling. Next year will be year five and going well.

I had considered that too, but I am neither qualified nor disciplined enough to homeschool my kids. Good suggestion, though.

 

[Lovemyfaith]

in order to eventually have all of my kids in Catholic school I’d be looking at $1800 per month in a few years…even with a partial scholarship, I see no way to be able to afford that, short of winning the lottery.

Have you written to your bishop? I would to question him about the cost of a catholic education in your diocese.