Harry Vanderslice's statement concerning St. Augustine's
Save our School rally Thursday morning -
It is with profound sadness that we, the Catholic population of Ocean City, received the news from Bishop Galante that our children will no longer have the opportunity to receive a Catholic education.
I am in SHOCK that we are even standing here today, when one relates to the words of Bishop Galante in February, 2006 when he was questioned about the future of St. Augustine's. His answer to our congregation was "why do you ask that? I believe in Catholic education and St. Augustine's is in no danger of closing. Your school is doing fine."
The parents, parishioners and friends of the school believe that the decision to close our school is in direct conflict with what the church leadership had previously stated and promised.
As practicing Catholics, we are at this time in the midst of this faith crisis, asking the Bishop for the opportunity to prove that open enrollment will result in the revitalization of the St. Augustine's student body. We feel that the Bishop was misadvised by the School Planning Committee. We are oping for an open dialogue in which we can discuss the basis of the decision to close the school because we are confident that a close, reasoned examination of the rationale submitted in the Cluster 11 report will result in a reconsideration of this decision.
We want to ensure that the Bisphop is aware of the following:
* St. Augstine's is debt-free, financially self-sufficient and receives no funding from the Camden Diocese.
* There is no realistic Catholic school option for the students currently attending St. Augustine's.
* There is room for expansion and a motivated community capable of raising the capital necessary to improve and expand the St. Augustine's facility.
* We are concerned that the proposed cost-based tuition plan will alienate parishioners and cause them to divert contributions from weekly Sunday collections to individual school families, thereby undermining the parish financial structures.
* The priests who lead all three parishes in Ocean City have stated in a letter dated October 22, 2007 that they are strong proponents of Catholic education and more specifically the value St. Augustine's brings to the Catholic community in Ocean City; further, they are committed to maintaining their support to ensure that St. Augustine's will remain a viable institution for Catholic education in Ocean City.
* The mayor and city council have voiced their support for St. Augustine's and recognize its contribution to America's Greatest Family Resort.
The St. Augustine's community is a family. As in any family, the most important members are our children because they are our future. The parents, parishioners and friends of St. Augustine's Regional School are committed to ensuring that the children of Ocean City are given the same consideration and the same opportunity for Catholic education as other children throughout the Camden Diocese.
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