Archbishop Carlson Announces His Support of South City Catholic Education
From Msgr. Mike’s Desk
Over the past couple of years the parishes of the south city with schools have been strategizing for the future. Much of our fact finding and scenarios dissolved last Spring when parishes were unable to find common ground upon which to operate. Two of the local Catholic grade schools closed.
Discussions have continued among the south city pastors, the Catholic Education Office, the Strategic Planning Office, the Archdiocesan Finance Office, and the Archbishop’s Office. What has emerged is a
significant new initiative that the Archbishop has extended to the parishes and grade schools.
This “Partnership” between the Archdiocese and the south city parishes with schools basically states that as long as parishes can guarantee a minimum number of students while at the same time maintaining its current level of fundraising and subsidy, the Archdiocese will assist in any financial overage that may still be present.
Following is the Archbishop’s letter to us that explains the Archbishop’s commitment to the parish schools of south city:
Dear Parishioners and Parents of St. Joan of Arc Parish,
My vision for Catholic schools in South City and throughout the Archdiocese is very simple. I want all schools to be truly Alive in Christ. As centers of faith, learning and service, schools will be vibrant in their Catholic identity, growing in enrollment, financially healthy, and able to assist those in need. My Mission Advancement Initiative is aimed at charting a course for making this vision a reality.
Over the past two years, the pastor and principle of your parish school have been actively engaged in a dialogue with other parish- es in South City regarding the future of Catholic education and how our schools in this part of the city can meet the Mission Advancement Initiative priorities. The pastors have kept me informed of their discussions and I commend and thank them, the principals, parents, and parishioners who have been directly involved in this effort. These individuals have carefully considered a wide variety of options in maintaining quality Catholic schools in the future. I was also pleased to see that the opinions and thoughts of you, the parents and parishioners, were regularly sought and carefully considered throughout the process. Please know that I am grateful, not only for your willingness to respond, but more importantly for your patience and prayers throughout a very long process that left so many wondering about the future of their school.
After the pastors announced to you last November that all parish schools, with the exception of Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. John the Baptist Schools, would continue as parish-based schools for the coming year, I asked the pastors to work with the Archdi- ocesan Finance Council and the Catholic Education Center to review and summarize their work over the past two years in light of the Mission Advancement Initiative priorities. A summary of this review was shared with me over the summer. The report clearly indicates to me that our schools in the South City Deanery are:
adhering to the benchmarks for achieving excellence in faith formation. Schools are fully and authentically Catholic in their religious education and spiritual formation of students.
implementing the benchmarks for achieving excellence in academics. Schools are authentically professional in academic instruction in accordance with “best practices” in education today.
recruiting new students and are working to retain existing students. utilizing sound financial practices in managing their resources. working to assist those families in need of financial assistance.
I was indeed pleased with this report and, again, commend all who were involved in this very thorough and extensive study of Catholic education in South City. It is clear to me that the schools in this part of the Archdiocese can function quite effectively in the years ahead as vibrant and viable parish-based schools. Of course, our schools must continue to adhere to the priorities of the Mission Advancement Initiative in regard to Catholic identity and academics. Our schools must also maintain and grow enrollment and continue sound financial practices. I am especially encouraging pastors and principals to reach out to families asking them to prayerfully consider a Catholic school education for their children and to inform these parents of the scholarship options that are available to assist them. If a school adheres to these practices but still faces a financial challenge, the Archdiocese will work with the parish to address this challenge so that the school can continue to serve its families.
Again, I am grateful for all that has been done over the past two years to sustain the mission of Catholic elementary schools in South City. Know that our schools are vibrant and viable and it is my hope and prayer that together we can maintain and grow schools that are Alive in Christ in the years ahead.
Sincerely yours in Christ, +Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson
Archbishop of St. Louis
