In the end, the numbers didn’t lie. They usually don’t. They are cold, unfeeling, and unmoving.
And in the case of St. Joseph’s School in Collingdale, they also were stark.
Despite the best efforts of parishioners and parents to save their beloved school, the numbers just didn’t add up.
A few weeks ago, the parish was ebullient after a visit from Cardinal Justin Rigali for Confirmation. Rigali brought good news. The school, which a steering committee had recommended be closed because of rising costs and declining enrollment, would get something of a reprieve.
But there were strings attached to the commutation of St. Joe’s death sentence. The biggest one was that the school had to have 200 registered students for the school year starting next September.
They didn’t make it.
Numbers released by the archdiocese on Friday indicated that only 142 students were committed to attend St. Joe’s.
There are a lot of bruised feelings in St. Joseph’s Parish. Parents say they were well aware of the 200-student threshold they needed to meet.
They say they were not aware they would only get a few weeks to hit the mark. The archdiocese declined their request for an extension.
They say they had trouble getting information from officials as to just where the numbers were.
Some allege that was all part of the plan, that the archdiocese intended to close the school all along.
St. Joseph’s School is not alone. They suffer from the same ailment that is afflicting parochial schools all across the eastern part of the county.
The numbers just aren’t there. Families are not as large as they once were. And more families are moving west, both here in western parts of Delco and also to Montgomery and Chester counties, where the archdiocese is actually building schools.
Back here, it’s a matter of holding on to what you have. And it gets harder to do each year.
Next year they will have to do it without St. Joseph’s School. Students can attend another parochial school in the area.
The emotions surrounding St. Joe’s remain raw. The healing likely will take time.
On Sunday, as parishioners headed into noon Mass, they lamented the passing of their school, which has been educating kids in the borough for 93 years.
St. Joe’s was not the first parochial school to close in eastern Delaware County. Rest assured it will not be the last.
Why? It’s not because of a lack of faith, or will, or belief in Catholic education.
It’s about numbers.
And as the bruised parishioners and families of St. Joe’s can attest, numbers don’t lie.
And in the case of St. Joseph’s School in Collingdale, they also were stark.
Despite the best efforts of parishioners and parents to save their beloved school, the numbers just didn’t add up.
A few weeks ago, the parish was ebullient after a visit from Cardinal Justin Rigali for Confirmation. Rigali brought good news. The school, which a steering committee had recommended be closed because of rising costs and declining enrollment, would get something of a reprieve.
But there were strings attached to the commutation of St. Joe’s death sentence. The biggest one was that the school had to have 200 registered students for the school year starting next September.
They didn’t make it.
Numbers released by the archdiocese on Friday indicated that only 142 students were committed to attend St. Joe’s.
There are a lot of bruised feelings in St. Joseph’s Parish. Parents say they were well aware of the 200-student threshold they needed to meet.
They say they were not aware they would only get a few weeks to hit the mark. The archdiocese declined their request for an extension.
They say they had trouble getting information from officials as to just where the numbers were.
Some allege that was all part of the plan, that the archdiocese intended to close the school all along.
St. Joseph’s School is not alone. They suffer from the same ailment that is afflicting parochial schools all across the eastern part of the county.
The numbers just aren’t there. Families are not as large as they once were. And more families are moving west, both here in western parts of Delco and also to Montgomery and Chester counties, where the archdiocese is actually building schools.
Back here, it’s a matter of holding on to what you have. And it gets harder to do each year.
Next year they will have to do it without St. Joseph’s School. Students can attend another parochial school in the area.
The emotions surrounding St. Joe’s remain raw. The healing likely will take time.
On Sunday, as parishioners headed into noon Mass, they lamented the passing of their school, which has been educating kids in the borough for 93 years.
St. Joe’s was not the first parochial school to close in eastern Delaware County. Rest assured it will not be the last.
Why? It’s not because of a lack of faith, or will, or belief in Catholic education.
It’s about numbers.
And as the bruised parishioners and families of St. Joe’s can attest, numbers don’t lie.
Comments