The wait was worth it.
The rollercoaster of emotions surrounding “The Miracle in Drexel Hill” took several twists on Friday morning before Archbishop Charles Chaput finally uttered the words everyone had been praying for.
Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast will stay open. As will three other high schools that had been targeted for closure by an archdiocese Blue Ribbon Commission.
The announcement touched off a raucous scene at Monsignor Bonner, where students from both schools had gathered after school to watch the 3 p.m. press conference.
It was the final act of a day-long drama. When word filtered out that a planned meeting between archdiocese officials and local legislators early Friday morning had been canceled, it appeared to be an ominous sign.
Then the archdiocese confirmed that no decision would be made Friday morning, and said only that there might be a possible ruling on Friday afternoon.
The sigh was audible in the Twitter-verse as the faithful wondered if they could ‘Keep the Faith’ for another weekend.
Finally, word was received that Chaput would announce his final ruling at 3 p.m. Still, there was no indication how he would rule.
As we all know now, Bonner-Prendie will survive. Yes, they will be merged into one building, and not all of the classes will be single sex, but the proud tradition of the schools in Drexel Hill will continue.
It will do so because of a miraculous fundraising campaign that saw the faithful put their money where their faith – and mouths – was, to the tune of $5 million.
I hope to be able to visit the school Wednesday night for another ‘Live From the Newsroom’ live-stream Internet broadcast. I hope to have details on that later today or tomorrow.
Miracles do happen. They aren’t easy, and they aren’t cheap. But they do happen.
After more than month of turmoil from the time that the Blue Ribbon Commission made its recommendation, to 3 p.m. Friday when Archbishop Chaput made his final ruling, it was a faith-testing, bumpy ride.
That’s why I could think of only one word to sum up the story. It appeared on Saturday’s front page:
Amen!
Comments