February 2, 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Praised be the name of Jesus!

After much prayerful discernment and having sought the counsel of Bishop Olmsted, the Catholic Schools Office, and members of our parish’s Finance Committee, it is with a heavy heart that I have decided to close our school at the end of this academic year. Within the framework of responsible stewardship, the growing school subsidy has reached a level which compromises the financial and pastoral well-being of our wider parish community.

Several factors can be sited as the main causes for our declining enrollment which currently stands at 60 students. Perhaps the most pressing factor is our nation’s struggling economy. Even with various scholarship opportunities,
increasing numbers of families are reporting an inability to afford the remaining tuition obligation. Another factor is that the demographics within our parish boundaries have seen a significant shift over time to lower income families
who are hard pressed to expend any monies on their children’s education when they are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for basic household expenses. There is also evidence of fewer children living within our parish boundaries. Consequently, there has also been a drop in enrollment in the public grade schools located within our parish boundaries.

Our school has brought many blessings to many people over the years. I count myself among those people and will greatly miss the myriad ways in which the children and their families have enriched my priestly ministry. Thank you for your presence here and your contributions to our uniquely faith-filled school community.

As you discern where to enroll your children for the 2011-2012 academic year, I pray that you will give first priority to the consideration of the other fine parochial schools in our Diocese. We have already begun communicating with
the other parochial schools’ administrations in order that your inquiries will be warmly received.

Striving to be faithful to God’s will, we can be confident that our Lord will allow us to move forward strengthened with His grace and peace. And pleased be assured of my ongoing prayers for you and your families as I ask for yours.

In Christ,
(Rev.) T. McGuire
Pastor

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Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 7:30am to 4:00pm, Friday 7:30am to 3:00pm.
                    

School Office is now located in the bottom floor of the two story building on the south side of campus. Off Roosevelt Street.