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LeaveNoCatholicStudentBehind.com
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LeaveNoCatholicStudentBehind.com
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Much of what will happen to our schools will be determined by the Meitler Study.
Meitler Consulting group, which specializes in new school planning and reorganization, was hired by Bishop Joseph F. Martino and the Diocese of Scranton to make recommendations about the future of our Catholic Schools.
Many think this is the first step toward the regionalization of our Catholic elementary and high schools.
May 2006 Willismsport Catholic School Update:
(The following articles are taken from the Williamsport newspaper SUN GAZETTE and have been reprinted here with permission from the editor, Dave Troisi.)
Williamsport's Saint Joseph's elementary school will close due to "violence" in the neighborhood.
St. Joe’s to close: Neighborhood violence cited
By JACQUELINE ZERBE jzerbe@sungazette.com
For more than 125 years, St. Joseph Catholic School stood as a light in the local academic community — a haven of safety for those seeking education in a parochial setting.
But times have changed in the neighborhood and, in light of the recent shooting at the nearby Flanigan Park and low enrollment for 2006-07, the school will close, the Rev. John K. Manno said.
“It’s a very sad day,” said Manno, pastor of the Church of the Annunciation, for which St. Joseph’s was the parish school. “I had all my religious instruction there. I felt it had an incredible academic excellence ... and a tremendous family atmosphere.”
He said the March 27 shooting in the park — about two blocks away — was the last straw for the school, 711 W. Edwin St.
A Philadelphia man was killed and a teenage boy was wounded by a lone gunman in the shooting, which occurred about 4 p.m. on outdoor basketball courts crowded with people.
‘‘We were OK, but since that, we feel those incidents affected enrollment ... Parents pulled their children out.’’
As part of the consolidation of the county’s Catholic schools, plans were to convert St. Joseph’s to an early-childhood center. However, enrollment was insufficient to financially support such a center, said Susan Kaiser, coordinator for the St. John Neumann Regional Schools restructuring.
She said she and Manno met last week to discuss the future of the school.
In order operate the center’s planned three-year-old and four-year-old early-childhood classes, each class would need an enrollment of 14, Kaiser said. Only four children were signed up for each class.
Enrollment for next year is high at the three other early-childhood centers; Resurrection Catholic Church in Muncy, Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Bastress and St. Ann’s Convent in Loyalsock Township, she said.
Kaiser said closing of the elementary school at St. Joseph’s also hurt enrollment.
‘‘It’s sad that there will not be any children here next year but it’s an exciting time for the St. John Neumann Regional Schools,’’ Kaiser said.
The future of the building is undetermined, Manno said.
‘‘Our (Annunciation Church) building and grounds committee is looking into it,’’ he said. ‘‘We have different options: One would be to sell it, move the priest residence and office in and still use the building for religious education, or rent it out.’’
Manno said the building cannot be torn down because it is historical.
A closing banquet for St. Joseph’s will be held at 6 p.m. May 27 in the Annunciation Parish Center, 720 W. Fourth St., he said.
The banquet is still being planned, but ‘‘it will have a very meaningful program,’’ he said.
‘‘Even though we’ve had people’s concerns, I am confident; it’s not only my hope, my prayer, but my anticipation that we will solve these problems and that St. Joe’s will open to some capacity again some day.”
In January, a board of pastors — a panel consisting of pastors of all county Catholic parishes — under the direction of the Diocese of Scranton announced the consolidation of the area Catholic schools to form the St. John Neumann Regional Schools for the upcoming school year.
St. Joseph’s opened in 1878.
Its last high-school class graduated in 1969.
Seventh- and eighth-grade classes at the school ended in 1971.
"Are we one? Then let’s end the violence!” said the Rev. John K. Manno, rallying the crowd assembled at Annunciation Catholic Church, 702 W. Fourth St., Sunday afternoon."
The crowd cheered and the Mother’s Day march was on.
Last Mother’s Day, 16-year-old Terrance Baity was shot to death in the 600 block of Kaupp Place hear his Park Avenue home. Two other Williamsport residents were hospitalized with gunshot wounds from the same incident.
Sunday, city residents of diverse races, faiths and creeds gathered to remember not only Baity but also Michael K. Riley, 19, who was shot and killed in Flanigan Park on March 27.
Congregants from Temple Beth Ha Sholom, Annunciation, Trinity, Agape Fellowship, Christ Community Church, Antioch Baptist and others joined in the march.
Click here to read the entire May 15, 2006 Sun Gazette.com story.
Pupils attending the schools were given a draft of a form letter for parents to sign and send to each of the 13 members of the board of pastors.
The group asked parents and supporters to be respectful when writing letters to the clergy and to make it clear that all three of the schools should remain open.
An audience member asked, "Why are Catholic schools being closed and why are plans being changed locally?"
From mid-December, 2005:
STOMP THE RUMORS!
: DIOCESE DIVIDED - Parts 1 & 2 from WNEP-TV
An amazing story about how a Catholic school was "reborn" in Trinidad - after it was closed by the Bishop.
"Holy Trinity Academy formed during the summer of 2004 when, at the last minute, the Pueblo Diocese withdrew support from a parents group attempting to revive Trinidad Catholic Schools. Efforts to save the school were transformed nearly overnight into a major drive to start a new private religious school, secure facilities in which to meet, and start the school year off on schedule."
Approximately 947 Catholic School Students Lose Their Schools
Region 7 - Scranton Diocese
St. John the Baptist School, Pittston, PA 161 students - Closed June 14, 2004
St. Mary's School, Avoca, PA 127 students - Closed June 14, 2004
It all started on March 26, 2004, when the bombshell announcement came that two Catholic elementary schools, St. John the Baptist School in Pittston, PA, and Saint Mary's School, Avoca, Pennsylvania, would close abruptly at the end of the 2003-2004 school year. Bishop Joseph F. Martino made the final decision, although the official letter to parents clearly intended to give the impression that our Board of Pastors had made the decision.
Here is an excerpt from the official press release of March 26th, 2004:
"The comprehensive reorganization plan has been approved by 18 pastors of diocesan churches who support Catholic education in the region, in consultation with Bishop Martino, following significant study and analysis of the schools’ enrollment and facilities. The pastors represent parishes in Region 7 of the diocese’s school structure which encompasses Avoca, Dupont, Duryea, Exeter, Harding, Hughestown, Inkerman, Laflin, Pittston, West Pittston, West Wyoming and Wyoming.
As part of the reorganization, two of the diocesan elementary schools -- one in Avoca and the other in Pittston -- will close. The closings of St. Mary School, 742 Spring Street in Avoca, and St. John the Baptist School, 12 William Street, Pittston, will be effective at the end of the current school year."
Many, if not most, priests from the Board of Pastors denied having any prior knowledge of the impending school closings when confronted by concerned, upset, and sometimes angry parents/parishioners. Nor, claimed most pastors, had they been involved in the decision to close the schools nor had any knowledge of the "2 year study", other than a request for baptismal statistics some time prior, that the Diocese of Scranton and the Catholic Schools Office told local media had been conducted. Many pastors claimed that the first time they learned of the closings was the night of the official press release, March 26, 2004. It was on that night that the 18 pastors were called to a meeting by Bishop Martino and handed a letter announcing the closings. The letter had their names on it, and they were instructed to send it out immediately to parents of children attending St. John the Baptist Elementary School and Saint Mary's School, Avoca.
Bishop Joseph F. Martino made it very clear that his decision was FINAL, despite pleadings from the involved parents, children, faculty, priests and supporters of the two schools. Just about any alternative would have been acceptable by those about to lose their beloved schools: a merger, more time, or any other solution which would lessen the psychological trauma the children were obviously undergoing when faced with being separated from their lifelong classmates and friends. But no other options were considered, or even allowed for discussion, by Bishop Martino.
St. John the Baptist had 161 children enrolled at the time of closing.
St. Mary's School had 127 children enrolled at the time of closing.
Both schools closed on June 4, 2004. Some of these students assimilated into the 4 remaining Catholic elementary schools in the Pittston are. Many of these 288 students opted to enter the public school systems at Pittston Area, Wyoming Area, etc.
Transfiguration School, Hazleton is slated for closing at the end of this school year.
Go to the current web site set up to try and save Transfiguration School in Hazleton. Save Our Catholic Schools Hazleton
Because of new information regarding renovation costs and an impending strategic planning process for all of its Catholic schools, the Diocese of Scranton has announced some modifications to its plan for a regional school system in Hazleton.
The plan as announced in February called for the regionalization of the
Catholic grade schools and Bishop Hafey Junior/Senior High School to serve grades Pre-K through 12. The system would be supported by all parishes in the region.
Under that plan, Holy Trinity School closed in June due to its minimal enrollment. St. Joseph School, Transfiguration School (IMPORTANT DECEMBER 2005 UPDATE: according to a parish bulletin letter authored by Father Bob Timchak, pastor of Transfiguration in Hazleton, Transfiguration is ALSO in danger of closing at the suggestion of the Hazleton Board of Pastors.) and Holy Spirit Academy would remain open. At the end of the 2005-06 academic year, Holy Spirit Academy would be closed, leaving St. Joseph and Transfiguration (DEC. 2005 updated: Transfiguration now slated for closing)to serve the area. St. Joseph would be renovated to eventually accommodate more students.
Transfiguration Campus Information
TRANSFIGURATION CAMPUS (Grades PK-6) (Enrollment 134)
The renovation of St. Joseph was originally estimated to cost $250,000. Further analysis by the Burkavage Design Associates architectural firm has revealed that those costs could increase to $400,000 or more due to code updates and other work-related improvements that were not anticipated in the original estimate.
In addition, the Diocese recently announced it will soon embark on a strategic planning period that will focus on the strengthening and preservation of Catholic education in all geographic areas of the Diocese.
The process, which will begin this fall, will involve planning committees from parishes and schools comprised of educators and community leaders. These committees will analyze the specific aspects of Catholic education in each region, such as Catholic identity, enrollment trends, demographics, finances, physical structures and other distinct features that might pertain to a given area.
The planning process will also study the potential need for future Catholic schools in areas with growing populations.
In light of these circumstances, the most prudent course of action at this time is to revise our plans for Hazleton to meet present needs and also be able to respond to future needs, said Joseph G. Casciano, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Education/Superintendent of Catholic Schools.
After consultation with the pastors, Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D., Bishop of Scranton, has agreed to forego the plans for the renovation of St. Joseph School until the Diocesan Strategic Planning Committee presents its findings to him in the fall of 2006.
Parents and faculty were informed of the decision on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
We concluded that it was best to view this from a larger perspective. We are grateful to everyone who has worked with us to create a unified school system, and who will continue to help us define the future direction of Catholic education in this region," said Rev. Joseph J. Evanko, on behalf of the Board of Pastors of the Hazleton Catholic Elementary School system.
Meanwhile, the system will consist of the St. Joseph, Transfiguration and Holy Spirit campuses for this academic year. At present, enrollment at the three campuses is stable with transfers from the former Holy Trinity School and new students. The buildings have no deficiencies that would affect safety.
The future composition of the system will be determined by the viability of those schools and the results of the strategic planning process.
Our ultimate goal, of course, is to preserve and strengthen Catholic education so that it is available and affordable for parents in this region and throughout the Diocese,"¯ Mr. Casciano said.
Region 4 - Diocese of Scranton
Holy Trinity School
Holy Spirit Interparochial Academy (Grades PK-6) (Enrollment 178) - will close June 2005
Bishop Joseph F. Martino and the Diocese of Scranton Catholic Schools Office announced plans in early February 2005 to create a regional school system in the Hazleton area. The plan includes closing two parish schools within the next two years: Holy Trinity School and Holy Spirit School.
Holy Trinity School, Church Street, Hazleton, PA is scheduled to close at the end of the 2004-2005 school year.
Holy Spirit School is scheduled to close, as well. There is a combined enrollment of nearly 300 students.
St. Joseph's School, Hazleton, will remain opened. The Diocese of Scranton plans on spending $250,000 to renovate and expand the building. Another school in West Hazleton, the Transfiguration School, will also remain opened. (UPDATE DECEMBER 2005: Transfiguration Schools is now also slated for closing at the suggestion of the Board of Pastors of Hazleton. See update above!) Both schools will be renamed.
Region 1 - Diocese of Scranton
UPDATED: January, 2006:
As we all know, the following schools were closed by Bishop Martino & the Diocese of Scranton last year:
Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School Enrollment 138 Students - closed June 2005
Sacred Heart Intermediate Center Enrollment 238 Students- closed June 2005
Mothers' Day - May 14, 2006
Father Manno (Annunciation Parish in Williamsport) Leads Peaceful Rally Against Violence
January 20th, 2006:Hazleton Launches a "Save Our Catholic School" web site
Bishop Joseph F. Martino's office has announced that Transfiguration School in Hazleton will now close. Shocked and upset parents launched an unsuccessful letter writing campaign to try and save their school. They are not yet ready to give up. Visit their web site (link above) and click on "Doing More?".
FEB. 2006 - Sacred Heart School, Carbondale:
When the announcement came that Sacred Heart Jr. Sr. High School in Carbondale was slated for closure, the parents and supporters decided to do something to keep a high school in their own community. They raised money through pledges to pay off the school's debt. Unfortunately, these efforts did not save their school. Many former Sacred Heart students now attend St. Rose Academy in Mayfield, a newly formed private school which is true to the Catholic tradition but is not run by the Diocese of Scranton.
Older news....
The Fight to save Transfiguration School in Hazleton...
"Parents, students and supporters are trying to stop the plans to close Transfiguration before they become approved and seem ready to take steps beyond the Diocese of Scranton if necessary.
We have learned that Hazleton is now in danger of losing a THIRD Catholic school. (Holy Spirit and Holy Trinity was marked for closure last year)
Please click HERE to read more.
Heard a rumor going around about a Catholic school? Please, don't pass it on.
Find out from the authorities (the school, the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Scranton) if it's true or not.
And please, lets think - and speak - as positively as possible about the future of Catholic education in our Diocese.
"It appears many families in our area feel the bishop of the Diocese of Scranton is making the wrong decision by closing a Catholic high school in Carbondale." - story by Marisa Burke (Click link above)
5 Catholic Schools in the Scranton Diocese Closed Since June 2004
UPDATE JAN 2006: Transfiguration School campus is now in danger of closing. SCROLL DOWN...
Saint Joseph's school to close at end of 2006 school year - 4 schools will remain
Pittston Area Catholic Schools Decision: Two Elementary Schools Closed
Total Enrollment = 288 Catholic School Students
Hazleton Catholic Schools Decision: Two Elementary Schools Will Close
The following information was composed in the Fall of 2005. Now, in January 2006, the Board of Pastors has suggested closing a third Hazleton school, Transfiguration. Bishop Joseph F. Martino will close the school. Parents are not all willing to just accept this decision.
Please read below for the older news, with updates and links, to learn more.
Diocese Will Modify Reorganization Plan
for Hazleton Catholic Schools
The information below, including the enrollment figure, was taken from the official Diocese of Scranton web site on Dec. 19, 2005. It is listed under "Departments", then "Schools", then "Luzerne County".
217 West Green Street
West Hazleton, PA 18202
Ms. Sherry Ambrose, Principal
Phone: 454-6131 Fax: 454-8326
E-Mail: sherryambrose@yahoo.com
Web site: www.TransfigurationPA.com
Mrs. Peggy Popalis, Director of Religious Formation
Mr. Richard Pepsny; Mr. Frank Pollock, Athletic Directors
Secretary: Mrs. Ruth Milosh
Rev. Joseph Evanko, President of the Board of Pastors
Total Enrollment = 283 Catholic School Students
Carbondale Catholic Schools Decision: Two Catholic Schools To Close
Total Enrollment = 376 Catholic School Students
We also know that Bishop Martino refused to allow the school to remain opened, despite a huge fundraising and letter writing campaign.
Parents and supporters decided to start their own school.The new school could not, according to the Bishop, call itself "Catholic".
Here is the recent (January 4, 2006) story from the Scranton Times about the new school, which is called St. Rose Academy.: building purchase postponed
If the article is no longer available, you may go to the www.scrantontimes.com web site and purchase it. Also, if you would like to visit the web site for the new school formed by parents of former Sacred Heart students, you can copy and paste this address: www.stroseacademy.com (We are not affiliated with St. Rose Academy in Mayfield, PA, nor they with us. But the school follows and teaches Catholic tradition, and we wish them the best of luck.)
"It's the third time in the past 10 years that this has happened," said Principal Charlie Barlow. "Every time we see the concern about the school and rumors that the school is closing, we see enrollment go down." (January 17, 2005 during a prayer vigil to keep Sacred Heart opened).
A Scranton Times (Lisa Schencker 2/15/05) reported about how distraught the students of Sacred Heart were in an article published on that date.
Sacred Heart Junior - Senior High School, formerly known as St. Rose's School, recently raised over $180,000.00 to pay off the debt it owed. Apparently, that did not matter.
Enrollment has increased - and then declined - in recent years. However, the principal of the school has stated in interviews that the rumors of closure have hurt the enrollment:
Scranton Times article:MARCH 1, 2005 - Diocese - Bishop Martino Refuse Sacred Heart, Carbondale, Request To Run Own Private, Catholic School
"The Diocese of Scranton dismissed a plan Monday night that would have let Sacred Heart Junior Senior High School officials start their own private, Catholic school in the current high school building next year.
The diocese issued a statement rejecting any plans to revive the school."
Scranton Diocese's Bishop Joseph F. Martino's original decision to close Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School in Carbondale still stands. However, this latest turn of events means that at least two grades will not be separated this year. Certainly this is not as good as hearing that the high school will remained open (9th thru 12th), but it will mean that at least some students will be allowed to stay together.
We are sorry, the article about the Diocese of Scranton's decision is no longer available for free. Please check the www.scrantontimes.com archives for the article.
MARCH 5, 2005: SOME GOOD NEWS FOR CARBONDALE!!
Believe it or not, the Diocese of Scranton officials have decided to allow the 7th and 8th graders of Sacred Heart School to remain in the building with the lower grades, PreK through 6th grade.
A committee consisting of about 15 parents and supporters of Sacred Heart Carbondale tried unsuccessfully to get permission from the Diocese of Scranton officials to form a charter school with Bishop Martino's blessing. Permission was not given. The committee has decided to proceed on its own.
The new school will have no official Diocesan involvement and therefore cannot be referred to as "Catholic", but will teach Catholic doctrine.
APRIL 7, 2005: Sacred Heart Junior/Senior High School, Carbondale, closing
We heard the news on the radio : Sacred Heart Jr. Sr High School, which was slated for closing by Bishop Joseph F. Martino at the end of this school year, will close.
You can read the official closing announcement, which includes an enrollment trend chart, from the Diocese of Scranton HERE
Before the announcement that Carbondale's Sacred Heart Junior Senior High School would close, a woman sent a letter to the Scranton Times asking Bishop Martino to visit the school. You can read that letter here:
Here is an excerpt from the Sun Gazette article by Jacqueline Zerbe:
The Rev. Andrew Kurovsky, left, pastor at the Church of St. Ann; Msgr. Stephen D. McGough, president of the Bishop Neumann High School Board of Pastors; and the Rev. John K. Manno, right, of Church of the Annunciation, announce the formation of The St. John Neumann Regional Schools district Wednesday night at the high school.
Faced with dwindling enrollment and rising costs, officials have decided to reorganize Lycoming County’s Catholic schools.
The decision reached by area Catholic leaders is not as drastic as steps taken in other counties, where schools have been closed or consolidated.
Although the action announced Wednesday does not mean any school will close, it will involve cutting back on the number of faculty members and limiting outside use of the facilities.
All of the county schools will restructure to form the newly named St. John Neumann Regional Schools for the 2006-07 academic year.
Parents are very concerned about the changes...
‘‘I agree with what they’re doing, but I feel they could have saved additional money by closing some of the facilities instead,’’ Wrona said.
‘‘There’s still so many issue that need to be worked before parents can make up there minds on whether they want to continue sending their children to a Catholic school,’’ added Vanesa Daniele.
‘‘The thing that worries me is the faculty. We need a reason to pay the tuition,’’ said Jim LaPoint.
Melissa Jacobs offered another point of view:
‘‘I now have to go to two different schools to drop off my kids. I’m looking forward to the positive change but sad because our school (St. Joseph’s) has a lot of history ... My son is going from a class of 10 to a class of 25. I worry, is his education going to be affected?’’
Please click on the link (at top) to continue reading the article).
By JACQUELINE ZERBE - jzerbe@sungazette.com
Many (parents) appeared to echo the sentiments expressed by area resident Dave Wrona:
"Initial Phase of Williamsport Schools Study Concludes"
April 2004:
Mr. Clarence Eck of Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania makes makes the largest single donation (nearly $2 MILLION dollars) in the history of the Scranton Diocese.
Money to be used toward tuition assistance at Williamsport Catholic Schools
BISHOP NEUMANN JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL, Williamsport (Grades 7-12) - Enrollment 189
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL, Williamsport, PA (Grades K-6) - Enrollment 82
SAINT ANN SCHOOL, Williamsport, PA (Grades PK-6) - Enrollment 150
SAINT BONIFACE SCHOOL, Williamsport, PA (Grades PK-6) - Enrollment 140
SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL, Williamsport, PA (Grades PK-6) Enrollment 107
Williamsport Catholic Schools Decision: All Schools To Remain Open Throughout 2006
(The following is the official press release of February 9, 2005, issued by the Diocese of Scranton Catholic Schools Office)
The four Catholic elementary schools in the Williamsport area and Bishop Neumann Junior/Senior High School there will remain open for the 2005-2006 academic year. At the same time, further study will be conducted to explore various ways to strengthen and preserve the Catholic educational system in Lycoming County.
Those are the conclusions of the initial phase of a study conducted by the Diocese of Scranton of its schools in the region.
The next phase of the study, to be undertaken over the next few months, will focus on enhancing the Pre-K through 12 curriculum, improving physical facilities, and formulating a financial development plan to keep Catholic education affordable for the entire community.
Most Rev. Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D., bishop of Scranton, has accepted the recommendations and directed that the next phase of the study be continued.
"Our ultimate goal, of course, is to provide a Catholic education to the young people of this region in the best manner possible," Bishop Martino said. "We must continue to evaluate all available means that will enable us to do that."
The bishop noted that Bishop Neumann is the sole diocesan junior/senior high school in the region, with the nearest other Catholic high schools being in the Diocese of Harrisburg and in New York state. Thus, Bishop Neumann is the only viable option for Catholic secondary education in that part of the Diocese of Scranton.
The Board of Pastors of Bishop Neumann had requested a study of the educational system in the region.
The study, which began in November, has been focusing on the present status of Bishop Neumann as well as four elementary schools in that area: St. Joseph School,
St. Boniface School, St. Ann School and Immaculate Conception School.
Each elementary school includes Pre-Kindergarten to 6th grade; Bishop Neumann houses grades 7 through 12. The schools presently have a combined enrollment of nearly 670 students.
The study is being conducted by the Bishop's Advisory Commission on Catholic Education and the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools, with the assistance of the architectural and engineering firm, Burkavage Design Associates, Clarks Summit, and that firm's educational consultant/
planning partner, Stanton Leggett & Associates, Harrison, N.Y.
The process involved consultation with the principals of the five schools, faculty and parent representatives, and the pastors from each of the 10 parishes in Lycoming County that support the schools through parish assessments and tuition assistance.
"Our task now is to use the information gathered in the study's initial phase to help us develop a comprehensive plan to provide a high-quality Catholic education to students in Pre-K through 12 grade, and also ensure greater financial security for schools and parishes," said James P. Marcks, interim superintendent of diocesan Catholic schools.
The principals of Bishop Neumann and the Catholic elementary schools in Lycoming County will soon announce the registration process for each of their schools for the next academic year.
"What we said we`d do is commemorate the church in the branch design and maybe put up pictures of the church and try to evoke the church in the architectural features," said Steven Ackmann, the President and CEO of Fidelity Bank.
Fidelity says they need the property to remain competitive in Scranton.
Right now, there`s no word on when the bank could be up and running
St. John the Baptist Church, West Scranton, PA Slated for Wrecking Ball: Bank and Parking Lot Planned
Church was closed by Bishop Martino in October of last year, along with Holy Cross Church in Scranton.
Saint John the Baptist on Main Avenue in Scranton, a parish with a large German population, once flourished with a school, rectory, convent and large parking lot.
(Monday, April 11)
A historic church in West Scranton is about to meet the wrecking ball.
Fidelity Bank has bought Saint John the Baptist Church on South Main Avenue.
Within the next month, the company plans to demolish the church and build a West Scranton bank branch on the property.
Despite the change, the church`s new owners plan to keep the building`s memory alive.
Scranton Times article: Church Makes Room For Bank
Letter from Father Bob Timchak of Transfiguration Church in Hazleton
Father Bob disagrees that it would be best to close Transfiguration School. Hazleton has already lost TWO Catholic schools. Here is the open letter Father Bob wrote to his parishoners, asking them to let their feelings be respectfully known to Bishop Martino and others involved in the possible closing of one of the few remaining Hazleton Catholic schools.
 Dear
Friends - About one month ago, the Board of Pastors of Hazleton Catholic
Elementary (every Pastor in the Hazleton/Freeland deaneries) met to
discuss our elementary school consolidation. Many of the Pastors were
concerned with the financial strain that the Catholic school system, as
presently constituted, is putting on the parishes of our area and they
decided that the first step in alleviating this burden would be to close
the Transfiguration Campus at the end of this school year. They plan to
make this recommendation to Bishop Martino in the near future. Needless
to say, I was opposed to this new plan for many reasons. I do not think
that it will significantly ease any financial burdens and that the board
will be in a similar position next year and in the future. In addition,
closing the Transfiguration Campus would have serious negative
consequences for our parish and West Hazleton. I am not sure what
response Bishop Martino will give to this recommendation of the Board of
Pastors, but to be honest, I have little hope left. If you would like to
make your voice heard before a decision is finalized, then you can
contact the following appropriate people as you wish. Please remember to
be respectful and to conduct yourself as a true disciple of Jesus in any
correspondence.
In Jesus, Fr. Bob EMAIL & PHONE NUMBERS: Rev. Richard J. Loch (570) 595-9150 Episcopal Vicar - Eastern Pastoral Region Joseho G. Casciano (570) 207-2251 Secretary for Catholic Schools Joseph-Casciano@dioceseofscranton.org FOR MAILING: Please send letters to:
DIOCESE OF SCRANTON 300 WYOMING AVE. SCRANTON, PA 18503 |