Are Catholic School Kids a Dying Breed?

On Friday, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia closed 48 schools.  They included 44 grade schools (or elementary schools) and 4 high schools.  It was a very sad day for so many people.  Students are being displaced or moved to another school, some of which are too far away for them to continue a Catholic religion.  Teachers, administrators, and staff are losing their jobs.  Quite a few of my friends are teachers in, or work for the Catholic school system.  Needless to say, I was holding my breath for them.  I, myself am a graduate of the Catholic School system.  Archbishop Ryan, class of 1996, and St. Anselm School, class of 1992.  I wasn't too worried about either of my schools closing.  Ryan in the largest Catholic high school in the district.  Anselm is one of the larger grade schools, although, enrollment is a fraction of what it was when I was there.  Although, the school that I attended from K-3, is merging with another school.

While I am saddened by the closing of so many schools, I also understand why the Archdiocese had to make the decision that they did.  As I said, enrollment is down, by a LOT.  There are a number of factors in that as well.  One being the fact that a lot of people have turned away from the church for whatever reason.  I was one of those people for a very, very long time.  So, when I say that I understand, I really do.  When I say that I don't judge, I really, really don't.

In recent years, there has been an ongoing sex scandal, in which numerous priests have been, and continue to be involved.  I know 2 of those priests personally, one of which I looked up to, and respected.  I'm not saying that all priests are evil child molesters, not at all.  But, the fact is that there are some who abuse the position that they are in.  This has driven a lot of people away from the Catholic religion.  I completely understand that.  It is a situation that sickens me to the core.

Another situation is the tuition that Catholic schools require.  Catholic schools do NOT run on tax dollars like the public school system does.  They rely on tuition, donations, fund raisers, etc.  Each school is expected to keep up with it's bills on their own.    In a recent discussion, I likened it to a chain.  Take for example, Strawbridge's.  At one time, this company flourished.  There were stores all over.  Then, the economy tanked, and they closed their stores slowly, and eventually the went under and had to sell their entire company to Macy's.  It's sort of the same with the Catholic schools.  Some of the schools that were closed had enrollments of under 150 students...TOTAL!  I had more than that in my graduating class from St. Anselm.  See my point?  If these schools aren't getting the enrollment, they're not getting the funding that they need to operate the school.  Would you, at headquarters keep a store open that was losing money every year?  Nope.  Neither will the church.  It's a sad, vicious cycle, especially in today's economy.

Another reason for enrollment being down is that the charter schools are popping up all over.  I know that Catholic & public school teachers alike despise charter schools.  Fact is, my husband and I are going to try to get my daughter into one when she's ready.  I have been attacked by a few of my friends who are teachers, and I don't care what they have to say.  The topic is not open for debate.  The charter schools have a phenomenal reputation, and a kick butt curriculum.  They not only encourage, but pretty much require parent involvement.  This is not so in the other two programs, at least not in Philly.  With Catholic schools competing just to stay open, how are they able to compete with the charter schools' fancy-pants top of the line labs and computer facilities, etc.?

Yet another reason, people just aren't have a lot of children anymore.  Back when most of these schools were built, it was normal for people to have 7, 8, 9, or more children!  Today, people look at you like you're nuts if you have more than 2.  Well, this is another big factor.  If there aren't kids to go to school, you're not going to get enrollment in the schools.  People are not going to have more kids just to keep schools open.  They just can't afford it.  My mother was the first class to go from 1-8 in St. Anselm.  All of her siblings (she is 1 of 8) went there.  The school was over flowing before it was even finished.  They wound up having to build a second, smaller building (which they now rent out) to accommodate the number of students.  By the time I got there in the fourth grade, we had 4 classrooms per grade.  Today, they have 2, and some grades, only 1.  Even then, the classes are not as full as they were then.

I have heard so many people bitching out the Archdiocese for closing these schools.  Yes, I'm sad, yes, I'm mad, but I also understand.  I have heard people say, "The Catholic Church is the riches organization in the world.  This is ridiculous."  Yes, they are.  The riches, however, are in Rome.  I have heard, "Why doesn't the Vatican sell a few paintings and send the money over here?"  What problem is that going to solve?  The enrollment is still down, the schools are still losing money.  It's like trying to drain the Titanic with a bucket as it's sinking.  The very same people who referred to the church as an organization, have also said, "Your faith shouldn't be run as a business."  You're right, it shouldn't be, but we're not talking about our faith.  We're talking about a school.  Whether we like it or not, it IS a business.

Don't get me wrong.  As I said before, I am sad, I am angry, I am disappointed, but not at the Archdiocese, at least not on this matter.  Somehow, I cannot summon any ill-will towards them.  They are doing what they deem necessary to keep themselves out of debt.  Wouldn't you do the same if your business was failing?

Yesterday, the Archdiocese held an award ceremony for catechists who have been teaching 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years.  I was receiving the St. John Neumann award (5 years of teaching CCD).  As I sat in my pew with the new Archbishop saying his (ever so long) homily (see, I get bored too), i took a good look at the walls around me.  Sure, they had gorgeous paintings, and vaulted ceilings.  It's a place that I would love to grab my camera and go to and photograph all day long.  But, then I looked more closely at the pillars and the walls.  Every last one of them were peeling and the paint was chipping.  It made me sad (and to be honest, I wanted to grab my dad's tools and scrape off the peeling paint and put a fresh coat on it).  This wonderfully beautiful place has this peeling paint, these chips, these scratches.  Then I though, "Who doesn't?"  I don't mean which churches.  I mean us.  We all have chips in our paint.  Our paint is peeling in places.  Not literally, but in a figurative sense.  We are not perfect.

I know that I am not going to be making many friends with this blog post.  That's ok, we're all entitled to our opinions.  After all, opinions are like sphincters...everyone has them.