|
In a letter from Cardinal Rigali, dated March 31, 2004, His Eminence granted permission for All Saints Parish
and St. John Cantius Parish to begin a feasibility study for the restructuring of parish elementary schools in
Bridesburg. His Eminence recognizes the serious decline in school enrollment and the growing operating deficit
in each parish. A recommendation, following a broad consultation of our parish members and school parents, will
be presented to His Eminence in December 2004, which will insure that the children in Bridesburg, both now and
in the future, will have access to affordable, quality Catholic education. It is my intention to provide you with
ongoing communiques throughout the feasibility study, so you will know what is happening at each stage.
What process is being used during the Feasibility Study?
Each Parish has formed a school study committee, which includes the Pastor, Principal and five lay representatives.
The lay representatives from All Saints Parish include: Michael Finn, Charles Ansel, Juaneita Hays, Jean O'Neal
and Kathleen Shimp. The lay representatives from St. John Cantius Parish include: Kathleen Lisiewski, Paula Grochowski,
Suzanne Winkowski, Patrick Morrison and Henry Baranowski.
Since there are only two Parishes involved in this feasibility study, it was agreed that the lay representatives
from the school study committee from each parish would become the members of the Steering Committee. The role of
the school study committee is to serve as the bridge for communication in the parish, while the role of the Steering
Committee is to make a final recommendation to His Eminence, after consulting with the parish and school communities.
Since the members of the school study committee and the Steering Committee will be the same, they will wear both
hats of responsibility throughout the feasibility study. They will be available to receive feedback throughout
the feasibility study process, as well as to disseminate current and accurate information to the parish and school
communities.
What are the four stages and time line for the Feasibility Study?
- Stage 1 - Information gathering, sharing and understanding.
During April and May 2004, the school study committee from each parish met separately to gather and review current
information pertaining to their individual parish and school. By the end of this stage, the school study committees
came together to share and discuss the information they gathered and eventually, moved into the role of the Steering
Committee.
- Stage 2 - Develop a Vision for the future of Catholic Education in Bridesburg.
During June through August 2004, the Steering Committee will work to develop a vision for the future of Catholic
education in Bridesburg. Then they will look at possible options which could fulfill this vision.
- Stage 3 - Consultation Process
During the Fall 2004, all members of the parish and school community will have the opportunity to respond to
the possible options for Catholic education in Bridesburg for the future.
- Stage 4 - Identify and Share Major Findings and Recommendations.
During November and early December 2004, the parish and school communities will have the opportunity to review
the major findings and the recommendation that the Steering Committee will be forwarding to Cardinal Rigali.
Request for Prayerful Support:
In everything we do as a Christian community, we must be centered in prayer. During this very important
process of collaborating to restructure our parish elementary schools, I ask everyone to join together in prayer,
as we ask God to guide and bless our endeavors. Below is an inspirational prayer that I ask you to include in your
daily prayers and petitions.
Grant me, O Lord, to see
everything now with new eyes,
to discern and test the spirits
that help me read the signs
of the time, to relish the things
that are yours, and to
communicate them to others.
Give me the clarity of
understanding that you
gave Ignatius.
Personal Prayer of Pedro Arrupe, SJ,
From M. Harter, SJ, 'Hearts on Fire'
Please refer to the Archdiocesan website @ www.adphila.org for all communiques during the
feasibility study process.
July 3-4, 2004
|
