Seton Supporter speaks out -

"Dear Bishop Martino: I wrote to you relative to the school closings when you decided to close St John the Baptist and St Marys schools. I totally understand bricks and mortar cost. Pittston City has four churches within a two block area. We are all Americans. We no longer need ethnic churches. The maintenance fees for three of these churches are unnecessary. No parish priest should have to scramble to continue to maintain three or four churches. We continue to maintain these churches to use them for one or two hours per week. This money would be better served in the Catholic Schools.

In addition, you allowed thousands of dollars to be used by the Meitler group. Do you realize that you have very educated parents and church members who would have performed this survey for free?

When you decided to close St John the Baptist and St Marys schools you lost a great number of students to the public school system. Now you talk about declining enrollment. If you had combined the two schools, the students would have remained in Catholic School . Further closings will be the beginning of the end of Catholic Education and church membership in this diocese.

Our focus must be placed on the children and their right to a Catholic Education. We don't need the television station either. The homebound could be ministered to by the laity and Social Concerns ministries. Masses could be taped on Sunday at minimal cost and viewed by any homebound person who wishes to see the Mass in their home.

Bishop Martino, you need to get out of the Real Estate Business and back to the Soul Saving Business. Close the churches that need closing before you decide to close the schools. Otherwise, you may just find yourself without a flock to lead and unemployed.

Remember, it is not about being right, it is about doing right."

Marie Manganiello

Seton Student speaks out - Class of 2008

"Hello,

I would like to introduce myself as a proud member of the junior class of Seton Catholic High School. As a junior, it hurts me so much to know that next year, I am forced to go to another school, because of these decisions of the diocese. I already went through this once at St. Mary's Avoca nearly three years ago, but luckily, my class was the last class. This, unfortunately, is not the case. I have made so many new friendships here at Seton. This decision to come to this fine establishment, was the best decision I have ever made. All that I have worked for is now gone.

My class was so close. We were like a family. We all loved each other, and we always had fun. To just even think about this makes my stomach weak. I had flashbacks today about St. Mary's, and it brought chills up my spine.

Mr. Redington spoke to us, the junior class, first today, because we were the class that was most impacted by this. He said that we all needed to stick together as a class, and make this the best year Seton has ever seen. He said this quote that will forever be embedded in my mind. " Once an eagle, always and eagle. You, are ours." He is completely right about this. We will always be an eagle, now and forever.

This website that has been created for people to go for some comfort, it very helpful. When SMA, and SJB closed, I went to this website all the time, just to see my school for one more time. Thank you for all you do, and continue to do.

It will be hard for all of us. In June, I will take a hard look at Seton, just like I did with SMA, and leave it behind once again. In tears, my classmates and myself will now part our ways and leave our beloved school that we have all come to love so much. No one will ever take away our memories.

Before I leave you, the reason for this e-mail is to state that Seton Catholic will go down with a fight. We are in our darkest hour, and we will prevail. Always remember the Alma Mater, "Eagles are forevermore."

Thank You
Aubre Mayorowski