ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Saint Joseph Church
120 Hilldale Road
Cheltenham, Pannsylvania 19012-1324
Telephone (215)635-5533 - Fax (215) 635-4578

News Release
January 26, 2004

Contact: Rev. William S. Harrison
Pastor, Saint Joseph Parish
215-635-5533

Reverend William S. Harrison, Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Cheltenham, Montgomery County, announces that Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, has accepted the recommendation of the Parish Steering Committee to close Saint Joseph Parish Elementary School in June 2004. The Parish Steering Committee was made up of the pastor, the principal, two members of both the Parish Pastoral Council and the Home and School Association as well as parishioners and school parents.

The majority of the Parish Steering Committee signed the document sent to Cardinal Rigali but some members said while they understood the recommendation they could not bring themselves to actually sign the document because of their personal attachment to the school. They informed the Cardinal, however, that if he approved the recommendation they would accept it and will propose to work with the other members of the parish to enhance the life of the Catholic community of Saint Joseph and to continue the Catholic education of the children. The Steering Committee recommended the closure after a careful and thorough study of the school which involved broad consultation with the parish and school communities.

The study showed a declining number of parish children enrolled in the school, decreasing infant baptisms and increasing costs that put a tremendous financial burden on the parish on top of a $300,000 debt that the parish owes to the Archdiocese. Only 51 of the 190 students enrolled in the school are from the parish and parish records show on average only three to four baptisms are celebrated each year. Tuition covers two-thirds of the actual cost of educating each student.

Because expenses are so much greater than the income of the parish and the school, the school is unable to enhance any of its programs and does not have individual teachers for art, music, physical education or honors math. The Parish Steering Committee took all of this into consideration in making its decision as well as the fact that two other local parochial schools are willing to welcome the students of Saint Joseph Parish Elementary School (Presentation B.V.M., also in Cheltenham, and Saint James Parish Elementary School in Elkins Park). No decisions have been made regarding the future of the Saint Joseph school building.

Background:

The question of the feasibility of Saint Joseph Parish maintaining its own school has been under consideration since approximately 1997 when the parish began experiencing financial difficulties due to declining school enrollment causing expenses to dramatically increase. Parish enrollment was also decreasing due to changing demographics. While the pastor, the parish council and the home and school association attempted to boost school population and find new sources of revenue, an overriding concern for the parish and its future remained. Costs continued to exceed their efforts and the parish continued to grow more deeply in need of assistance. As a result, Father Harrison requested and received permission from Cardinal Bevilacqua to begin a school self-study.

In fall 2003, Father Harrison established a Parish Steering Committee to oversee the school self-study. With the assistance of Archdiocesan offices, a broad consultation process was initiated with the parents of the school community and the parishioners who have been carrying the financial burden of the school for many years. The Steering Committee held two meetings to explain the enrollment and financial situation and seek input.

Recommendation

The Parish Steering Committee met three times during fall and winter to review parish and school finances, facility needs, projected enrollment, ability to pay the full cost of education and the overall education program. Committee members focused on the educational needs of the children and what the school was actually capable of providing. They also considered enrollment in nearby Presentation B.V.M. Parish Elementary School in Cheltenham and Saint James Parish Elementary School in Elkins Park. During the entire process, the Parish Steering Committee also asked the question, Can Saint Joseph Parish survive while supporting its own school? In light of all of the information gathered, the Parish Steering Committee recommended to Cardinal Rigali that Saint Joseph Parish School be closed in June 2004.