The Rochester NBC affiliate is reporting that the Diocese of Rochester has made the decision to pull its financial support from St. Lawrence school in Greece. Essentially what will happen is St. Lawrence’s elementary school will now be supported entirely by the parish, and no longer the diocese. Despite the fact that the parish will be solely responsible for the financial well-being of the school, it’s reported that the diocese will maintain control over the school’s administration, staff hiring, and curriculum.
It’s also been reported that three east side parishes will soon follow this same model. The speculation is that these schools will be St. Joseph (might as well put that $45,000 Christmas collection to good use), St. Louis, and St. Rita.
Too bad the diocese won’t let the parishes have complete control over their parish schools, but this is at least a step in the right direction. I wonder where the money will go now that St. Lawrence won’t be receiving a dime. Might the bishop be redirecting it towards St. Bernard’s tuition support? It’s something he’s been wanting to do for some time, so we’ll see.
Note: There is a video on the NBC Web site, though in abbreviated form from what appeared on the 11 PM newscast. In the televised story, NBC interviewed DoR Vicar General Fr. Dr. Joseph Hart. I must say, this is the first time I have heard this man speak.
Tags: Catholic Schools
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Isn't it just common sense that the parish ought to support the parish's school? What sense does it make to have a parish paying for Catholic schools when its own was closed? I think this is definitely a step in the right direction.
That being said, I should like to see complete parish control over all aspects of the school – not just financial. This way the diocese is just washing its hands of the matter while still doing the "fluff stuff" and looking like it knows what it's doing. Give all the schools back to the parish, and the schools run them, 100%.
I like how the article says the parish "agreed" to take over running the school. According to someone from St. Rita's, who was in the meeting, the schools were told in no uncertain terms they were being dumped. With the exception of St. Joe's, they were all blindsided and pleading for at least a year delay. For the last two years St. Joe's parents have been raising money for this eventuality.
I am very interested in how/if the diocese will now continue to supress St. John Rochester and Holy Trinity from reopening their schools as parish or independent schools now that there won't be any MCCS schools left on the east side for them to be competition with, as that was their previous excuse.
It may also be interesting to see if St. John in Spencerport and Holy Cross in Charlotte will get the chance to reopen their schools under this model. That is, of course, if they have the ability to fully finance these schools instead of just provide some financial support. If they can, they deserve the opportunity to try.
~Dr. K
My phone has been ringing off the hook this morning! Parents are steaming! This is exactly what we wanted to do at Holy Cross and the other schools. I feel liked someone just kicked me in the teeth. It goes to show that Buffalo Road has no clue what they are doing.
I have heard a letter was sent home to St. Ritas parents today that says they will not be part of this this coming year. Apparently the diocese actually listened to their pleading that they were not prepared for this yet. You could knock me over with a feather.