The Holy Redeemer School system, which includes the former Bishop Hoban high school and the "feeder" elementary schools are in a $200,000 deficit it appears. Diocesan spokesman Bill Genello confirmed to WILK's Sue Henry this morning.
And you, the unfortunate parents will have to somehow make it up.
How can this be?
They closed many schools to make the diocesan school system a viable institution. Instead it is still a money pit.
They laid off workers to save money.
But then they changed the name of Bishop Hoban to "Holy Redeemer" for whatever reason and had to immediately spend thousands of dollars for new gym floors, and painting and stationary. The gym floor alone cost them $30,000 alone.
I mean, ya gotta have that new logo. So any savings were thrown right out the window.
But hey, parents. there's still good news.
You can now do even MORE fundraising to help out.
Some of my views on this situation:
How many of the churches and schools that were closed are being, or have been sold?
Where did that money go?
Why doesn't that money go towards the shortfall and let's give our cash-strapped parents a break?
Why doesn't the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, who already operates St. Gregory's Academy, open a school for boys and girls? (I think we know why.)
Does anyone want to discuss with me the possibilty of starting a catholic charter school?
Let's talk about it.
31 comments:
Why doesn't the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, who already operates St. Gregory's Academy, open a school for boys and girls? (I think we know why.)"
We do? It is hard to know what you are implying here...
I can't speak for them but I would assume that most of the reasons are staff, space, and funding. Not to mention the fact that having a school like that would require everyone to live in the geographical area, which not all do. The school takes kids from far away. Have you ever heard of a co-ed boarding school?
If you mean to say that the Fraternity doesn't have co-ed schools then you are mistaken. They have ones attached to parishes in Canada, California, and probably some other ones too.
Rockin' Traddy,
This is really unfortunate news. The last thing we need is more schools closed. However, I would like to say that the name change was necessary in order for the consolidation to work. Holy Redeemer is not Bishop Hoban with a new name. It's a completely different school created from four former Catholic high schools (former rivals). The enrollment would have been significantly less if the three other school buildings simply closed and Hoban remained unchanged. Moreover, Hoban had problems (including a significant debt) as well.
I wish I had more time to discuss this right now, but I'm a little pressed for time. I think there are a number of options worth exploring. Your idea of a charter school type solution is interesting. A number of rural evangelical churches (local ones) operate small non accredited schools with small budgets and affordable tuition. They don't offer everything the big schools do, but it's an interesting concept, one that might adapt quite nicely to Catholic parishes. Our local Catholic schools are a treasure that need to be preserved. I hope we can find a way forward before it is too late.
First off, I am speaking as an individual who has seen the behind the scenes fianancial information at parishes, some schools, understands the Diocesan fianancil statements, and has had private conversations with the Diocesan finance staff. I don't know everything, but I know what the correct overall picture is without all the red herrings often tossed around.
The financials of the old school system used as the basis for the new one by the Meitler group were BADLY @#$%^ up. WAAAAYYY off. Very poor and sloppy cash basis accounting. They suspected it might be off by a decent percentage and made allowances in their predictions of future costs and revenues. Later into the first year of the new system they found out how dramatically far off it really was.
Unfortunately the tuitions and assessments were already laid out and people complained strenously that they would have to pay $20/month more for tuition, meanwhile the parishes still weren't paying their full (new) tuition assessments.
The only serious marketing done the first year was by SDACT staying in the newspaper with an increasingly shrill negative message. Enrollment at one of the largest elementary's dropped dramatically over a two year period, and although it is up right now, that is from the inclusion of St. Aloysius and Ss. Peter and Paul students. Overall I believe there to be a continued slide in system enrollment.
The good news is that the High school marketing from what I have seen is running this year and is comparatively very clever, targeted well, and working. Elementary marketing needs more work though.
Very few of the closed churches and schools have been sold. Generally they need a decent amount of work, are located in less marketable areas, and have limited uses and audiences. The protestant and evangelical churches are not booming with membership, and the very architecture of most Catholic churches is antithetical to non-mainline protestant churches.
I grant you that sometimes the schools, or the parishes, or the diocese does not always make the best financial decisions. But it is NOWHERE NEAR the rampant waste that most people think it is (including where sex scandal payments came from). These institutions manage to do a lot very creatively with what LITTLE they have to work with.
Fulltime elementary education costs Catholic parents $240/mo (fundraising fee included). At Wilkes-Barre Academy it is well over $500/mo.
Honestly, what Catholic parents need to do is the same thing Catholic Parishioners need to do... re-evaluate their financial priorities and how important a Catholic Education is to them, as well as how important sustaining their parishes are. 'Cause what we have been doing collectivly to this point doesn't cut it.
Matt,
That's not what I meant at all.
The diocese obviously does not want the FSSP to come in and open a catholic school and have it be a success when they cannot do it themselves.
And don't be so short-sighted as to think it would have to be just for St. Mike's people. The best way for us to spread traditional Catholicism is to expose as many to it as possible. Which is something else the diocese does not want.
Chris, you said parents should "re-evaluate their financial priorities and how important a Catholic Education is to them"
If they did that, I don't think too many would be going to catholic schools.
"And don't be so short-sighted as to think it would have to be just for St. Mike's people. The best way for us to spread traditional Catholicism is to expose as many to it as possible. Which is something else the diocese does not want."
I don't disagree with you. My understanding is that some of the kids there had not been to the TLM before enrolling anyway. I still think it is a staff and facilities issue.
As to what you were or were not implying, i didn't necessarily think you meant anything insidious on the fraternity's part.
I still say that the closings and consolidations were very poorly planned and executed; with NO input from tuition paying parents, teachers, or administrators. Most parents, if asked, (at least I'm one), would gladly pay an increase in tuition for a good Catholic education. But when you close FOUR local Catholic high schools, and combine them into one, and the enrollment at the open high school is the same amount as it was when all four were open, that is a big problem. The diocese really expected parents to follow blindly; instead, they were faced with parents who said, "Enough, Bishop Martino". After all, public schools may go on strike, but they always open up after. School age children need stability; not a bishop who shuffles them around year after year on a whim.
Elaine
We should not be spreading Traditional Catholicism, but simply Catholicism. No other label is necessary.
NEPA Catholic
I am not a parent but I did see the school meetings on the news and the disgusting behavior of parents screaming and calling Our Lord's priests vile names.
I have sympathy for both sides but it is difficult not to take the Diocese's side when you see behavior like that.
Parishes used to have parochial schools but now there aren't any kids thanks to population shift and probably birth control. So, consolidation seems inevitable.
Sir Rockin One:
I work at a school as you well know. I love my assignment at the school, and I hope I will be there for a long time.
What I can say is this: The system is not sustainable as it is. You say "Give cash strapped parents a break." Fine- but who is going to give the cash strapped parishes a break? The parishes are already doing all they can. If it isn't enough, it isn't enough, but they can't possibly do anymore.
In order for the system to survive and be effective, the Catholic Church is going to have to start thinking outside the box when it comes to funding of the schools. This 1950's model of parish assessments has to go.
I think the following should be explored:
1) "Fair Tuition." In essence a graded price for tuition. You pay depending on your income level. If you are above a certain income level, you pay the full price. If you are at this or that level, you pay this of that price, etc. Hence the price of tuition depends on your income. It is graded.
2) A full time professional hired by the Diocese who has the sole job of soliciting yearly funds for the school system from wealthy donors. The person would be largely paid on commission basis. Piggy backing on this, perhaps a full time professional to handle investments making substantial money from them which will fund the schools. In other words- the Diocese needs to look at meaningful ways of raising money-SUBSTANTIAL money. 50/50 raffels and Bazars don't cut the mustard anymore. They worked well in 1950 but in 2009 you can't run a school that way.
3) A LIMITED amount of parish assessments, perhaps a much more managable 5-10% tax on parish income to help fund the schools, but no more then 10%.
4) A capital improvement campaign to look at building a new school for Holy Cross, and meaingfully and substantially renovating the other existing school buildings so that they are modern, and up to date, and will attract more people. Furthermore perhaps the establishment or expanding of endowments, etc. "If you build it they will come, if you endow it they will stay."
5) A substantial marketing campaign- that markets to what the parents want. Usually the Church will try to play off of the "We are a Catholic School, a Catholic environment, etc" which is fine. But the reality is that I don't think the majority of the parents are sending their children to Catholic schools, just becasue they are Catholic. Research needs to be done as to WHY parents are sending their children to the schools- and then an effective marketing strategy needs to be developed based on what the research shows. Research needs to be done on what will ATTRACT people to our schools. Research also needs to be done on why people left.
Those are just my thoughts. I have no idea if they are possible, or pratical- but what I do know is that things can't continue they way they are. If we are to save the schools, The Catholic Church MUST start thinking outside the box.
Father Dave Bechtel
Matt; I was at many of those first meetings. Just what are you talking about when you say "parents disgusting behavior", and "calling Priests vile names"? I must have missed that meeting. Enlighten me, please. Raphael, maybe you can weigh in here.
Elaine
As usual, Father Bechtel provides us with thought provoking, practical suggestions. I actually like them all, but I wonder if it could be done without losing it's Catholic identity?
Matt - What examples can you provide of the "disgusting behavior of parents screaming and calling Our Lord's priests vile names"?
NEPA Catholic - There's a big difference between walking into a Mass and seeing it done in Latin at the high altar according to the 1962 missal, and walking into a Novus Ordo church. The Church is moving to re-discover her traditions, and exposure to it is required. It is a second Rite of the Church, the Extraordinary Rite, not the same at all as the Novus Ordo.
Sir Rockin One:
Evidently you had not heard about the circus that took place in Hazelton when the schools were closed. The priests present at the meeting were aparently shouted at as though it was all their fault. The priests were present at the meeting to try and provide a pastoral presence and comfort. They wanted to grieve with the people, and show them they cared. From what I heard the people shouted at them and called them names. Of course it was foolish to have the news conference in the way they did. The actions should have been forseen.
As I said, I am not sure if my suggestions are possible or practical. I think the "Fair Tuition" is probably the most possible and practical. As for a Capital Improvement Campagin- I am not sure there is that kind of money in this Diocese. We are talking a bare bones minimum of 50 million. But the possibility should at least be explored.
All I am trying to do is think outside the box of "Assessments, fundraising, and tuition" which is a 1950's way of thinking.
Father Dave Bechtel
Matt,
I attended many of the parent/alumni meetings regarding school consolidations, so I am speaking from first hand experience when I say the behavior of the participants was not "disgusting." Were things perfect all the time? No. Emotions ran high. But I was highly impressed by the loyalty, school spirit, determination, and strong faith in face of such trials shown by the parents, alumni, and friends of Catholic education. I realized then, perhaps more than I ever had, that Catholic education was worth the effort, that it was something I was willing to fight for. The meetings were not shouting matches, and I never heard people calling priests vile names. What did occur was a lot of brainstorming on the part of intelligent, forward thinking individuals committed to preserving Catholic education in our area.
Moreover, the shifting demographics cliche is just that, a cliche. Sure, things have changed over the years. But talk to people in public schools in towns where a Catholic school closed and they'll tell you they are overcrowded. Where did the extra students come from?
Father Betchel,
The Bishop O'Reilly parents group proposed some of the very same things you suggested, including a graded tuition plan and a new marketing campaign. We also had a financial plan to reduce parish subsidies by 25% over five years. And Bishop O'Reilly DID hire an enthusiastic, dedicated, full time development director while I was still a student there. Of course, ANY proposal not in line with Meitler's plan was rejected by the diocese. There were people ready to work, ready to change things, ready to get things done. The threat of losing our schools would have been enough to spark a lot of hard work to ensure success. But we never got that chance.
I would suggest reading the articles and proposals here: http://bishoporeilly.wordpress.com/saving-oreilly/ The O'Reilly, Seton, and Hafey plans are still available for downloading and review. Perhaps some of what they contain can still be applied now, before it is too late. We have a lot of talent in this area, and a lot of people who believe in Catholic education.
"Matt - What examples can you provide of the "disgusting behavior of parents screaming and calling Our Lord's priests vile names"
I looked to see of the video from the news (WNEP I think it was?) but it wasn't on YouTube. I don't believe it was a preliminary meeting because I remember seeing the Bishop announcing the closing of a school. There was a lot of bad feelings there it seemed.
Nevertheless, I just want to say that I pray these divisions and hurt feelings in our local church will be healed. I hope a lot of people do not leave the faith because of it. We have a lot of evangelization to do in our area and divisions only work against us.
Father - I think your ideas were right on. I wasn't crossing my fingers! :-)
I don't really like the idea of Catholic Charter Schools. State money means state interference- in Canada, it started like that, today, they can not teach the full faith.
NEPA Catholic
Raphael,
1) So far as I know, the Diocese rejected "Fair Tuition" becasue they were uncomfortable charging one family a high price, and another a low price. They felt it more "fair" for everyone to pay the same price. I don't agree- but this is exactely what I mean when I say they have to stop thinking in 1950's catagories. They seem to operate under a certain ideology- namely that people have a "right" to Catholic education and that people should be admitted to Catholic schools regardless of ability to pay.
While I can grant in a certain sense the Church can try to work with families- the reality is that they need to be able to pay if they want a Catholic education. This isn't me talking, this is the laws of business. If they can't pay, someone else has to pay- and traditionally that someone else has been the parishes. The parishes CANNOT do it anymore. The Church has to understand that fact- people have to be able to pay for it---and the Diocese seems very reluctant to grasp this. I almost get the impression that the Catholic Church in general feels guilty about having to charge tuition.
2) When I say the Diocese needs to hire a full time fundraiser for the schools, I am not talking about a Director of Development. I am talking about a person with a graduate degree and professional credentials- someone who knows and understands fundraising and is professionally trained in fundraising. Someone who knows and understands finance and investments. (Part of their role would be to handle investments and make the money grow) Someone who knows and understands how to get wealthy people to contribute, and get them on board with the schools.
I am not talking about someone who is going to run the school Bazar, or 50/50 raffels, or candy sales- I am talking about someone who is going to have to raise SUBSTANTIAL money- in the MILLIONS- and invest money so SUBSTANTIAL money could be made off investments.
3) You may have had a good plan- but- schools HAD to close. There were no if's and's or but's about it. The reality is that regardless of plans, there were schools that had to close. That is reality. I think the thing to do now is take stock of what we have presently and try to figure out how we are going to make it effective.
4) Along with Fair tuition- my idea is that perhaps people of means could "adopt" a worthy student. In other words students of families who are not able to pay tuition could have a family of means "adopt" them. They will pay their tuition provided they keep up their grades, behavior, etc.
5) As for the Meitler Study- the Diocese paid a large amount of money for good credentialed professionals to study the system and make recommendations based on their expertise. Given the money paid for them, and given the fact that these are professionals- I think it would have been foolish for the Diocese not to follow their recommendations. If the Diocese as not going to follow their recommendations- then why did they pay all that money for a study?
6) I had heard solutions proposed whereby one floor of a school would be a high school and another floor the grade school. Come on- you CAN'T run a school like that in 2009. Again- that worked in 1950- but the year is 2009. How is such a school going to be competetive?
7) I have hope that things will get better under the next bishop. I really hope the Diocese will be able to develop and impliment a conprehensive program whereby they raise substantial (substantial being the operative word)money, and a program whereby they get the schools back on track. That being said- it might not be possible- we will have to wait and see.
8) What I do know is that if the Diocese CANNOT develop an effective program- the system is going to collapse. As I keep saying- things cannot stay the same. The system as it is now is not sustainable. Parishes are going under, and the schools require more and more money- just to stay afloat.
Father Dave Bechtel
I have deleted two comments here because you did not leave a name. Please follow the rules if you want to be a part of the discussion.
Feel free to re-post your comments while including your name.
Thanks.
Father Dave, Surely you must understand that one of the things that "irritated" parents was the LARGE amt. of money paid to the meitler group; and all when the bishop was crying no money for the children!! Of course, for that amt. of money, they were going to tell him just what he wanted to hear. Heck, we came up with viable plans for FREE, and we were too "lowly" to even get an "audience". If the diocese really wanted to find out how to solve a problem within a certain school, go to the very people who help sustain it--the parents; not some high priced, "I'll do whatever you want" group.
Elaine
Elain,
I am not sure the Meitler Group told the bishop what he wanted to hear. Elain, there were schools with 60 kids- and those schools thought they were viable! That is called "Denial."
No bishop wants to close schools. Do you really think Martino enjoyed having to do that? Wouldn't you think he would have rathered open schools and build them?
As I said- I am sure the parents had great plans. Perhaps the next bishop will consider some of them. But as I said- it seems part of the parents plan was not closing schools. That is where the Diocese came in.
Some schools HAD to close, and that is reality. Anyone who said otherwise was simply living in denial. Elain, this was not Martino who said this- it was well known toward the end of Timlin's administration something drastic was going to have to be done.
I can see the parents have some great ideas, and as I said, maybe some of them will be given a hearing- but as in all cases where some buildings have to close- the denial factor cannot be ignored. In other words Meitler was objective- the parents could not be entirely objective becasue they had emotional attachments. There was an objective outside source that was needed to get a true picture of the situation- at least I think that makes sense. Don't you? I turns out the situation was more dire then anyone had originally guessed.
Father Dave Bechtel
How is it no one ever mentions the most obvious answer to the staffing problem: sisters? The Catholic school systems were viable for decades because of the low cost of the religious teachers. If some of those "social justice" feminuns really want to help the world, they should look no further than their own backyard, check the radical agenda at the door, and volunteer their time teaching Catholic schoolchildren.
*Sigh* Guess I answered my own question.
Tradster:
That is a fallacy that religious sisters are "cheaper."
In reality the religious sisters who teach make just as much as the lay teachers in that the school has to pay out the same salary. The difference is that the money goes directly to the religious community of the sister, not the sister herself.
Hence- to say that religious sisters are the solution- that is a fallacy. They are the solution in the sense that we need more vocations, and more orthodox sisters who love their Faith- but they will not solve the fiscal issues.
Father Dave Bechtel
Father Betchel,
In addition to graded tuition, the O'Reilly group proposed an "adopt a student" idea as well. Just because the parents and alumni had an emotional attachment to a school does not mean that their judgment was impaired as far as providing objective solutions. Most parents were not in denial, but were well aware of the challenges and were ready to work towards addressing them.
Concerning Meitler, was their process fully objective? Is any human enterprise fully objective? And is emotional attachment really a bad thing? Cannot our emotions enflame us with the desire to succeed in the face of adversity?
I'd also like to address this:
"I had heard solutions proposed whereby one floor of a school would be a high school and another floor the grade school. Come on- you CAN'T run a school like that in 2009. Again- that worked in 1950- but the year is 2009. How is such a school going to be competetive?"
You can't run a school that way? On what grounds do you base this claim? Perhaps we need to become more open to "non-traditional" models of schools if we want to create a viable Catholic education option in the Diocese of Scranton. I know of at least one local evangelical church that operates a small (approx. 80 students), independent Christian day school for students in grades K-12 (one building, attached to the church). I don't know if they are accredited, but that doesn't mean that they do not deliver a high quality education. For example, St. Gregory's Academy isn't accredited. I would personally like to investigate this model further. For one, we may be able to adapt it to Catholic parishes. But even if not, it might give us some valuable insight in our quest for a solution.
Raphael-
Given that parents are paying tuition (even though not the full amount as of right now- though that could change with the next administration) we owe them quality. We owe it to them to be able to compete with the public schools. We owe it to them to provide up to date buildings, lab equipment, certified teachers, etc. We also owe our teachers a fair and just wage and benefits. In my mind this means that their salary should be comparable with public schools. In this way we will also attract and retain the best teachers and bring stability. This was one of the points Miltz made with the union. While I am no fan of Lord Michael Miltz, I have to admit he had a good point there.
In my mind Raphael, we should either do it right when it comes to the schools, or give it up and try something else. This "We will make do" mentality doesn't cut it in my mind. We need to do more then "Make due" in year 2009.
As for being accredited- if your schools are not accredited you might as well not have a school. If Catholic school parents are so desperate to save the schools that they are willing to go without some kind of professional accreditation- again-- that is emotion talking, not logic and reason. You are correct that emotion plays an important role- at the same time Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. There comes apoint where the emotions need to take a back seat and a good professional objective look at the situation is needed.
Raphael- I work at a school and I see their value. Believe me.
Let me clarify my original post that you responded to. You CAN run a school with 60 kids whereby one floor of the school is a grade school, one is a high school. Whether or not you SHOULD run a school like that is another story. I say absolutely, positively, without a doubt NO. At that point it is time to throw in the towel and start thinking of something else.
I don't want to see the schools close, I want to see them become BETTER. I want to see them offer the BEST education around. I want our schools on the order of a Scranton Prep, or other preperatory school. I might be thinking too grand- but I hope our next administration will be able to do something for the schools to get them back on solid footing- AND have them far less dependant on the parishes for survival. This will be a grand feat I know- but the reality is that the schools have to be more self sufficient.
At the same time I am open to the possibility that we might simply not be able to save the schools. I am open to whatever the next administration wants to try and I will support it. The only thing I could not actively support is more parish assessments- becasue right now it is those assessments which are a large part of the problem. The problem is not going to be fixed by higher taxation.
Father Dave Bechtel
You know what,,I think we are all being lied to and decieved.. I don't think that for one second there is any money deficit at all in the reedeemer system... What I do think is that we were lied to and decieved reguarding the status of all the schools from the beggining. And that was to justify the money spent on the studies,to fullfill a self proclaimed prophecy from martino, and to get rid of the techers unions and start to get out of catholic schools altogether in the near future. There is no deficit in the redeemer system now, HOGWASH...how can there be? and the schools before all this consolidation and re-naming were in way better shape then we were led to believe.take it from someone who has a clue and not being led around like a blind sheep..............
E.B.
"And that was to justify the money spent on the studies,to fullfill a self proclaimed prophecy from martino, and to get rid of the techers unions and start to get out of catholic schools altogether in the near future."
Um, you need to be careful here. That is a serious charge. You seem to believe there was malice in his actions.
Do you have any inside financial information to back up your accusation against a Successor to the Apostles or are you just angry?
You are obviously hurt and that is unfortunate. I will remember you today in Adoration.
EB,
One word: DENIAL
Father Dave Bechtel
well . let's look at what the brand new news in the newspaper says today....During his turbulent six years in office, Martino made sweeping moves he insisted were necessary to make diocesan finances solvent, including a complete restructuring of the school system that closed many buildings, sharp cutbacks in administrative expenses, and most recently the decision to close roughly half the churches in the11-county diocese. That was the main problem at Holy Redeemer High School, where rumors claim the school has a $200,000 deficit. Miller said that’s not quite true. The shortfall was detected before the school year started, and additional fundraising was done. Now, “This is the best looking budget I’ve seen in years at Holy Redeemer.” ..Robert Miller says despite church debt and pension shortfall, red ink issues can be resolved.“I think everybody is getting a better idea of the numbers with regards to the diocese and the schools,” said Robert Miller, new secretary for financial services. “I think we’ll get there. I wouldn’t have taken the job otherwise.”....Miller replaced James Quinn, who retired at the age of 62 after working as the diocese’s chief financial officer since 1988. Miller was hired as an assistant in 2005, coming from long years of accounting work at the firm of Parente Randolph and Co. Certified Public Accountants in Wilkes-Barre, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pa., and the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance.Quinn had talked for years about retiring, Miller said, and did it almost as soon as he turned 62. Diocesan spokesman William Genello said the fact that his retirement came a month after Bishop Joseph Martino retired was strictly a coincidence.
Things that make you go HMMMM.
Martin
ST. LOUIS — A Wisconsin diocese late Friday suspended a Roman Catholic priest who fathered a child during a five-year relationship in Illinois and may have been involved separately with a minor......The Catholic Diocese of Superior said the Rev. Henry Willenborg has been suspended with pay.......The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests called for the move earlier Friday in St. Louis. The national support group for those hurt by religious authorities also said it wants church officials in Missouri and Wisconsin to help the mother and son, now 22, who has terminal cancer........The suspension was effective immediately, Superior diocese spokesman Richard Lyons said........"He is to step down from active ministry and any involvement in church events until we have a chance to clarify the information that was in the New York Times article today," Lyons said........SNAP's demands also were in response to a Times story Friday about the Ashland, Wis., pastor, his former lover and their son, and claims by a second woman that she'd been involved with him as a high school student.!!!!
While here back home in PA. and the scranton diocese they continue to ask for more money for the Annual Appeal,continue to ask for more Sunday donations,and continue to close church's and school's.
Former St. Nicks/Bishop Hoban parishoner/supporter
Former Saint Nicks Parishoner/Hobanite:
Yes, that's right. You catch on quick. You see, sir, the mission of the Church can't come to a grinding halt all because of a few immoral priests.
The mission of the Church must go on, and it WILL go on sir. Presumably for the near future the Diocese will continue to operate schools. The Diocese will continue to operate parishes. Given that these structures cost money, the Diocese/Church will continue to solicit donations to keep them going.
Father Dave Bechtel
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