"Bankruptcy case brings financial fears for Catholic schools"

http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/289741901.html

"As president of an inner-city Catholic grade school that depends critically on donations, Helen Dahlman admits to an unconventional fundraising strategy.

“We believe in miracles, so we pray a lot,” said Dahlman, who leads Risen Christ School in south Minneapolis, a place devoted to poor immigrants and other severely disadvantaged kids.

Risen Christ is among dozens of Catholic schools across the Twin Cities watching how the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis shoulders millions of dollars of anticipated debt from clergy sexual abuse lawsuits. And as the church’s bankruptcy case unfolds, they are keeping the faith that it won’t have ripple effects on their finances.

Catholic leaders in St. Paul have said repeatedly that the church’s decentralized corporate structure will protect individual schools and parishes from financial harm — a stance proven correct in other U.S. Catholic church bankruptcies."

"Seton chorus starts Catholic Schools Week on high note"

http://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/2015/01/25/seton-chorus-starts-catholic-schools-week-high-note/22320303/

"For a brief time Sunday afternoon, shoppers at the Oakdale Mall drifted from store to store to the sounds of “Ave Maria,” sung by the Seton Catholic Central Select Chorus.

The song was part of a performance given by the chorus and a pair of soloists at the mall’s center court to mark the start of Catholic Schools Week, a nationwide event that runs through Saturday.

The week is an opportunity to celebrate the role that Catholic schools play in the growth and development of their communities, Seton Catholic Central Principal Richard Bucci said."

"Archbishop Lucas: We Want Our Catholic Schools to Be Vibrant"

http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CatholicEducationDaily/DetailsPage/tabid/102/ArticleID/3905/Archbishop-Lucas-We-Want-Our-Catholic-Schools-to-Be-Vibrant.aspx

"The various challenges facing Catholic schools and their mission in serving the New Evangelization were recently discussed at length during an online conference hosted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha, Neb., shared his insights and answered public questions about education, along with Sister John Mary Fleming, O.P., and Mar Munoz-Visoso.

Catholic education is “a lot of work,” said Archbishop Lucas, who also serves as the Chair of the Committee on Catholic Education for the USCCB. “Catholic education has always required sacrifice and dedication, and it still does.” He maintained that “we want our schools to be vibrant,” and as such it requires “an effort that is very much at the heart of the work of the Gospel.”"

From the Bishop of Yakima: "Praise for Catholic schools"

Read the rest @ http://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/saturdaysoapbox/2845208-8/saturday-soapbox-praise-for-catholic-schools

"Precisely when and where the first Catholic school began in this country is a bit of a mystery. What is known, though, is that Catholic education dates back, historically, to at least the year 1606. Now, more than 400 years later, we celebrate the benefits and strengths of Catholic education throughout the week of Jan. 25-31 — Catholic Schools Week 2015.

So, what’s important about Catholic education? Well, to quote The Most Rev. Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, “Catholic school graduates make good citizens, deeply committed to social justice, the care of the poor and the planet, proud volunteers in the church and in the community."

"6 Northwest Side Catholic schools asked to work together for reorganization"

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-northwest-catholic-schools-met-20150120-story.html

"After announcing that 13 Roman Catholic schools will close or consolidate by the end of the school year, the Chicago Archdiocese confirmed Tuesday that Archbishop Blase Cupich has suggested six more schools on the Northwest Side collaborate starting in the 2016-17 school year.

Though how the collaboration will play out is not clear, St. Pascal, St. Constance, St. Cornelius, Our Lady of Victory, St. Tarcissus, and St. Thecla would work together to develop a regional plan for Catholic education on the city's Northwest Side."

"Suburban Catholic schools grow in Western Pennsylvania"

http://triblive.com/news/editorspicks/7610444-74/catholic-schools-enrollment#axzz3PrIk9MHf

"Enrollment at the region's Catholic schools continues to dwindle, but there is growth in a handful of suburban areas, according to statistics from the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

The number of students in the Catholic education system in the Pittsburgh region has fallen 17 percent in the past five years.

About 19,000 children from preschool to 12th grade are enrolled in local Catholic schools. In 2010-11, the total was 23,000.

The enrollment figures were released in advance of Catholic Schools Week, which began Sunday. The week celebrates Catholic education through open houses and other activities.

Even though enrollment fell in each of the past five years, the decline has begun to level off, said Michael Latusek, the diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools."

"Red letter day: Hard work paying off for incoming Catholic high school students"

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/01/red_letter_day_hard_work_payin.html

"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- There were so many hugs, kisses and congratulations going on Friday afternoon in the New Dorp home of retired NYPD Officer Joseph Brusgard and his wife, Judith, that you might have thought the family just won a lottery.

Even better, for them: Their oldest child, Christina, an eighth-grader at Our Lady Queen of Peace School, just won a full, four-year scholarship to St. Joseph-by-the-Sea High School, Huguenot. She also was accepted for admission to the honors program at St. John Villa Academy, Arrochar, and Notre Dame Academy, Grymes Hill."

"Slate Belt's Pius X, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic schools closing"

http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-pius-x-closing-20150116-story.html

"Pius X Junior/Senior High School in Bangor and Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Roseto will close at the end of the school year, victims of declining enrollment and increasing costs, the Catholic Diocese of Allentown announced Friday afternoon.

Immaculate Conception School in Pen Argyl, meanwhile, will add seventh and eighth grades next year to accommodate displaced students.


In a statement, the diocese said enrollment at Pius X has declined almost 43 percent since 2011 and is now just 165 students in Grades 7 through 12. Enrollment projections for next year estimated a further decline to 150 students.


The school expects to end the fiscal year with an operating debt of $1.2 million, the statement said. This doesn't include a diocesan subsidy of more than $1 million since the 2009-10 school year."

"Catholic school goes public to serve students"

http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/education/2015/01/16/de-la-salle-goes-public-martellaro-diffin/21900779/


"ST. LOUIS (KSDK) - For many De La Salle Middle School students, their school is about more than reading, writing, and math. In fact, former student Johnelle McGee believes that without De La Salle, she may not be heading to college this fall.


"They gave me a lot of encouragement, helped me build confidence. They just told me to go get it, and I could do it," said McGee.


She's talking about the teachers she had while attending De La Salle. And, those teachers' lessons didn't stop after she left the classroom."

"Lourdes to celebrate Catholic Schools Week"

http://newsitem.com/news/lourdes-to-celebrate-catholic-schools-week-1.1819678


"COAL TOWNSHIP - Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School will join thousands of schools across the United States in the celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 25 to 31.


Catholic Schools Week is a time for everyone to reaffirm the spiritual value of our children in the eyes of God, to encourage students to reach for academic achievement, to recognize parents for their sacrifices on behalf of their children's education, and to acknowledge teachers, staff and administration in Catholic schools for their loving dedication and professionalism."

"Catholic education provides extra qualities"

http://www.albertleatribune.com/2015/01/catholic-education-provides-extra-qualities/

All of the qualities that one could get from a Catholic education.

-Edward Lamb

"Will more Catholic schools be closed?"

http://www.silive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/01/will_more_catholic_schools_be.html

"The Archdiocese of New York isn't exactly known for transparency in the way it runs Catholic schools on Staten Island and elsewhere. Going into 2015, the outlook is typically murky.

It's uncertain at this point whether the archdiocese is prepared to close up to 20 schools in its system over the next two years based on the outcome of contract negotiations with lay teachers, but the archdiocese is putting that possibility out there."

"Morris Catholic High school raises money for Comfort Zone Camp"

http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/morris-catholic-high-school-raises-money-for-comfort-zone-camp-1.1187008

"Lexi Finn, a senior at Morris Catholic High School spearheaded a "Blue Out" to raise money for her favorite nonprofit cause, Comfort Zone Camp. Students were asked to donate $3 each in exchange for the right to wear a blue shirt and jeans in lieu of their required private school uniform."

"Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools Foundation to Honor School Sisters of Notre Dame"

http://quincyjournal.com/up,-down-and-around-town/2015/01/05/quincy-catholic-elementary-schools-foundation-to-honor-school-sisters-of-notre-dame/

"The School Sisters of Notre Dame have been selected as recipients of the 2015 Quincy Catholic Elementary Schools (QCES) Foundation’s Friend of Catholic Education Award in recognition of their years of service to both Catholic elementary and secondary education in Quincy.  Established in 2009, the award recognizes an individual, couple or organization whose contributions have significantly fostered and strengthened Catholic schools in the Quincy community.  

The School Sisters of Notre Dame have had a continuous presence in Quincy  since November 1, 1895, when Mother Caroline Friess, a School Sister of Notre Dame and anative of Bavaria, arrived in Quincy via steamboat, to survey the possibility of educating the children of German immigrants.  Moved by their desire to educate their children, Mother Caroline sent for more School Sisters of Notre Dame to teach the children of these German immigrants.  Within a few weeks, a school/convent was ready for the sisters, and on Dec. 27, 1859, three additional sisters arrived in Quincy to begin teaching at the newly established St. Boniface School, which had an enrollment of 400 students.  The School Sisters of Notre Dame would go on to teach at St. Boniface School for the next 119 years." 

"Office Promoting Schools’ Catholic Identity Takes First Steps in San Francisco Archdiocese"

http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CatholicEducationDaily/DetailsPage/tabid/102/ArticleID/3842/Office-Promoting-Schools%E2%80%99-Catholic-Identity-Takes-First-Steps-in-San-Francisco-Archdiocese.aspx

"High school administrators in the Archdiocese of San Francisco recently met to discuss the new Office of Catholic Identity Assessment that is set to begin in the new year, according to the National Catholic Reporter. The recently announced office will work to help Catholic high schools ensure and strengthen their Catholic identity."

"Supporters put together high school expansion plan for Roman"

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20141230_Supporters_put_together_high_school_expansion_plan_for_Roman.html

"A group of business people and professionals has assembled properties for new classrooms, a field house, a fine arts center, and parking at all-boys Roman Catholic High School so it can grow beyond its 124-year-old Gothic home at Broad and Vine Streets."

"Catholic School, Church Vandalized"

http://kuer.org/post/catholic-school-church-vandalized

"Salt Lake City Police are asking the public for help finding the person or people responsible for vandalizing a Roman Catholic high school and church over the weekend."