UPON SEEING the closing and merging of many schools by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, one has to wonder why this is being done and what could have stopped it.
With the emergence of the charter schools throughout the city, declining enrollment was to be expected and, of course, increased tuition is always a factor. One factor not brought up by the blue-ribbon commission is the refusal of the Catholic Church to help their own. Growing up Catholic all my life has allowed me to see the church and its vast array of charitable efforts throughout the world.
With the emergence of the charter schools throughout the city, declining enrollment was to be expected and, of course, increased tuition is always a factor. One factor not brought up by the blue-ribbon commission is the refusal of the Catholic Church to help their own. Growing up Catholic all my life has allowed me to see the church and its vast array of charitable efforts throughout the world.
An early-morning snowstorm in New Hampshire has already caused numerous school closings and delays.
At the Statehouse, House Speaker William O'Brien has canceled legislative business for Thursday.
The snow is expected to mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain over southern New Hampshire.
Here are the list of Archdiocese of Philadelphia's school closings/mergers, announced Jan. 6:
St. Michael the Archangel, Levittown, merges with Our Lady of Grace, Penndel at the Penndel site.
St. Mark, Bristol, merges with St. Ephrem, Bensalem, at the Bensalem site.
Assumption BVM, Feasterville, merges with St. Bede the Venerable, Holland, at the Holland site.
Holy Trinity, Morrisville, merges with St. John the Evangelist, Lower Makefield, at the Lower Makefield site.
On Dec 14th, parents, teachers, community members, and the CTU Community Board (Coalition of the CTU and community groups, including TSJ), w/ support from Occupy Chicago, shut down the Board of Education meeting. A big shout out to TSJ members who attended the vigil in front the Board on Dec. 13, slept out on the sidewalk in front of CPS Headquarters in the rain, brought the campers food and coffee, showed up before 6 Am with more coffee and spirit, and attended the Board meeting.
Lay Catholic females not only represent a large portion of the Archdiocese's population, we also are a huge percentage of decision-makers when it comes to being consumers of Catholic education.
Those of us who are mothers make up a majority of the Archdiocese's customers. Yet, they thought it acceptable to provide only a 6 percent voice to us on their commission.
This begs the question: What consideration was given to the unique perspective that lay female Catholics have (from the perspective of members of the faith community as well as the consumer base) in the commission's findings?
At the Statehouse, House Speaker William O'Brien has canceled legislative business for Thursday.
The snow is expected to mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain over southern New Hampshire.
Here are the list of Archdiocese of Philadelphia's school closings/mergers, announced Jan. 6:
St. Michael the Archangel, Levittown, merges with Our Lady of Grace, Penndel at the Penndel site.
St. Mark, Bristol, merges with St. Ephrem, Bensalem, at the Bensalem site.
Assumption BVM, Feasterville, merges with St. Bede the Venerable, Holland, at the Holland site.
Holy Trinity, Morrisville, merges with St. John the Evangelist, Lower Makefield, at the Lower Makefield site.
On Dec 14th, parents, teachers, community members, and the CTU Community Board (Coalition of the CTU and community groups, including TSJ), w/ support from Occupy Chicago, shut down the Board of Education meeting. A big shout out to TSJ members who attended the vigil in front the Board on Dec. 13, slept out on the sidewalk in front of CPS Headquarters in the rain, brought the campers food and coffee, showed up before 6 Am with more coffee and spirit, and attended the Board meeting.
Lay Catholic females not only represent a large portion of the Archdiocese's population, we also are a huge percentage of decision-makers when it comes to being consumers of Catholic education.
Those of us who are mothers make up a majority of the Archdiocese's customers. Yet, they thought it acceptable to provide only a 6 percent voice to us on their commission.
This begs the question: What consideration was given to the unique perspective that lay female Catholics have (from the perspective of members of the faith community as well as the consumer base) in the commission's findings?
