A way of life continues to vanish before our eyes

There is an overwhelming sadness that is hugging Delaware County like a scratchy sweater this afternoon.

This is not the same county it was this morning.

The tradition of single-sex education at Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast high schools is coming to an end.

Both Drexel Hill schools were on the list of schools to be closed, the recommendation of the archdiocese’s blue ribbon panel that studied the system for more than a year.

And that’s not all. Seven elementary schools also likely will close their doors forever.

They are Annunication BVM in Havertown; St. Cyril of Alexandria in East Lansdowne; Our Lady of Fatima in Secane; St. Gabriel’s in Norwood; Holy Savior-St. John Fisher in Lower Chichester; St. Francis de Sales in Aston; and St. John Chrysostom in Nether Providence.

Each has a long tradition. Each now will be consigned to the same dustbin as other legendary Delco names such as St. James High School in Chester; St. Joe’s School in Collingdale; and St. Kevin’s in Springfield.

The change was inevitable.

As usual, the numbers don’t lie. And the numbers said the archdiocese simply could not continue to operate so many schools, especially those where enrollment was dwindling to a precious few.

When I hosted the Rev. James Olson, president of Bonner/Prendie Wednesday night for our ‘Live From the Newsroom’ show, I was certain that the most likely outcome was that the two schools would be merged. The single-sex education would be sacrificed, but at least a merged school would survive.

I was wrong.

Since word broke this morning, a lot of things have been going through my head.

A confession here. I am a product of eight years of parochial school education. I do what I do for a living, I am convinced, in no small part because I had the honor and distinction of toiling at the firm right hand of the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I can diagram a sentence like nobody’s business.

I wonder what John Cappelletti, Class of 70, would think about the closing of his alma mater.

I wonder what those wonderful Mighty Macs, who won the first women’s NCAA basketball championship, would think, since many of them were products of Archbishop Prendergast.

And I wonder this: How much more can a community take. Holy Savior-St. John Fisher serves families in the county’s lower end. It’s in Lower Chi. It sits in the shadow of two sprawling refineries, Sunoco in Marcus Hook, and Conoco-Phillips in Trainer, that could be closing their doors as well.

Sad? It’s beyond sad. It’s a way of life disappearing before our eyes.

Comments

Bob Garrett said…
Hey Phil
This will impact a number of folks around our towns.
Im betting I may be one of a few that recognizes the Heisman Trophy winner from Penn State http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cappelletti

Better days are aheard
Amyreyrn said…
Well said Mr. Heron, you are a class act and have always been a big supporter of our schools. Prendie and Bonner will forever live on as the heart of Drexel Hill. Amy Reynolds
proud Prendie grad '93, mother of Ali '12.
Lucca4me said…
Just what our country needs at this time, the loss of value centered education. We are all diminished by this giant cut in Catholic School education. Vouchers would have gone a long way in helping them stay open.

Diane K.
West Catholic Girls' graduate
Anonymous said…
As a 1966 graduate of Annunciation in Brookline and a 1970 graduate of Bonner I just got hit with a double shot with the current school closings. My wife and three children were all graduates of Our Lady of Fatima in Secane also closing. I blame a large part of the current situation on the Arch. Of Phila. when back in the mid 90's they decided that the Pastors should have control and be more independent. This control was given to men that had no business or maketing background. Since then it's been going downhill. RJS,JR