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 Anticipating the “ax to fall” did not cushion that blow as parishioners of St. Bridget Roman Catholic Parish in East Falls learned on January 6th of this year that its school was listed for “consolidation” by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
St. Bridget School, the Archdiocese’s “Blue Ribbon Commission” had determined, would merge with Holy Child School, a “regional” school in Manayunk, at its Hermitage Street site. The consolidation would mean transporting St. Bridget’s 215 students to another community. Already a merger of four Catholic Schools in Manayunk, Holy Child was formed several years ago in the Archdiocese’s last round of closures and consolidations.
Since 2000, enrollment in Diocesan schools has declined about 40%. Older buildings in need of repair have drained parish resources. Enrollment has been declining, while tuition rarely covers the mounting costs. As St. Bridget’s pastor, principal, parishioners and parents considered the weight of the decision on students as well as the East Falls community, they learned that objections would be heard and considered by an Archdiocesan Review Committee for Elementary Schools. On January 19th, representatives from both schools, including the pastors and principals, appeared before the Review Committee to learn how it had determined which school was chosen as the new regional (merged) site. At that meeting, the Review Committee was to present the facts used in reaching the recommendation for each school, while school representatives would be given the opportunity to “present an appeal based on facts and documentation.” That “Appeal,” a proposal to locate the new “regional” school at the St. Bridget School site presented by St. Bridget’s representatives included a number of key facts relative to school enrollments, facilities and locations, including demographics of the East Falls and Manayunk parishes and neighborhoods. Based upon these facts, the proposal as presented concluded that the East Falls location would provide the new regional school the best chance for sustainable future success. The Review Committee was to present all of the information to Archbishop Charles Chaput for his consideration. The Archbishop will make the final decision. That information is to be released by mid-February. Photo caption: St. Bridget School – view from Midvale Ave. parking lot
Photo/THE FALLSER: Courtesy of NewsWorks.org
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