Proposed Manayunk regional school will not open due to low enrollment
The proposed St. Blaise Regional School in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia will not open in September 2012 as previously planned, according to a statement from the Archdiocese June 18.
The school was formed out of the Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations announced in January 2012 to merge St. Bridget Parish School and Holy Child Regional School into one school serving the families of East Falls and Manayunk.
Enrollment as of Friday, June 15, was 155 students and needed to be at least 250, the statement read.
The original deadline for registration was March 30 and had been extended until June 15.
Parishes of the area do not have the resources needed to cover the financial costs that would be incurred with an enrollment of less than 250 students, according to the statement. The sponsoring parishes would not have been able to afford teachers’ salaries or to administer the school with the programs promised.
To encourage registration, pastors from the sending parishes communicated with families on several occasions through school outreach messages, emails and letters.
The pastors sent a letter on June 8 noting that the status of the merger was at a critical point and urging parents to register their children if they had not done so. Enrollment did not increase to the necessary minimum level.
In a letter, which families were to receive today, the pastors conveyed their deep regret that the school could not open and assured parents who had previously registered their children that seats would be available in neighboring Catholic schools.
School families may register their children at the following parish schools in the surrounding area: Immaculate Heart of Mary in Roxborough; Our Mother of Consolation in Chestnut Hill; St. Philip Neri in Lafayette Hill; St. Genevieve in Flourtown; St. Margaret in Narberth and St. Francis Xavier in Philadelphia.
St. Bridget Parish School’s enrollment for the current year is 198 students, down from 224 students in 2005-2006. The current enrollment for Holy Child Regional School is 213 students, down from 419 students in the 2005-2006 school year.
Holy Child Regional School was formed in 2005 out of the merger of Holy Family, St. Lucy and St. Mary the Assumption schools. Within one year St. John the Baptist and St. Josaphat schools had joined the regional school.
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Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Father John Stokely distributes communion for the first time as a priest.
Archbishop Charels Chaput annoints the hand of John Stokely with the oil of chrism. 
Beaming Sean Loomis recives a hug from his brother priest after being vested.
Sean Loomis, John Stokely and Thomas Viviano joyfully process in the Cathedral for their ordination. 
Bishop Timothy Senior, rector of St. Charles Seminary, present the candidate to the Archbishop as he finds them worthy.
The men being ordained prostrate themselves before the altar during the prayers of the Litany of Saints.
Archbishop Charles Chaput lays his hands on the head of Sean Loomis and silently prays to envoke the Holy Spirit. 
Archbishop Charles Chaput lays his hands on the head of Thomas Viviano and silently prays to envoke the Holy Spirit. 
Thomas Viviano is deep in prayer during is ordination.
Archbishop Charles Chaput extends his hands in prayer over the Thomas Viviano, John Stokely and Sean Loomis as he ordains them in to the preisthood. 
Archbishop Charels Chaput annoints the hand of Sean Loomis with the oil of chrism. 
Archbishop Charles Chaput hands over the bread and wine to John Stokely during his ordiantion. 
Thomas Viviano shares a fraternal kiss with Archbishop Charels Chaput after being ordained.
The three newly ordained priests celebrate mass for the first time.
Three new priests ordained for Archdiocese
Archbishop Charles Chaput ordained Sean Loomis, John Stokely and Thomas Viviano to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Saturday, May 18 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.
I suggest the “redgional school” is not going to happen because of a very poor planning process and poor communications with the lay people involved. Now we have dedacated teachers and student OUT of our Catholic Education system due to a lack of understading by the heirarchy at 222.
By: Joe Gable on June 22, 2012 at 7:16 am