St. Mary School can’t be closed
I was saddened when I heard the news that St. Mary (Nativity) School was closing and approximately 16 positions were going to be eliminated. Then, I was angered when I read the Catholic Accent (Thursday, June 10, 2010) of the staggering amount of money that had been pledged for the “Today’s Challenge-Tomorrow’s Hope” Capital and Endowment Campaign for the Diocese of Greensburg.
The campaign has reached $46,523,356 in gifts and pledges from more than 20,000 individuals and families. Their goal was $45,000,000.
It is beyond my imagination why one diocese would need this amount of money.
Money should be raised to support Catholic education like Father Micah and the Diocese of Greensburg so strongly believe in. How will these 16 employees be able to meet their obligations to this campaign if they are unemployed?
The $241,000 deficit that St. Mary (Nativity) School carried was a reason for the diocese to close its doors. I am asking parishners to withdraw their pledges and donate their money to efforts to reopen St. Mary (Nativity) School. I don’t feel that the capital campaign needs that kind of money. You help those at home before you help those away.
We have three Catholic churches within one mile of each other. It is my feeling that if two schools within one mile of each other cannot be sustained, what will the diocese say next?
How can three churches remain open and be supported by the diocese?
What church will they pick to become the regional church, as they did by making St. John’s the regional school?
Our church teaches us to be kind, loving and giving. I feel that the Board of Trust Administrators should not have made this deceitful decision without the involvement of the principal, parent advisory group of St. Mary (Nativity) School or the teachers.
They should have been more involved in something of this importance.
The way the teachers were informed of their job loss and the cold letter sent home in the children’s book bags was inappropriate. I hope the parents stand strong with their efforts to have this decision reversed.
In conclusion, the Diocese of Greensburg and the Catholic Accent reported that St. John’s tuition is $3,425 and St. Mary (Nativity) tuition will be $3,900 for the 2010-2011 school year.
They failed, on purpose or not, to report the $500 mandatory fund raiser fee for each student at St. John’s is in existence.
Therefore, St. John’s tuition will be $3,925 not $3,425 as stated by the diocese.
There isn’t a mandatory fee for St. Mary (Nativity) students. This was another way to mislead the public and give the diocese another false reason to close St. Mary (Nativity) School.
Patricia Thomas is a resident of Uniontown.