St. Michael Catholic School in Newark is fighting for its life.
Literally.
The poor economy had a predictable downward effect on registration and the annual fund raising drive, which traditionally draws support from parishioners, friends and local businesses, wasn’t going as well as hoped.
Then at an April 19th “emergency meeting” diocesan officials gave parents and supporters of St. Michael’s an ultimatum: Either register another 22 students for the 2011-12 academic year and raise $130,000 or we’ll shut you down. Oh, and you’ve got 29 days to get the job done.
Since then St. Michael’s has enrolled another 17 children for next year and has collected over $71,000 in cash and pledges. The diocese, in a gracious move, has also extended its deadline another 9 days, until next Thursday, May 26.
While parents and other supporters are working hard to find those other 5 students and to raise the final $59,000 they need, they are also praying. They and the current students will join this Sunday at St. Michael Church in Newark after the 10:30 am Mass to say the Rosary for preservation of St. Michael School.
For anyone so inclined, donations may be made by PayPal (see here), or contact St. Michael’s Principal, Mrs. Pauline DeCann, for further information.
Prayers, of course, are always appreciated.
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Jim M. here: God bless the people from St. Michael’s Parish in Newark. I worked for a short time in St. Michael Parish from 1979-1980, and found the people in this community to be very generous, warm-hearted and caring. They were very down to earth, and really cared about their children and their Catholic faith. I will pray that they will be able to raise the necessary funds to keep their school open, as well as having enough students who will attend in the fall.
I intend to make my donation “In honor of Cleansing Fire.” 🙂
My children thank you Diane. God bless. We’re all losing sleep and scared to death. I can’t see our lives without St. Michael’s. Take care.
Sunday, May 22 at 10:30, I will be attending Mass and then attending the tour and brunch for the closing of my elementary school, St. Hugh in Philadelphia.
It will be bittersweet. Surely there will be many classmates I have not seen since 1973.
St. Hugh holds many memories.
This is just so sad.
The next parish over, Ascension, is also holding its Mass for the closing of their school tomorrow at noon.
My thoughts are with your parishioners.