From "Citizens for a Decent Community"
If you have taken steps to resolve your concerns with your Priest or Bishop, but to no avail, you should bring the matter to the attention of those Church Officials responsible for the particular concern that you have. Your correspondence with them should be logical, factual, documented and most of all charitable:
Appointment and Conduct of Bishops:
Cardinal Francis Arrinze (Your Eminence)
Prefect, COngregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments
Piazza Pio XII, 10
00193 Vatican City
Telephone: 011 390-6-6988-4217
Matters Affecting Education:
Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski (Your Eminence)
Prefect, Congregation for Catholic Education and SEinaries
Piazza Pio XII, 3
00193 Vatican City
Telephone: 011-390-6-6988-4156
Matters Affecting Catechetics:
Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos (Your Eminence)
Piazza Pio XII, 3
00193 Vatican City
Telephone: 011 390-6-6988-4136
Liturgical Abuses:
Cardinal Francis Arrinze (Your Eminence)
Prefect, Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments
Piazza Pio XII, 10
00193 Vatican City
Telephone: 011 390-6-6988-4368
Cardinal Edward M. Egan (Your Excellency)
Archbishop of New York
1011 First Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Telephone: (212) 371-1000
Liturgical Matters in the Diocese
Dennis Pouse, Conference of Bishops in New York State
465 State Street
Albany, NY 12203-1004
Telephone: (518) 434-6195
E-Mail: info@nyscatholicconference.org
Web Site: www.NYSCatholicConference.org
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Let's Show Our Commitment to the Mission of Catholic Schools:
Most of us will agree that our children have decent alternatives for their education. That is not true for the WIN students. If they can't find a place in this new system, they are going to be forced to walk through dangerous neighborhoods to under-performing schools.
These families are expected to pay registration and financial aid application fees before the Diocese will even tell them if financial aid is available. That is money they need for necessities for their families that they cannot afford to lose.
If you are interested in giving them "Nothing to Lose", please consider donating money to one of the WIN schools listed below with a letter designating that it is to be used for registration fees or past-due tuition. Any amount will help. It would show these families that we are not abandoning them in our efforts to keep our own schools open. In addition, it might force the Diocese to set up a financial aid endowment to continue this important mission of our Church.
Mrs. Susan Sax
Corpus Christi School
546 Oxford St.
Rochester, NY 14607-3297
Sister Mary Smith, SSND
St. Boniface School
15 Whalin St.
Rochester, NY 14620-1399
Mrs. Mary Ellen Wagner
Holy Family School
899 Jay St.
Rochester, NY 14611-1219
Mrs. Olena Lylak
St. Monica School
841 Genesee St.
Rochester, NY 14611-3838
Mrs. Tracy Nadler
St. Andrew School
901 Portland Ave.
Rochester, NY 14621-4194
Mrs. Kathleen Dougherty
Cathedral School @ Holy Rosary
420 Lexington Ave
Rochester, NY 14613-1997
These families are expected to pay registration and financial aid application fees before the Diocese will even tell them if financial aid is available. That is money they need for necessities for their families that they cannot afford to lose.
If you are interested in giving them "Nothing to Lose", please consider donating money to one of the WIN schools listed below with a letter designating that it is to be used for registration fees or past-due tuition. Any amount will help. It would show these families that we are not abandoning them in our efforts to keep our own schools open. In addition, it might force the Diocese to set up a financial aid endowment to continue this important mission of our Church.
Mrs. Susan Sax
Corpus Christi School
546 Oxford St.
Rochester, NY 14607-3297
Sister Mary Smith, SSND
St. Boniface School
15 Whalin St.
Rochester, NY 14620-1399
Mrs. Mary Ellen Wagner
Holy Family School
899 Jay St.
Rochester, NY 14611-1219
Mrs. Olena Lylak
St. Monica School
841 Genesee St.
Rochester, NY 14611-3838
Mrs. Tracy Nadler
St. Andrew School
901 Portland Ave.
Rochester, NY 14621-4194
Mrs. Kathleen Dougherty
Cathedral School @ Holy Rosary
420 Lexington Ave
Rochester, NY 14613-1997
Monday, February 18, 2008
Presentation by Good Shephard School
The presentation to the Diocese by Good Shephard School is included in the Important Files section for your information. Or follow the link here
Sunday, February 17, 2008
New Compilation Site.
Check out this site.
It is a blog put together by Mike McDougall of Good Shepherd School as an an ongoing compilation of news reports, etc. from the schools debacle. Very nicely done!
It is a blog put together by Mike McDougall of Good Shepherd School as an an ongoing compilation of news reports, etc. from the schools debacle. Very nicely done!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
**UPDATED** Rally organized in conjunction with many of the closed schools
Rally planned for Friday afternoon, 3:30pm or thereafter at SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL, at 296 Flower City Park
We were given the okay from the City and the Police Department. You can park across from the Cathedral, however, if you are asked to move, which they doubt, then just calmly move it. Car pool if possible.
Let's keep it prayerful and stay positive.
We certainly want to be heard and represent our view. Let's endeavor to do it in a Christian way. Remember we are bringing our children and should be role models for them.
Picket will continue through the dinner and news hours. Several news outlets have already picked up on this.
Make some VISIBLE, CLEVER signs - "Let us help ourselves", "We demand answers", etc.
There has been extremely enthusiastic agreement so far from all of the schools involved.
Can someone post a link to making a good picket sign??
BRING YOUR CHILDREN!!!!!! In uniform, of course - have older kids in Catholic Schools? BRING THEM TOO - invite anyone,everyone you know.
We have nothing to lose now, they already took away our schools!
We were given the okay from the City and the Police Department. You can park across from the Cathedral, however, if you are asked to move, which they doubt, then just calmly move it. Car pool if possible.
Let's keep it prayerful and stay positive.
We certainly want to be heard and represent our view. Let's endeavor to do it in a Christian way. Remember we are bringing our children and should be role models for them.
Picket will continue through the dinner and news hours. Several news outlets have already picked up on this.
Make some VISIBLE, CLEVER signs - "Let us help ourselves", "We demand answers", etc.
There has been extremely enthusiastic agreement so far from all of the schools involved.
Can someone post a link to making a good picket sign??
BRING YOUR CHILDREN!!!!!! In uniform, of course - have older kids in Catholic Schools? BRING THEM TOO - invite anyone,everyone you know.
We have nothing to lose now, they already took away our schools!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Moving Forward... and a big THANK YOU!!!
As suggested in a comment below, people feel free to comment here on your impressions of schools you have visited. This may help other parents in selecting schools to visit, or be a sounding board for those who are undecided.
I would also like to personally thank all of you for the incredible work you have done over these short few weeks. Please also comment here and let all of the committee members and presenters know your thanks (please, name people!!!!!).
I think we all know that we put together the best presentation that we could have. The fact that NO changes were made shows that the effort was futile from the start, and no one needs to feel that we could have done better.
I would also like to personally thank all of you for the incredible work you have done over these short few weeks. Please also comment here and let all of the committee members and presenters know your thanks (please, name people!!!!!).
I think we all know that we put together the best presentation that we could have. The fact that NO changes were made shows that the effort was futile from the start, and no one needs to feel that we could have done better.
Is Today the Day????
It seems that today is the day that the Diocese will announce their decision.. I will post something as soon as I hear anything. E-mail me if you hear anything!!!!
Wham 1180 is also expecting the results today:
http://www.wham1180.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=122742&article=3266278
Wham 1180 is also expecting the results today:
http://www.wham1180.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=122742&article=3266278
Another Report from the Meeting
From Bernadette Lynch, who was present at the meeting.
Marty Swenson, John Gantert, Fr. Tim Horan, Linda Pizzo, Terri Meechan, Joanne Knorr, Mary Santos and Bernadette Lynch from St. Margaret Mary School met with Diocesan representatives on Thursday at the school to present our plan -- an affiliated school which would create a partnership among the school, the parish, and the Diocese. Present from the Diocese were Sr. Janice Morgan, interim superintendent of Monroe County Catholic Schools, Fr. Joseph Hart, Vicar General and Moderator, Lisa Passero, Chief Financial Officer, Doug Mandelaro, Director of Stewardship and Communication, and Patricia Jones, Assistant Superintendent of Monroe County Catholic Schools.
Overall the general feeling of the group after the meeting was very positive. All Diocesan representatives listened attentively to our plan. There were few questions at the end; mostly points of clarification. We took this as a positive sign as well.
The Diocesan representatives told us that there were two remaining meetings on Friday (Holy Cross and St. John's in Spencerport). After those meetings, they were going to review all the plans, present the information to the Bishop (he has been kept informed all along) and plan to make a decision early next week. They are hoping to have a final decision on Tuesday as registration begins on Wednesday. Again, this was looked upon in a positive light as we believe the Diocese is seriously considering the plans. Sr. Janice stated that many ideas were presented that had never even been considered before.
Other schools meeting with Diocesan officials were St. John of Rochester (Fairport), Holy Trinity, Good Shepherd, and the city WIN schools (met as a group).
The St. Margaret Mary School representatives appreciated all the support and prayers that occurred during the meeting time. Whatever the Diocesan decision may be, we can all be proud of the extraordinary effort that went into our plan. We, without a doubt, put our best foot forward. Let's keep praying and hoping that we will hear something positive on Tuesday!
Marty Swenson, John Gantert, Fr. Tim Horan, Linda Pizzo, Terri Meechan, Joanne Knorr, Mary Santos and Bernadette Lynch from St. Margaret Mary School met with Diocesan representatives on Thursday at the school to present our plan -- an affiliated school which would create a partnership among the school, the parish, and the Diocese. Present from the Diocese were Sr. Janice Morgan, interim superintendent of Monroe County Catholic Schools, Fr. Joseph Hart, Vicar General and Moderator, Lisa Passero, Chief Financial Officer, Doug Mandelaro, Director of Stewardship and Communication, and Patricia Jones, Assistant Superintendent of Monroe County Catholic Schools.
Overall the general feeling of the group after the meeting was very positive. All Diocesan representatives listened attentively to our plan. There were few questions at the end; mostly points of clarification. We took this as a positive sign as well.
The Diocesan representatives told us that there were two remaining meetings on Friday (Holy Cross and St. John's in Spencerport). After those meetings, they were going to review all the plans, present the information to the Bishop (he has been kept informed all along) and plan to make a decision early next week. They are hoping to have a final decision on Tuesday as registration begins on Wednesday. Again, this was looked upon in a positive light as we believe the Diocese is seriously considering the plans. Sr. Janice stated that many ideas were presented that had never even been considered before.
Other schools meeting with Diocesan officials were St. John of Rochester (Fairport), Holy Trinity, Good Shepherd, and the city WIN schools (met as a group).
The St. Margaret Mary School representatives appreciated all the support and prayers that occurred during the meeting time. Whatever the Diocesan decision may be, we can all be proud of the extraordinary effort that went into our plan. We, without a doubt, put our best foot forward. Let's keep praying and hoping that we will hear something positive on Tuesday!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
A Report on the Presentation to the Diocese
Linny Evans sent this along, so I thought I'd share it.
The meeting with the Diocese on Thursday went as well as we could have hoped for. Five representatives came from the Diocese; Father Hart, Sr. Janice Morgan (interim superintendent), Lisa Passero (CFO), Patricia Jones (assistant superintendent), and Doug Mandelaro (Diocesan spokesperson).
Our presentation focused on becoming an affiliate school and how we could be a benefit to the Diocese. The financial implications of this proposal were presented in a clear and thorough manner. The Diocesan representatives seemed to be listening in an open manner. The questions they asked at the end were thoughtful and showed that they heard what we had presented. They seemed to be impressed with our technology program and how it is integrated and applied on a daily basis by all children. Father Tim's piece of the presentation was very powerful and extremely supportive of our school. He made it very clear that St Margaret Mary school has the complete and full support from the parish, in all aspects, including financial. Sr. Janice said that we should hear by the early part of next week and that they were impressed with the many good ideas from several of the schools.
The presentation would not have happened without the many hours of hard work by so many people. Everyone in our community contributed to this presentation: phone calls, research, pledges, crunching numbers and prayer. And it showed. This was absolutely the best presentation we could have given.
Thank you, Linny, for providing us with this summary.. and a big thanks to everyone who worked to get this done.
The meeting with the Diocese on Thursday went as well as we could have hoped for. Five representatives came from the Diocese; Father Hart, Sr. Janice Morgan (interim superintendent), Lisa Passero (CFO), Patricia Jones (assistant superintendent), and Doug Mandelaro (Diocesan spokesperson).
Our presentation focused on becoming an affiliate school and how we could be a benefit to the Diocese. The financial implications of this proposal were presented in a clear and thorough manner. The Diocesan representatives seemed to be listening in an open manner. The questions they asked at the end were thoughtful and showed that they heard what we had presented. They seemed to be impressed with our technology program and how it is integrated and applied on a daily basis by all children. Father Tim's piece of the presentation was very powerful and extremely supportive of our school. He made it very clear that St Margaret Mary school has the complete and full support from the parish, in all aspects, including financial. Sr. Janice said that we should hear by the early part of next week and that they were impressed with the many good ideas from several of the schools.
The presentation would not have happened without the many hours of hard work by so many people. Everyone in our community contributed to this presentation: phone calls, research, pledges, crunching numbers and prayer. And it showed. This was absolutely the best presentation we could have given.
Thank you, Linny, for providing us with this summary.. and a big thanks to everyone who worked to get this done.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Today is THE DAY!
Today at 3:00 PM our team will be presenting to the Diocese on keeping our school opened.
A note came home from Mr Swenson yesterday. Here is a part of that letter:
"There is a very important way, however, that you can help tomorrow afternoon. Many are planning to gathter at Church at 3:00 pm to pray together for our school. Please, if you can, join this prayer group or simply pause where you are - at work, at home, and offer a prayer for the success of our committee's presentation."
A note came home from Mr Swenson yesterday. Here is a part of that letter:
"There is a very important way, however, that you can help tomorrow afternoon. Many are planning to gathter at Church at 3:00 pm to pray together for our school. Please, if you can, join this prayer group or simply pause where you are - at work, at home, and offer a prayer for the success of our committee's presentation."
Monday, February 4, 2008
Meeting Tonight!
Tonight at 6:30 is the next meeting to collect and cosolidate ideas and thoughts from the subcommittees and get organized for the meeting with the Diocese on Thursday.
6:30 at SMM School
6:30 at SMM School