tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post2298318548350522754..comments2023-08-05T08:22:12.168-04:00Comments on THE BELL TOWER BLOG : Official press release.. The goodbye to CBBryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695311471723641104noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-38498147310912312382007-06-06T14:28:00.000-04:002007-06-06T14:28:00.000-04:00you can't trust anybody totally. each side contain...you can't trust anybody totally. each side contains truths and half truths they bend to their own satisfaction. the school exploited people's anger and used it against the diocese. the diocese could have worked a little more closely with the school to help it. but hell, maybe it already had. it's the diocese who's been bailing it out all these years. you can only take so much before you cut your losses. that's the stuff the school doesn't openly tell you. it's just easier to blame someone far away rather than deal with the problems so close to home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-35067139259324462732007-06-06T09:55:00.000-04:002007-06-06T09:55:00.000-04:00well the thing is over. the benefit of a dialogue ...well the thing is over. the benefit of a dialogue like this or any other is to help ensure as few closings as possible occur in the future. the way to do that is to bring out the truth, whatever that may be. it's probably true the diocese knew well in advance the closing would take place. but if the school was worth keeping open, it most likely wouldn't have been closed. and if it's not worth keeping open then whose fault is that? it's the people who run it on a daily basis, with other local factors like outmigration and costs mixed in. the bottom line is the truth, not all this face saving bullcrap. keeping a school open just because a few people's parents and grandparents went there is no good reason. it shows all you care about is your own arrogant pride, and that's just lame. i'd like to still own the house i grew up in, but it's in a go-nowhere town - Ashland - that i don't want my kids growing up in. so you sell and move. that's life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-32646708579539115652007-06-05T15:49:00.000-04:002007-06-05T15:49:00.000-04:00So what's true about any of this then?There has to...So what's true about any of this then?<BR/>There has to be somebody you can trust or something that's true. The school's not closing to become a theme park or golf course is it?<BR/>What should we be looking for here?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-10452546952286439322007-06-05T14:54:00.000-04:002007-06-05T14:54:00.000-04:00they're all liars it seems. it's a nasty racket an...they're all liars it seems. it's a nasty racket and the victims are the kids. it's all about saving face and passing the blame. it's completely repugnant. the whole damn thingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-17830585643761178962007-06-04T21:30:00.000-04:002007-06-04T21:30:00.000-04:00Her children are not even in a diocesan school. Sh...Her children are not even in a diocesan school. She had to know and she lied about the closure and claimed that the bishop assured that it was going to be open for the 2007-2008 school year. That lie made her friends in Schuylkill County but proved her incompetent to everyone else. She stopped supporting her employer long before the school closure was announced.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-24989895742105561362007-06-04T16:11:00.000-04:002007-06-04T16:11:00.000-04:00as far as i know the principal's children ARE at t...as far as i know the principal's children ARE at trinityAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-79017403577022874172007-06-04T12:27:00.000-04:002007-06-04T12:27:00.000-04:00You talk about Trinity and getting those students ...You talk about Trinity and getting those students more involved? Why?<BR/>Cardinal Brennan's own principal did not even have enough confidence in CB to enroll her children in Trinity when the feeder schools consolidated! What type of message did that send to the community? Maybe she already knew what the future held?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-58148533022434254412007-06-04T12:02:00.000-04:002007-06-04T12:02:00.000-04:00this one has nothing to do with the folks at CB. i...this one has nothing to do with the folks at CB. i feel sorry for them, but what can you do? it's unfortunate for the community and a travesty for the kids. it's a good example of how not to run a school. <BR/><BR/>this is probably not the proper outlet for my comment, but since you other people keep mentioning "the county" i figured, why not? i can see how some might be insulted by remarks made against the region. i can also see how some might say, " well if ya do somethin ta make it better 'stead a' complaining all the time..." but it's more complicated than that. demographics alone don't determine a place's present and future. it's the people. it's always the people. and most of the people i know or have known in schuylkill county are the cheapest, most patronizing jerks i've ever met anywhere. i haven't traveled the world or anything, but i've been enough places and know enough people to know good folks from bad ones, and boy, do we have a lot from that last category here. they are the meanest, most bitter, small minded nincompoops i've ever had the displeasure of knowing. "i love schuylkill county 'cause everyone's so NICE!" is a commonly heard if insincere mantra in these parts, and of course it's not true. people here are nice to your face only to stick you when you turn around. and they're nice to outsiders, due mostly to curiosity about them. once they know you, you're done, and they'll do all they can to tear you apart, never bothering to regret any personal damage they might do to a person or how many lives or reputations they might ruin along the way. i've never known people so petty as the wretched busybodies i've known here. small towns are the social slime-sludge from which modern civilization has sprung, and it's especially true in schuylkill county. i think we've come a long way since then, except in "the region."<BR/><BR/>and what about all the rampant racism and other discrimination? as if all that other crap wasn't enough. aside from the small-town gossiping and ill wishing and overall decadence, you can't even stand other people unless they look and talk like you. there's practically no diversity in this hellhole, and it's because you refuse to accept anybody who's different than you. i'm a white, all american guy, but some of the despicably racial injustices i've seen taken place in "the county," especially north of the mountain, are enough to make me puke. i know not everyone's like that, but the majority surely are. and then when someone wants to put up an airport, you knock it right down. somebody wants to do this or that, and you knock it right down. it's like you can't be happy unless you make other people feel as miserable as you. you want to be king of the hill yet wallow so coyly in your own lowly filth. still, i dont agree with these crappy revitalization programs either. mostly i think they're just write-offs and feel good diversions that never accomplish anything. they appear, put out some signs, have some meetings, then poof, they're gone. sure they can raise money. anybody can raise money. a mime in soho can raise money. what, are you gonna bribe people to come here? then after they see how much drugs and prejudice and pathetic job and school opportunites they're stuck with and they leave again, then what? just bribe someone else i suppose. in the meantime the coal might turn to diamonds and you wont need them anymore. except maybe as slaves. the kids are overdosing in record numbers, but it's still a nice place to "live and work." you don't include THOSE stats in the brochures, i'm fairly certain. it's not enough the average working family kills itself to make ends meet, then parents have to worry about drugs and booze and the rest, as though they were living in any american city. "hey, son, where you takin your date? Oh we're just gonna shoot up and cruise around. Isn't life SWELL, son?" there's nothing to do there but get high and then sweat your ass off in some factory or warehouse or something for dirt wages the rest of your life. if you're lucky you won't get cancer from all the other nonsense that goes on and might enjoy a few years of retirement in atlantic city or the poconos. oh, and there's wednesday night bingo. and stripping pits you can't even go swimming in anymore. and hazing immigrants who come here to clean the toilets that you refuse to because you're too good for that. well, i guess there is some quality extracurriculars after all. just face it. the county's rotten cause the people are rotten. our coal mining ancestors would turn in their graves. you disgrace their memories and all they worked for. an indignant bunch of insignificant shysters. you know who you are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-8901316222526015252007-06-03T08:59:00.000-04:002007-06-03T08:59:00.000-04:00now THAT was a great comment from what seems to be...now THAT was a great comment from what seems to be a level-headed student. you admit the school had shortcomings yet defend it using what info you do have in your possession, and intelligently. and it wasn't the students' fault at all. it was the so-called "adults," both cb administrators and the diocese. allentown wasn't totally wise in their handling of the situation just as cb higher-ups could have taken other steps long before it got that bad. local population is a huge factor too and has always been. young people are leaving in droves, which they SHOULD, but it greatly damages the communities they leave behind. bravo on that last comment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-58324972298722013822007-06-02T23:47:00.000-04:002007-06-02T23:47:00.000-04:00yes most of us have had enough of serentis. and ac...yes most of us have had enough of serentis. and actually that information came straight from the other high schools. it just might have been nice to know about our fate before others knew. they could have at least told the people that would be most affected by the situation above anyone else. And i'm not saying that we weren't in debt, most just didn't know that we were. as a student at the school, i remember thinking that we were a school that was running smoothly except for a declining enrollment. i never found any indication that the school was suffering from money problems. if we would have known about our situation we might have been able to help it. also, maybe if we were aloud to advertise and have fundraisers, it would have helped too, but the fact remains that even the slightest attempt to advertise or increase funds was not allowed by the diocese. any attempt to get the feeder school [trinity academy] to become more active in the high school, an attempt that could have gotten more people interested in CB, was shot down by the diocese. this implies to me that they knew exactly what was going to be done long before the announcement, but that's only an idea, and it will never be determined whether or not it is correct. <BR/><BR/>i do agree with serentis, however, on one thing. He talks about moving forward, which is exactly what we are trying to do. the only thing stopping us are the negative comments about our school, that we feel so strongly about, that we need to stop and say whatever we can in defense of our school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-71683541649363104992007-06-02T17:44:00.000-04:002007-06-02T17:44:00.000-04:00and you prolly got that bit of info from an admini...and you prolly got that bit of info from an administrator at CB no doubt, who'd have every reason to perpetuate the rumor for their own defense. but even if it's true, so what? you haven't been in debt since just march or april. all that's hearsay. you still shouldnt treat your bishop that way. it's like you kiss his ass before he makes his decision then all but burn him in effigy after he closes you. what hypocrites. the bishop hafey fiasco was a MUCH bigger indiscretion and you cry even louder than them. now THAT school really got the shaft. but i do think i've had enough of serentis too. so we have that in commonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-61655441191758953162007-06-02T16:04:00.000-04:002007-06-02T16:04:00.000-04:00did you know, that as early as september, the othe...did you know, that as early as september, the other two high school's students and faculty [nativity/marian] were told to expect an influx of CB students. we didn't find out about the school closing until april.<BR/>another time that the diocese feels the need to keep things hush hush, instead of trying to come up with a solution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-17923664560213901642007-06-02T08:12:00.000-04:002007-06-02T08:12:00.000-04:00You want adversity. You'll have adversity. You w...You want adversity. You'll have adversity. You want to wallow in self-pity; I (nobody) can stop you. You will drown in self-pity and blame it on everybody else.<BR/><BR/>"Nobody" gives "you" a break because you feel entitled to a free ride into whatever you choose. It won't happen. <BR/><BR/>Holding a degree from Harvard (which I don't) is less a sign of success than owning your own car. What one does with one's reaources, there's the measure.<BR/><BR/>It's really NOT about CBHS, it's about the whole composition of "the county" and how it can come to collapse or to flourish.<BR/>(and arguing whether Yuengling is better than Kaier's or Bavarian beer isn't very fruitful.)<BR/><BR/>I have kin in "the county" but my family has a home in the Lehigh Valley. That is where I found a job, a place to live, a wife and the rest followed. My kids know the roots and the culture of "the county." They're not afraid of new things or changes because life is filled with both.<BR/><BR/>New things and changes are headed into YOUR lives, ready or not, they'll be there. They will land on your lap and complaining won't change anything at all. It won't even make you "feel" better.<BR/><BR/>You know that already.<BR/><BR/>serentisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-15219394168211434502007-06-02T06:46:00.000-04:002007-06-02T06:46:00.000-04:00i agree with serentis. star trek IS offensive and ...i agree with serentis. star trek IS offensive and patently dull.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-91777856683400127952007-06-02T05:29:00.000-04:002007-06-02T05:29:00.000-04:00that last comment was a cheap shot and you know it...that last comment was a cheap shot and you know it. how dare you speak for the entire school and it's 80 year history. of course the loss of their classmate was a great tragedy that everyone should sympathize with, and i'm sure most people do. it was a terrible thing. but this started way before that happened. it worsens the sadness and gives the community the right to grieve alone if they want to, but it shouldn't be used as a rider on your comment about how and why the school was closed. the school was closed for economic reasons, and you have to wonder why those reasons got to that point in the first place. if the administration had done a good job, or at least a satisfactory job, i doubt the bishop would have closed it. you talk about heart, and yea that's good and important, but the bishop didn't close the school. it was poor management and the idea that the diocese would always bail the school out of its financial problems without any real consequences. if allentown is one of the lowest ranked in the country it's not the bishop's fault. that's a reflection of the teachers and parents, not him. he can't run every school individually. of course it's a sad thing, but it does come down to dollars. there are many things the school couldve done to save itself before being closed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-358466337969764432007-06-01T23:17:00.000-04:002007-06-01T23:17:00.000-04:00*Immacualte heart academy *Immaculate heart high s...*Immacualte heart academy *Immaculate heart high school<BR/>*Cardinal Brennan High School<BR/>*Cardinal Brennan Jr./Sr. High School<BR/><BR/>it seems as if this was not supposed to happen this way..in such an abrupt manner. i do not know for the life of me how this educational facility could be so unimportant that it is simply tossed away like an unwanted childhood toy.<BR/><BR/><BR/>of all the awards received at the final cb graduation, most of them were excellence in religion, which i always believed was the point of catholic education. the allentown diocese has taught me otherwise. the point of catholic education is to teach the youth how to make more money.<BR/><BR/>compare this: bishop of the harrisburg diocese: visits every school a few times a year, teaching student's religion classes/eating lunch with students, etc.<BR/>allentown diocese: bishop has visited CB one time in 9 years, sends retired priests to perform confirmation in his place, rejected plan for k-12 [a plan that saved our lady of lourdes in shamokin], and rejected most other plans to save CB. allentown diocese is one of the lowest ranked diocese in the COUNTRY.<BR/><BR/>i realize this is very random, but i felt the need to rant, because after attending the graduation, and seeing the sense of loss on everyone's faces, while still retaining the communal and family atmosphere of the school, i realized just how unfair of a process it was.<BR/>and remember, CB wasn't the only loss this year, do not forget the other losses that have occured this year, maybe then you will realize that, in comparison to most other school closings, this may be one of the most unhappy. the CB community not only lost their school, but they also lost one of their classmates and friends.<BR/><BR/>Cardinal Brennan<BR/>1927-2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-35595984126515101822007-06-01T19:43:00.000-04:002007-06-01T19:43:00.000-04:00yo serentis maybe WE'RE sick of YOUR lamme ass com...yo serentis maybe WE'RE sick of YOUR lamme ass comments. you have a lousy opinion about everything and your'e not even involved. you said you're not even from our part of the mountain. what you think youre so much better than us? if your precious little eyes cant take it then dont read. and by all means take your harvard graduate ba or bs or whatever baloney and go amuse yourself somewhere else. nobody cares what you think dude so get off your high horse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-21002557758417301482007-06-01T18:55:00.000-04:002007-06-01T18:55:00.000-04:00i think there's a star wars marathon on that you c...i think there's a star wars marathon on that you can catch if you hurry...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-24031953476987383842007-06-01T18:36:00.000-04:002007-06-01T18:36:00.000-04:00I am amazed!Instead of appreciating the accomplish...I am amazed!<BR/>Instead of appreciating the accomplishments of a Graduate, and former principal, instead of noting that the fruits of the labors of many teachers at CBHS now reach into other places I get to read this drivel.<BR/><BR/>One should be embarrased, even ashamed but I suspect you will be pleased at such annoying, purile and sad comments.<BR/><BR/>So this is what the standards of Schuykill County look like. I had hoped for better; I know there's better.<BR/><BR/>Now, YOU (whomever is behind the repulsive comments), have the decency to talk with adults as adults. This is a blog but the right to expressing your opinion doesn't include the right to be offensive and disgusting and patently dull. YOU ARE an embarrasment to us who were raised in "the county." That fact that you revel in that embarrasment is what amazes me.<BR/><BR/>That fact that nobody has hammered you for being such a boor amazes me too.<BR/><BR/>Yes, I'm annoyed and insulted and if that satisfies you, It saddens me. You are clueless!<BR/><BR/>serentisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-90469997163911290842007-06-01T16:41:00.000-04:002007-06-01T16:41:00.000-04:00haha but not THAT one, thank God. gimme a trekkie ...haha but not THAT one, thank God. gimme a trekkie over a snot-monger any day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-63295221815446951842007-06-01T15:25:00.000-04:002007-06-01T15:25:00.000-04:00be nice to nerds, you'll probably end up working f...be nice to nerds, you'll probably end up working for them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-7928430086278283652007-06-01T08:23:00.000-04:002007-06-01T08:23:00.000-04:00finlan went to school with one of my siblings and ...finlan went to school with one of my siblings and i hear he always used to get caught picking his nose during classes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-65404638362778422212007-05-31T07:07:00.000-04:002007-05-31T07:07:00.000-04:00Fr. Robert T. Finlan has been appointed the first ...Fr. Robert T. Finlan has been appointed the first President at Bethlehem Catholic High School and Mr. Michael Reese has ben appointed the Principal. He succeeds Mr. Richard B. Culver who has been principal for the past 34 years.<BR/><BR/>BTW, the differences ARE notable. Not every CBHS graduate is a refugee from Wyatt & Stosh<BR/><BR/>SerentisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-48857112015091062202007-05-31T05:57:00.000-04:002007-05-31T05:57:00.000-04:00eh what's the difference. they're all pretty much ...eh what's the difference. they're all pretty much the same. just look around youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494547619393955125.post-68131864923049053202007-05-30T16:12:00.000-04:002007-05-30T16:12:00.000-04:00oh yes? that's interesting. who is it? Joe Devittoh yes? that's interesting. who is it? <BR/><BR/>Joe DevittAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com