The Bell Tower Blog

CB alumni message boarder: open the books

2009-09-04T18:01:00.002-04:00

FORMER CARDINAL BRENNAN PRINCIPAL SUES DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN

2009-09-03T17:51:00.000-04:00

FORMER CB PRINCIPAL FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST DIOCESE!

Jaclyn M. Fowler alleges harassing comments from priests while in her tenure as head of the school..

2009-08-31T18:03:00.000-04:00

AP FOWLER LAWSUIT

AP reporting: "A former Roman Catholic school principal is suing the Diocese of Allentown over alleged sexual harassment and gender discrimination" ..

MORE..

Rumor back again..

2009-07-07T20:53:00.002-04:00

Will CB be a house for clergy accused of sexual misconduct?

The Brennan message board alive and well with the rumor..

The Bell Tower Blog made attempts in prior years to get information from the Diocese on this rumor.. no response. It appears the Brennan message board is having the same luck..

SUCCESS FOR THE BRENNAN 11

2009-06-05T19:34:00.000-04:00

A Charger that still bleeds blue and gold in a sea of green ..

BELL TOWER BANGING: CB MESSAGE BOARD PICKS UP ON SEX OFFENDER STORY

2009-06-03T22:24:00.002-04:00

MORE..

"I have been hesitant to join the many individuals ridiculing the pastor of the two Catholic churches in Girardville. I believe he has a difficult job and no support from the crowd in Allentown.

When it was brought to my attention, however, that he used the term "whorehouse" in the latest Sunday bulletin in reference to the proper placement for the Girardville Pirate Lady, I feel the pastor has gone too far.

There was no reason to use that term in an otherwise pleasant parish bulletin which featured photos of the newest young first communicants in the town; a bulletin that folks would wish to preserve as a family moment to remember.

Well past time to focus on the destruction of the Catholic churches and Catholic schools in northern Schuylkill county rather than employing a matter that was settled by the state police and Pennsylvania law as a smokescreen. "

Bell Tower flashback: watch this story..

Cardinal Brennan closed, but the Patrick W. Kempsey sports complex is still being used..

2009-05-31T09:54:00.003-04:00

While education at Cardinal Brennan ended two years ago, the sports continues at the Patrick W. Kempsey sports complex..

The Hazleton STANDARD SPEAKER reported that a Race for Education was held two weeks ago on Brennan land. Some of the events included Greased Watermelon Relay, Water Balloon Challenge, Egg Toss and other games.. A hot dog lunch, watermelon and other fruit was served to the students..

The Race For Education was attended by Trinity Academy students.. At Cardinal Brennan, an education established shut down.. Why not at Nativity? .. hmmm..

Memories for sale.. Closed churches cleaning out

2009-05-31T09:52:00.001-04:00

There's a big task ahead for members of dozens of churches closed by the Diocese of Allentown. They've started cleaning out the buildings in Schuylkill and Carbon counties..

MORE from WNEP..

Closings on hold--for now.. New Bishop chosen

2009-05-28T18:46:00.002-04:00

Meet Monsignor John O. Barres, the new Bishop of the Allentown Diocese..

Outgoing Bishop Cullen says forthcoming consolidation is on hold until Barres is made official..

Possible church closings in Shenandoah, Lost Creek, Ringtown, Sheppton, Girardville, Ashland, Gordon and Frackville, *17 total* will now wait for Monsignor Barres to take his position..

Sex offender back in court for not reporting his job status..

2009-05-09T11:05:00.003-04:00

Pottsville REPUBLICAN reporting ..

Enough to make pirate red...

2009-05-08T21:14:00.000-04:00

you went to court
to defend a friend..
no shame?
a disturbing trend..

AP STORY: CHURCH CLOSINGS AN ISSUE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

2009-04-19T09:31:00.002-04:00

Associated Press reporting on church closings around the country and budgets run dry..

Allentown Diocese gets a mention:

Council of Parishes co-chairman Peter Borre said the letter is "a last resort" aimed at getting the Vatican to prevent bishops in eight dioceses from "wrecking the Catholic church in America by shutting down viable parishes."

The dioceses with parishioners participating in the request are Allentown, Pa.; Boston; Buffalo, N.Y.; Cleveland; New Orleans; New York City; Scranton, Pa., and Springfield, Mass.

The Council of Parishes was formed in 2004 to oppose parish closings

Reaction far and wide to pirate statue

2009-03-31T20:28:00.002-04:00

First reported on Cardinal Brennan's alumni message board and then the Bell Tower Blog, the story is being read far and wide today after WNEP picked up the story..

From Schuylkill County to Harrisburg to Philadelphia, reactions have been coming into the Bell Tower Blog.. Most confused as to why a priest would wage war against an inanimate object. At least two from Harrisburg defending Father Connelly, mentioning that the statue of the scantily clad pirate was "too racy" for a main street..

One reaction from Harrisburg joked about Wnep's mention of the "busy main street of Girardville," saying whenever he drove through the Coal Region the street was rarely filled with cars besides those parked..

And finally, one local reaction said: "Perhaps next he can part the s**t crick"..

Arrrrrgghhh matey! The pirate so far is there..

The pirate battle continues...

2009-03-30T22:19:00.002-04:00

WNEP with the full story tonight..

"The statue has been moved back from the sidewalk, the owners said, because it's windy but on the day of a recent protest the pirate was standing in full view.

Father Commolly commanded the owners to remove it.

"He pointed to the statue and very dictatorially and said, 'I curse you. I curse this place. I want to see this destroyed. I want her destroyed,'" said pirate owner Peggy Kanigoski.

"Nor did I curse in the sense of putting a curse on them. In fact I did quite the opposite. I blessed them," Father Commolly said."

Girardville priest protests pirate

2009-03-27T17:52:00.005-04:00

Apparently a certain Girardville pastor led the flock to a statue of mannequin depicting a female pirate which he claimed was obscene, according to a posting on the Cardinal Brennan alumni message board ..

Subsequent follow up comments weighed in on the matter..

Father Edward Connelly owns his own website called Reasonably Well . .He is the chaplain and co-host of Road To Cana.

And now fiercely against scantily clad plastic pirates..

An update..

2009-03-22T16:37:00.002-04:00

Haven't posted in some time..

The latest information, from the Pottsville REPUBLICAN in a letter to the editor from . .The letter writer writes,

"A number of clergy have privately expressed dismay at being forced into early retirement. A Polish parish arranged the importation of clergy from Poland, but it was reportedly denied by Bishop Cullen. A Slovenian parish planned similarly, but was informed that its effort would also be denied. The bishop also reportedly refused importing additional African clergy as suggested by the Vatican.

The synod’s own building guidelines recommends the choice of the best buildings for the newly combined parishes. In reality, the best buildings were rejected for the more inferior, for it is fiscally wise to place the best building on the real estate market and financially burden the parishioners to bring the inferior buildings to the standards of those closed."

Full letter..

Invited to the beach house? Maybe next year...

2008-10-12T10:52:00.004-04:00

Did you get invited to Bishop Cullen's beach house this year? Nah? Maybe the invite got lost in the mail.

Cullen's beach house angers parishioners of the Allentown Diocese..

Ahh.. maybe we're just jealous!

Or maybe we're wondering why the Catholic Church espouses the high quality of Catholic education, but then turns their shoulder and closes down schools across the area!? Perhaps we can start sending students to Bishop Cullen's beach house! I would fear the tuition costs, however...

October.. Brennan week

2008-10-12T10:50:00.002-04:00

But it's not this year. Brennan week was an emblematic part of October at Cardinal Brennan for years.. But this year, the field house is bare and without noise.. The school is without life. It's quite a sad thing--even for those that disliked Cardinal Brennan while they went to school there.. There are days when Brennan doesn't pop up.. but these warm early days of October, it surely does. . .

There will be no homecoming game this week.

Nuns on the run

2008-07-12T08:20:00.002-04:00

Pottsville REPUBLICAN reporting that the order of nuns that staffed Good Sam in Pottsville are leaving, and not coming back.

More: A consistently shrinking amount of sisters, the Daughters of Charity, have now caused the re-order of the order. The nuns will leave in August--no specific date as of now has been released.

Among the nuns leaving, the only nun serving at Nativity BVM in Pottsville, also being reassigned.

Saturday goodbyes..

2008-07-12T08:18:00.002-04:00

Today will be the last day for a number of churches in Schuylkill county to conduct mass.

The diocease, which announced the closure churches weeks back, gave some suggestions for homilies, songs, and celebrations for the pastors to include.

Tonight, the final farewells, most likely tearful in many instances, will occur.

"Diocese in Crisis" letter to editor in Pottsville REPUB

2008-07-06T10:05:00.002-04:00

The ripple effects of Cardinal Brennan's closure continue to be felt.. Read a letter to the Pottsville REPUBLICAN AND HERALD..

Miss Klinger eaten by a ghost?

2008-06-07T23:02:00.002-04:00

The break in of Cardinal Brennan?

2008-05-10T23:03:00.001-04:00

JUST A NOTE..
WHAT STUDENTS ARE MISSING

By God! Bye bye

2008-04-12T10:38:00.002-04:00

While the Pope gets ready to pray for terrorists at the site of the World Trade Center terror attacks, a report on the wire today. AP: More Catholic schools closing across the nation ..

We've been here before locally. It's happening everywhere.. Just in time for the Pope's visit to America

A hint of the past.. and things to come

2008-03-01T18:25:00.002-05:00

With the anniversary of the closing of Cardinal Brennan quickly coming, all eyes are on the next wave of school and church closings presented by the Catholic Church..

Even more interesting: A new Vatican ruling is bad news for parish-closing opponents..

More

"Parishioners fighting the closings said they would continue their effort in the Vatican and in civil courts in Boston. But they acknowledged that the ruling, issued in Latin, dismisses their arguments that O'Malley violated canon laws by closing the church, and instead expresses support for O'Malley's argument that he needed to close parishes for the good of the archdiocese"

It's been one year...

2008-03-01T18:20:00.000-05:00

One year ago this month..

This letter went to all:

Bishop's Letter to Cardinal Brennan Parents
March 22, 2007

Dear Cardinal Brennan Junior/Senior High School Parents,

On February, 6, 2007, the Diocesan Pastoral Council began a review of Cardinal Brennan Junior/Senior High School. This review began in response to a request made by the Diocesan Secretariats for Catholic Education and Temporal Affairs. Their request was grounded in an ongoing concern for the viability of the School based upon its consistently decreasing enrollment, deficit spending, and mounting debts.

Statute Eight of the Second Synod of the Diocese of Allentown authorizes the Diocesan Pastoral Council to act when it determines that there is an urgent and serious need to consolidate or close a school before the full implementation of the other Diocesan Statutes. It was under this Statute that the request was submitted to the Diocesan Pastoral Council. After careful consideration, the Diocesan Pastoral Council voted that they should review this request under Statute Eight.

In a previous letter sent by the Very Reverend David L. James, Vicar for Synod Implementation, you received the same information the Diocesan Pastoral Council received. After reviewing the critical information submitted by the two Secretariats, the Council chose to provide the parents, faculty, students, and friends of Cardinal Brennan Junior/Senior High School the opportunity to give their input about the future of the school.

Father James, Mr. Mark Smith, Secretary for Temporal Affairs, and Mr. Philip Fromuth, Secretary for Catholic Education met with the parents and others gathered for this purpose on Sunday, March 4, 2007 in the School's field house. Before, during, and after that meeting, parents, students, faculty, and alumni provided the Council with their input. A copy of every letter and e-mail received by the Diocese was shared with all members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council. Many of these letters offered possible solutions and proposals and all displayed great attachment to the School.

I sought the insights of the Diocesan Pastoral Council at its meeting on March 15, 2007. After fully examining the proposals made by the Cardinal Brennan community, the Council concluded that they did not contain a solution that sufficiently addressed the enrollment and financial problems at the School. I also sought the advice of the Council of Priests and the Diocesan Finance Council. All three official diocesan consultative bodies have recommended the closing of Cardinal Brennan Junior/Senior High School.

After prayerful consideration, with the counsel of all three bodies, and mindful of the well-being of the entire diocesan educational system, I find it necessary to accept their recommendations that Cardinal Brennan Junior/Senior High School officially close at the end of the present academic year.

The closing of Cardinal Brennan Junior/Senior High School does not bring to a close Catholic education in Schuylkill County. Your high school son or daughter will receive a warm and enthusiastic welcome at Marian High School, in Hometown or Nativity BVM High School, in Pottsville. Seventh and eighth grade instruction will be restored at Trinity Academy at the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center in Shenandoah at the beginning of the 2007-2008 academic year. Mr. Fromuth will form transition teams at all three high schools and at Trinity Academy. These teams will be responsible for, among other things, the transfer of records, arrangements for bus transportation, and the integration of academic credits. Opportunities for parents and students to visit the three schools will be provided in the near future.

Your commitment to Catholic education has been strong in the past. It has left an indelible mark on Schuylkill County. Parents have made sacrifices, even heroic sacrifices, to provide their children with a Catholic education.

Be assured the Diocese of Allentown remains firm in its commitment to provide the children of Schuylkill County with an excellent Catholic education. May we all be united in prayer with a common purpose to work together to provide quality, affordable education and faith formation to our children for many years to come.

Sincerely yours in Christ

Message board created

2007-12-08T10:58:00.001-05:00

JIM CONNERS CREATES CARDINAL BRENNAN MESSAGE BOARD..

What should become of this site?

2007-10-13T13:45:00.000-04:00

CardinalBrennan.net Dead

2007-10-13T13:43:00.000-04:00

http://www.cardinalbrennan.net/ used to be the homepage of Cardinal Brennan Jr/Sr High School.. now it is apart of the vast wasteland of dead sites. Cardinal Brennan as a school is now long gone.. Driving by on a dark night still provokes eerie memories.. but the technological homeplace of the school is barren as well.

The site gone quickly, just as the school closed..

What's going on in those dark hallways now is only for ghosts to know..

And so it ends..

2007-08-03T22:14:00.000-04:00

Not with a bang.. but with a wimper. The arguments over .. we're in the dead heat of summer.. but that long stretch of vacation soon will be over. And with it, officially, ending will be Cardinal Brennan as we knew it. Gone forever are those signatures on the bell tower wall..

The Bell Tower Blog, I suppose, must go with it. Also no bang here.. just that long dull wimper..

In 1996, I was a freshman.. I waited outside of the school the day before Thanksgiving vacation started .. my ride to take me home was late.

But I was at peace. It was before the pine trees were knocked down.. the cold wind was blowing through them making a long, dull, and ancient howling whistle.

I hear that same noise now. .in the middle of summer. Those distant memories .. In the past now.

The future is now. And the future it without CB.

A user needs help

2007-07-07T00:31:00.000-04:00

When was the field has ground broken?

The last days

2007-07-07T00:25:00.001-04:00

Video credit You Tube user Tom Zukas

The end.

2007-06-09T16:04:00.000-04:00

The last graduating class is now gone.. the halls are not empty. The lower classpersons searching for another school. Somewhere else to ease their broken hearts..

With the slam of a bus door and the last playing of the Cardinal Brennan Alma Mater, it ended.. Not with a bang but with a whimper..

The last signatures on the walls of the bell tower are just drying.. the tears that strolled down the faces of students may not be dry for a bit of time..

The untold stories of classes gone by.. from the last century to our current one. A school that spanned so much time and so much history; vacant now.

The echoes of students laughing at bells ringing will not fill the dark halls anymore. Instead it will be the quiet sounds of ancient noises.. the whistle of wind coming trough cracks in the windows during the winter.. That heavenly sound of snow falling onto the pine trees outside of the school will not be heard by a soul..

The life that new students would bring each new warm September morning will never be seen again..

The memories will now just be memories. Gone like life itself is going: Into history.

The class of 2007 will take their experience with them through life.. the classes of tomorrow will feel a little empty on their graduation day.. the classes of yesterday will never quite have the same reunion they would have under other circumstances..

Reality is reality. And this ending is bluntly realistic.

.. the class of 2007...
Good luck.

Official press release.. The goodbye to CB

2007-04-29T16:13:00.000-04:00

"Cardinal Brennan Farewell Celebration

Rev. Adam C. Sedar, President of Cardinal Brennan Junior Senior High School, has announced that a Farewell School Liturgy, Open House and Social Celebration have been scheduled at the Fountain Springs Campus for Sunday, July 1, 2007. Specific details regarding the day’s time schedule and other arrangements will be released in the near future. On a related note, Father Sedar commended Alumni Joseph Chiaretti, IHHS ’60, Mark and Amy (Madden) Fanelli, CB ’74 and ‘75, Mary Beth Dougherty, CB ’83, and Jennifer Salukas Kowalonek, CB ’93, for volunteering to chair the festivities for this historic farewell celebration event.

The following Committees have been established in order to help coordinate event festivities: Liturgical Celebration; Food and Refreshments; Decorations; Setup for Tents, Tables and Chairs; Memorabilia Collection and Display; and Multi-Media Presentation. School alumni or parents willing to participate on any of the above listed Committees are requested to submit their name and contact information, along with their choice of Committee, to the school Development Office at 570-874-3921, or at mnieddu@cardinalbrennan.net by Tuesday, May 8, 2007. Alumni and parents are also encouraged to submit to the school as soon as possible any current contact information that they may have on former school administration, faculty and staff members to have them included on the celebration’s Invitation List."

The Bishop visits Brennan.. but not that one..

2007-04-14T11:08:00.000-04:00

When you saw today's headline in the Pottsville REPUBLICAN, you may have been shocked into confusion.. a Bishop at Cardinal Brennan? Allentown reconsidering? Maybe paying its respects to a school they're shutting down?

Nope.

Instead of Bishop Cullen, students and guests had the opportunity to see Bishop John Bura of the Ukrainian rite do mass at CB and take questions from the kids.

Allentown should take notes.

The death of Catholic education?

2007-04-04T22:50:00.000-04:00

News from up North: The TIMES LEADER in Scranton reporting about Catholic education being in debt millions of dollars..

MORE:

"Bishop O’Reilly and Bishop Hoban high schools have a combined operating deficit of about $2 million, and need another $2.6 million in repairs, according to information released by the Diocese of Scranton. All Catholic schools in Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wayne counties have a total operating deficit exceeding $3.2 million, and owe $5.5 million to the diocese for loans

***

...Quinn urges Catholics who were upset at the closing of their schools to remember the big picture. "If they truly support Catholic education, and not just a particular building, now is the time to come forward with a financial commitment that will benefit the entire Catholic school system in the Diocese.""

2007-04-04T22:45:00.000-04:00

The Allentown MORNING CALL reporting on a mad rush to find a new school for next year..

There is also interest in Lourdes Regional High school ..

"Cardinal Brennan students who live west of Ashland may also consider Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School in Coal Township, Northumberland County, operated by the Diocese of Harrisburg, said Allentown Diocese spokesman Matt Kerr"

Nativity, with 194 students (Cardinal Brennan being closed with 171 by the way) said it could handle an influx of students from Cardinal Brennan..

Posters and displays were at Marian to advertise to prospective students.. sports and studies..

The MORNING CALL story goes on to report more in depth about the decimation of Catholic education in Schuylkill county..

The long road to .. Marian?

2007-04-04T22:43:00.000-04:00

The Pottsville REPUBLICAN reporting on Marian's popularity in the aftermath of the Cardinal Brennan closing..

Several students, according to sources to the Bell Tower Blog, have not decided on where the next school will be--and also have decided that the choice is not one that they want to even be making at this time..

Let me know your thoughts..

2007-03-31T13:37:00.000-04:00

Do you want to see a permanent message board established on this page? Perhaps something to continue the memory of Cardinal Brennan for years to come? Any other suggestions of what you would like to see happen? Please let me know.. Email me or post a message.

The next phase..

2007-03-31T13:34:00.000-04:00

Finding a school. And not a college..

Will it be Nativity? If not a Hilltopper, will it be Marion? If not being bussed miles away from your house.. perhaps it's Shenendoah Valley High?

The Pottsville REPUBLICAN reporting that Shendodoah Valley is getting ready for an influx of Brennan students.

The Bishop's claim that Catholic education is alive and well in Northern Schuylkill county about to be put to the test.

A test he came up with.

Sales time

2007-03-29T12:33:00.000-04:00

> Let the selling begin: Nativity and Marion representatives were at Cardinal Brennan yesterday to give the fine points of why their respective schools are the obvious choices for the kids.
>
> Cardinal Brennan, after all, will be no more after June of this year. Only a Pope can stop a Bishop in a process like this.. Ratzinger most likely has other things on his plate besides a small town Catholic School in the Coal Region.
>
> Nativity offered up an idea yesterday: Co-validictorians. This year's junior CB class, if they went to Nativity, would have representation during next year's graduation. A one time only deal.
>
> Academics, sports, school spirit. All different. New school colors.. a brand new Alma Mater. So many changes awaiting the class of 2008 and 2009.. and 2010. And beyond.
>
>

The final march..

2007-03-25T09:30:00.000-04:00

Girardville was covered with green yesterday for the annual St Patrick's Day parade.. During the parade, Cardinal Brennan's blue and gold was seen for the final time: The small marching band that was organized a few years back marched through the main street of the town--this year however they teamed with Marian Catholic. Wonder when that was planned?

The talk of the town, though, in many instances was the future of Cardinal Brennan's grounds, the building, and the students and teachers.

There are 168 students now searching for a new school--juniors searching for a high school rather than a college as the Pottsville REPUBLICAN pointed out yesterday..
There's more than 20 teachers without jobs. Though past classes wouldn't know the new fresh faces of the 2000s, they would still be able to go back and see a few faces familiar.

This will be a life changing event--just as it was in Girardville last year and other schools in other states at other times.

Perhaps the most ironic part: One students who had his grade school, Immacuate Heart, close down last year now has his high school, Cardinal Brennan, closed down this year. He will now have to back to a grade school, Trinity in Shenendoah, to complete his eigth grade. That is, of course, if he continues in Catholic school.

Today's REPUBLICAN

2007-03-24T09:05:00.000-04:00

Principal Fowler appearing on the front page above the fold in tears..

The history of Cardinal Brennan reprinted in the paper today too.. The REPUBLICAN reporting today:

Rather than visiting colleges this summer, Cardinal Brennan 11th-grader Nicole Henning will tour high schools.
She’s part of the junior class at Cardinal Brennan Junior/Senior High School that will be forced out when the school closes June 8"

So few choices. So little time.

Media reports..

2007-03-23T19:52:00.000-04:00

News media orgs picking up the CB story--hours after Bell Tower Blog was the first to break the story of the school closing..

The Pottsville REPUBLICAN

WNEP..

The Bishop wrote in his letter to parents that CB students "will receive a warm and enthusiastic welcome" at Marian High School in Tamaqua or Nativity BVM High School in Pottsville and that seventh and eighth grade instruction will be restored at Trinity Academy at the Father Walter J. Ciszek Education Center In Shenandoah beginning in September...

"Wait until after lunch"

2007-03-23T13:25:00.001-04:00

Though some members of the clergy wanted the announcement of CB's closure to wait until after lunch, a few teachers (at least two) began telling class persons during homeroom.. The news quickly began to leak out and reverberate through the area..

The death of Cardinal Brennan High. A fixture in many lives for many years..

More coming.

The deed is done..

2007-03-23T08:24:00.000-04:00

> Cardinal Brennan shutting down..
> A very reliable source informs the Bell Tower Blog that after all the debate, Cardinal Brennan will be no more. Teachers are reportedly crying in hallways.. children shocked at the news that everyone knew was coming. It was just a matter of time from the beginning...
>
> More as it develops. But now, March 23, 2007: The beginning of the end of Cardinal Brennan.
>
>
> More coming as I learn information..

A few interesting facts..

2007-03-21T22:04:00.000-04:00

The Allentown MORNING CALL reporting on the possible closure of another school Our Lady of the Angels:

"Further spooking parents was a statement by Principal Sister Regina Elinich, who said that when the study began, ''I was told not to take registration.

Parent George Stianche said that failing to enroll is ''a nail in the coffin'' because it would discourage parents from considering the school.

Parent Chris Henritzy warned that ''if we start failing at the primary level, we can forget about Marian [Catholic High School, Rush Township].''Last year, the diocese closed two schools in northern Schuylkill County, merging them with a third.

Students from Immaculate Heart Elementary School in Girardville and Holy Family School in Frackville will join Father Walter J. Ciszek Elementary School in Shenandoah, the diocese Board of Pastors decided in April 2006.

The combined enrollment for the three schools was 274. Enrollment at Trinity is about 120.

St. John Neumann Regional School in Palmerton and Slatington are asking questions and offering comments on a similar study that started earlier. Studies also are being done at Cardinal Brennan Junior-Senior High School in Ashland.

A busy school closing Spring for Bishop Cullen..

The Alma Mater..

2007-03-21T19:25:00.001-04:00

Now presenting a recording of the Cardinal Brennan Alma Mater . .enjoy..

The Alma Mater..

Another day another school

2007-03-19T22:16:00.000-04:00

This time Lansford..

Worries among parents that Our Lady of the Angels in Carbon county will close..

A few stories from around the country..

2007-03-18T22:55:00.000-04:00

The weekly weekend reminder: It's not just here.

Ohio..

New York...

Iowa..

And from the Milwaukee JOURNAL SENTINAL

"Declining enrollment in Catholic schools nationwide is reflected in the Catholic elementary school closings in greater Racine, a spokeswoman for the Milwaukee Archdiocese said last week...

"Racine is no different as the diocese as a whole and schools across the country," said Kathleen Hohl, communications director for the Milwaukee Archdiocese."

Same old story. In a lot of places.

Anything can happen this week. Maybe even a phone call back from the Diocese!

Blogging. It's the new media, Bishop!

Matt Kerr name sightings..

2007-03-17T14:47:00.000-04:00

While Mr. Matt Kerr apparently didn't have time to get back to a lowly little blogger, he did have the chance to speak to the Pottsville REPUBLICAN:

The Diocesan Parish Council met Thursday night for a meeting in which it was expected to decide on a recommendation regarding the possible closing of the school, which has 168 students in grades 7 through 12.

"They did meet," Kerr said during a telephone conversation Friday. "This is as I expected. Until the process is complete we won’t be making an announcement. The process won’t be complete until the Bishop (The Rev. Edward P. Cullen, Bishop of Allentown) acts on any recommendation he receives."

The Bell Tower Blog has also been informed that another representative of the Diocesan Parish Council was at Cardinal Brennan on Thursday and spoke of how impressed he was with the faculty and student body..

Developing.. soon.
Oh, and Matt, you have my number.

The last snowstorm..

2007-03-16T14:17:00.000-04:00

Snow is falling down over East Central Pennsylvania today. And over Cardinal Brennan..

Years of snowball fights. .years of snowstorms causing delays and closings.. today's result was an earlier dismissal..

Perhaps for the last time this year. And maybe for the last time in the history of the school--depending on whatever the end-result will be of the CB decision process.

Years of memories from years of classes.. The school is quiet right now. No students, no teachers.. no nuns, no priests.
The school is empty as the snow falls down from the heavens above..

The snow falling down on the vacant building.. All of the people leaving it today hoped that it would only be temporarily vacant.. and not vacant for good.

Time will tell..

The clock ticks...

2007-03-15T23:24:00.000-04:00

No responses from Matt Kerr. Almost midnight. I guess it wasn't my lucky day.

Waiting...........

2007-03-15T14:36:00.001-04:00

Tick tock.. looking at the clock. Still nothing to infer from Matt Kerr.

Still no response. Second call made to Diocese.

...Messages...

2007-03-15T12:43:00.001-04:00

Left messages with the Diocese press office concerning any and all decisions that may be made today .. no responses as of yet. I will update further if anything comes to my attention..

2007-03-14T07:17:00.001-04:00

Today's POTTSVILLE REPUBLCAN reporting what the Bell Tower blog already has told you.. the Cardinal Brennan decision may take time and wil

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Letters in the mail..

2007-03-13T06:54:00.000-04:00

Bell Tower Blog received a copy of a letter being sent to Bishop Cullen from a parent of students at Cardinal Brennan.. Hundreds of letters similar to this are on their way to the Bishop and others..

March 12, 2007

Most Rev. Edward P. Cullen, D.D.

4029 W. Tilghman St.

PO Box F

Allentown, PA, 18105-1538

Diocesan Council

Attn.: All Members
Your Excellency & Members of Council:

I hope you find a moment to read my letter.

Shortly, you will be presented with monumental decision that will affect many students, faculty, staff and parents. I, as many others, pray that you will be guided well to make the best decision possible.

I know that due to many factors, including finances, declining enrollment and a plethora of additional reasons, Cardinal Brennan is being reviewed in to determine it viability for future educational purposes. As expected, folks here are quite distressed about the outcome of your decision and the impact it may have on Northern Schuylkill County. We are still coming to grips with the recent elementary school consolidation and both Frackville and Girardville residents are mourning the loss of their beloved parochial schools.

I wanted to be sure you knew “Cardinal Brennan”. It is a beautiful campus, with historical buildings, stunning architecture and wooded areas that would be hard to recreate anywhere else. I know you have been invited before, but I must beg you, before you make this decision, please come and see our school. Take a walk around. The grounds in spring are a sight to behold. Anyone who appreciates nature could not possibly tour the grounds here and not come away with a feeling of peacefulness and feel just a small step closer to our Creator.

Peer in the trophy case. You can almost hear the crowds cheering due to a game winning shot, or perfectly kicked field goal. Walk through our gym and think about the number of athletes who have spent hours and hours practicing, learning discipline and sportsmanship.

Walk through our classrooms; take a moment to listen to the current education that is being offered to our children at Brennan. You have a teaching staff that any administration can be proud of. The college entrance rates are phenomenal and the SAT scores are second to none. Currently, my children will be able to avail themselves of advanced placement classes, which will make it much easier for them to achieve their future goals.

Walk on the school stage and you can’t help but wonder how many aspiring actors, actresses and vocalists performed here. How many band practices occurred? It is here that so many teens acquired their love of the arts.

Within the last few years, Brennan has replaced windows, built an additional gym and updated the field house. There is much more to do, but I think you will find that the students, staff and alumni aren’t above a little hard work and sacrifice. If we were ever made officially made aware of the sobering financial situation, perhaps we could have offered assistance previously. We can work within our communities and provide proposals that may be realistic from a business perspective.

The future of Brennan is bright. Due to the current construction, we can expand and grow. We can support any type of school should you reconsider the K-12 program. You will find yourself surrounded with hundreds of people who care and are more than willing to work with you.

Please, your Excellency, remember, with your decision many lives will be impacted. Memories and history have already been made here at Brennan. Who knows what the future may hold?

I also pass this letter along to the generous members of the Diocesan Council who I know already volunteer many hours to our Church. I know they have already been cordially invited, but I wanted to extend the invitation one more time. Please…please…before you make such a life altering decision, come and visit! We ask for one more hour of your time. Put a face to the name and a picture in your mind. Then, upon making this assessment, you will know it was decided in good faith. I pray you too, are guided well. The future of my children and hundreds of others are depending on you.

Respectfully,

Mother of two current Chargers & two future Chargers

Don't expect anything this week

2007-03-12T17:35:00.000-04:00

Though there has been speculation that there would be some form of a decision made regarding Cardinal Brennan's future by March 15, a phone call to the Diocese press office today offers very different information...

The Bell Tower Blog spoke to the Diocese today. On the March 15 date: Don't expect anything this week. The spokesman told me that regardless of what rumors are being circulated, it may be a while before the Bishop makes any final decisions on the future of the school..

On how the decision will be made: No clue.

The official I spoke to also told me that there has been no official decision on how the Diocese will disperse information on the Cardinal Brennan once it has been made..

A source to the Bell Tower Blog also confirms that there was an official from the Pastoral Council at Cardinal Brennan today for a visit.. The source told me that the official from the Council was "very impressed" by the school's facilities, the "spirit," and the teachers.. I will attempt to confirm this information with Cardinal Brennan tomorrow during business hours..

But the big story: There will probably not be anything confirmed for some time, and there is still no word on how exactly a decision will be released once it's made..

Developing..

More letters.. more schools..

2007-03-12T09:05:00.001-04:00

The Allentown MORNING CALL (http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b3_1schools.5744935mar10,0,7080207.story) has running story that may sound eerily familiar: Parents of students at Our Lady of the Angels Academy in Lansford were mailed letters last week telling them that their close may close due to operating costs and enrollment.
Cardinal Brennan gets a mention in the article..Interestingly enough, Diocese Spokesman Matt Kerr said that no studies were planned at Ss. Peter and Paul School in Lehighton; St. Joseph's Regional Academy in Jim Thorpe; St. Jerome Regional School in Tamaqua; any other elementary schools; or Marian High School in Barnesville.
March 15 is almost here.

Another letter to the editor..

2007-03-09T22:34:00.000-05:00

The news of CB's possible shut down makes it to California.. Letter to the editor appears in REPUBLICAN..

Some other interesting news..

2007-03-07T18:52:00.000-05:00

From the Reading EAGLE blog on school consolidation in Berks county: "The Issue: Some area Catholics suggest the Allentown Diocese should consolidate its two high schools in Berks County rather than build a new Central Catholic High School.
Our Opinion: Those arguments make sense, but the diocese is free to do whatever it wants to do.
The Allentown Diocese has made up its mind. It’s going to relocated Central Catholic High School from Reading to Exeter Township no matter what anyone has to say about it.
That comes despite the fact that several people whose children attend Catholic schools in Berks County have raised a number of very logical objections to the plan"

I offer it up only to show it's happening in a lot of places.. There are going to be a lot of lives and memories effected this year by what the Allentown diocese -- and others across the country for that matter --- decides..

There is also a story from yesterday's Hazleton STANDARD SPEAKER concerning parents challenging the Bishop of Scranton (and mentioning the Bishop of Allentown..
From the story: "A parents’ group seeking to stop the impending closure of Bishop Hafey Junior/Senior High School has publicly asked to meet with Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino.
But the Committee to Save Bishop Hafey High School and Catholic Education’s newspaper advertisement, placed in the Standard-Speaker Feb. 28, has been met with silence from the diocese"

I was curious

2007-03-07T18:45:00.000-05:00

..Something tells me that there are more than a few success stories for Cardinal Brennan graduates..

So tell me at schmuckraker@gmail.com, how did Cardinal Brennan effect your life? Did it help.. did it create a better foundation??

Let me know. . I'd be interested in hearing..

Just curious.

The calender says it all...

2007-03-07T18:34:00.000-05:00

The official Cardinal Brennan calender for March 2007 complete with a note on the 15th, (the date that an open house for new students was scheduled): POSTPONED TO BE RESCHEDULED..

Not just here..

2007-03-05T18:12:00.000-05:00

Catholic schools being shut down around the country..
St. Louis Missouri..

New Jersey..

Baltimore..

Last Catholic school in New Hampshire town closing..

And the news of Cardinal Brennan getting to the West coast..
Blog from Tucson talks about Cardinal Brennan *though they wrongly deemed our local paper the "Potttown" REPUBLICAN..

Other local media on hand for yesterday's meeting..

2007-03-05T18:08:00.000-05:00

The Hazleton STANDARD SPEAKER writes..

"Approximately 400 members of the Cardinal Brennan High School community, including students, parents, faculty, administration and alumni, gathered Sunday in the field house on school’s Fountain Springs campus to gather information about the future of the financially struggling high school. The group learned of the scheduled meeting Wednesday of last week in a letter mailed from the Allentown diocese to the home of each student.
According to the letter, the school’s declining enrollment and increasing indebtedness prompted the Diocesan Pastoral Council, at the recent conclusion of the Second Synod, to recommend an examination of the feasibility of continuing to offer Catholic education at Cardinal Brennan."

WNEP report:

"Students brought signs and songs, singing the school's alma mater. The school gym was packed with parents and students, all concerned about their school's future"

Questions and answers

2007-03-05T18:07:00.002-05:00

The Pottsville REPUBLICAN printing the official questions and answers from yesterday's meeting..

The stats..

2007-03-05T18:07:00.001-05:00

Cardinal Brennan facts..
Nativity facts..
Marian Catholic facts..

A future choice..

2007-03-05T17:29:00.000-05:00

The school consolidation may bring about new questions for parents: Where to send their kids..

If and when Cardinal Brennan is closed, parents who have their children enrolled there will have to choose between Nativity BVM, Marion, North Schuylkill, Shenendoah Valley, and whatever other district they may be from..

A tough choice for parents that have juniors ready to be seniors.. Perhaps the toughest for the juniors that won't have that same upperclassman feel..

vs
The rumor lately has been that Nativity BVM, pictured on the left, would be the school that the diocese says will be future school for Cardinal Brennan students.. Brennan, pictured on the right..

Comparisons:

Map of Cardinal Brennan..

Nativity BVM map..

The facts: Cardinal Brennan was built in 1926.. Interior is plaster, exterior is brick..

The sales history.. hold your breath
Sisters of IHM sold CB to Bishop Cullen for $1 on February 9, 1998..
95.5 acres.. at stake..

Read more..

The day after..

2007-03-05T09:09:00.001-05:00

The Pottsville REPUBLICAN reporting that over 400 were at the meeting (http://www.republicanherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18038492&BRD=2626&PAG=461&dept_id=532624&rfi=6) .. not sure if anyone got a real total or head count, but judging from reports and photographs, it's easy to assume that the number was possibly well above 400..

The theme of the day: Family. The students and alumni fearing the feeling that a loss in the family was about to occur if CB closed.. the theme of the day from the council of priests (a group that some are labeling the Jedi Council, a reference to STAR WARS): MONEY $ $ $

Mark E. Smith, secretary of temporal affairs, said that if the current states of affairs continues and CB is kept open, tuition would have to exceed $7,000 per student next year!
I spoke to one parent after the meeting, who was highly involved with organizing the Sunday meeting. He said that while he believes the numbers show that CB could be financially stable and the feasibility exists that it would stay open and succeed, he also believes the decision may have already been reached months ago. "Going through the motions," he told me as he walked away under the cloudy sky..
Perhaps so. Either way, the students yesterday have reasons to be very proud of the motions they went through...

2007-03-04T23:33:00.000-05:00

The song that will stuck in a lot of ears for a long time to come, even if the school goes..

We sing our praise to alma mater the school we all love.
We raise heart and voice in joyous acclaim.
We cherish you and all you teach us.
Blue and gold your colors our fame.
We will be true to the ideals that are strong heritage.
From on high you reign our true beacon light;
Now let's sing out in happy chorus.
Praise to our dear school,
Cardinal Brennan High!

I'm from the graduating class of '99, around the same year we saw a brand new version of the song written for the school by a priest that was just transferred this year to a new parish, himself.

It was a great show of spirit and unity at the meeting tonight.. A proud and peaceful protest that demanded the time and attention of the men and woman up on the stage.

WNEP was there..

2007-03-04T22:32:00.000-05:00

The story from their site..

Their newscast tonight showed video of the Alma Mater being sung before the event..

Initial dispatches..

2007-03-04T17:14:00.000-05:00

There was a light snow falling down on Cardinal Brennan when parents, students, priests, nuns, parents, media, and other interested parties arrived for the scheduled 2pm meeting about the future of Cardinal Brennan Jr/Sr High..

Several hundred people lined the field house of the school, jammed in to hear the words of the decision makers that will soon announce what they say the fate of CB should be..

The pastoral council was just about to begin their presentation when students erupted in the Alma Mater. Parents and alumni joined in, ending with a stomping, loud applause..

The initial report: Just as some expected. The door has been left open, at least it appears, that CB could possibly stay open.. The next meeting will be mid-month, the council announced.. They'd submit their recommendation on the school to the Bishop, who then would make his decision..

Even though the process sounds official, it also sounded that way before. Other dioceses faced the same types of meetings.. other schools faced the same types of words..

And schools still ended up closing..

Perhaps the same fate for CB awaits. Maybe not. Time will tell.

But at least this day, telephone poles and yards were lined with signs in support of Cardinal Brennan, past and present, and future..

More coming..

Editorial on D Day

2007-03-04T10:54:00.000-05:00

A great editorial in today's Pottsville REPUBLICAN

Some thoughts before the storm..

2007-03-04T10:42:00.000-05:00

Parents, alumni..students. All ready for today. I am more than certain though that the Allentown diocese is, as well..

An interesting thing happened this weekend. I saw a few folks that attended Cardinal Brennan, and in their old age they have become some of the biggest contributors to the school. Family name withheld.

I brought up the possibility that Cardinal Brennan may close. The husband of the family quickly got up and covered his mouth. I was confused, until his wife said that he has been having chest pains since the news started coming out.. Of course I felt terrible..

But that is exactly what it comes down to: A generation, and a history. The fact that Cardinal Brennan was a private school doesn't make it any less important. I even heard one argument that since CB was so expensive (at least in the last 4 or 5 years especially) the chances it closes won't hurt anyone but rich people... It may come down to a us vs them philosophy for some people, but 'the rich' are not 'the evil'. And the wealthty make sacrifices by sending children to private schools just as 'poor' do.

Furthermore, there have been more than wealthy people that went to CB in its history, granted the wealthy were included with alumni and students. However, percentage wise, since public school districts have more students in general, there will also be rich there, too.

Throughout generations, some principals made it easier for students of a lesser than wealthy background to attend school; years ago Father Frans Berkhout made a promise that any child of any background that wanted a Catholic education would get one.

There's something even bigger, though.

Kids don't go to Church like their parents and godparents.. Kids don't keep the same faith obligations as their ancestors. Things have changed.

And arguably, it's not just the kids. It is also a Church that handles church and school closings in less than respectable ways. It could be the last few years worth of news stories of priests gone bad. It could be the sneaking suspicion that money is a bigger issue than student involvement with Catholic education.

There are a lot of factors that go into this story.. A lot of back stories.. A lot of feelings and emotions. And a like of fears.

Fears for junior class persons that will not have the same chances if their school suddenly shuts down and their parents have to seek out a new school just for one more year.. and then what about colleges..?

A lot of questions. And judging from how Catholic schools have been closed in the Coal Region before, probably not as many answers.

But that won't stop people from fighting for something they believe deep in their hearts is important for their future.. And past.

Today is it..

2007-03-04T01:24:00.000-05:00

2pm

It's the weekend..

2007-03-02T19:41:00.000-05:00

And it's going to be interesting. The stage set now for Sunday's meeting at Cardinal Brennan .. early word have predictions that more than 100 people will show for the meeting. Some alumni getting together. . parents .. former students.. interested parties.. donors that gave money and maybe won't be able to anymore..

Former student writes to paper..

Official questions were sent to the diocese this week as well. Question 14 may hit the hardest: "The bishop once referred to Schuylkill County as the “slum of the diocese.” How does that viewpoint impact the decision to study the feasibility of Cardinal Brennan? Why are we seen as the stepchild of the diocese in every instance except when requesting money?"

I wonder if the questions being compiled by Matt Kerr included the 'slum' reference..

Walking through the valley of darkness gets dark.

Stage set for Sunday. Two hours for over 70 questions.

Oh, if you don't get your question heard, there *drum roll please* will be a chance to write down your question on a small index card and give it the representatives of the diocese that come to Cardinal Brennan's field house.

Oh, and "Kerr said he is unsure if anyone will be permitted to ask questions from the floor".

Silence is deafening.

Questions revealed..

2007-03-01T10:01:00.000-05:00

Pottsville REPUBLICAN today has a large list of questions that have been submitted to the diocese on the possibility of Cardinal Brennan closing.. More coming..

Last night's meeting

2007-02-28T12:12:00.000-05:00

The meeting last night, as reporting in today's Pottsville REPUBLICAN (http://www.republicanherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17907587&BRD=2626&PAG=461&dept_id=529074&rfi=6), was a session of emotional debate, near-resigned condemnation of the diocese, and the beginnings of a plan of action that--if and when the battle ends--it consist of a group of parents, students, and alumni that go down with a fight..

Several parents admitted that they feel they don't stand a chance. Others believe that their voice will still be heard.. However, in the end, most believe that if it ends it will not be silent..

As reported in the REPUBLICAN, Carol Twardzik, a parent of a Brennan student, said, "The purpose of this meeting is to get a unified front. The Synod had two years to develop and carry out a plan. We have just four business days to organize ourselves."
Parents left the three hour meeting dismayed by the process. Some compared it to last year's debacle in Girardville, which ended in schools being closed down and clergy never truly saying why, instead mocking parents with "sports" insults and other sarcastic comments during a closed-to-the-media session about the future of grade schools in the greater Schuykill county area..
The meeting, scheduled for Sunday at 2pm until 4pm, may be needless, according to at least one parents. The fact is, the decision about the future of Cardinal Brennan may very well have already been made--long before the debate over the future began.

Cardinal Brennan "worth the investment"

2007-02-27T23:15:00.000-05:00

Tim Wardzik in a letter to the POTTSVILLE REPUBLICAN today:

"Our children deserve more than four days to decide their future.

Pastoral council, please take your time and do the right thing. "

More at http://www.republicanherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17902020&BRD=2626&PAG=461&dept_id=530483&rfi=6

POTTSVILLE REPUBLICAN STRIKES BACK

2007-02-27T23:12:00.000-05:00

Apparently the newspaper has been getting some angry mail lately about their coverage of Cardinal Brennan's future..
Editor Banko bite:

"I'm told one official said something along the lines of "Everyone knows the church is having financial trouble, so that's not news." Obviously, the financial distress and possible closing of a school -- any school -- is a major story... just ask the people who work there, who attend classes there, so send there kids there or who attended the school themselves. Or the people of the diocese. To claim it is not newsworthy is to claim that an event or issue that impacts hundreds of people is not important. The REPUBLICAN & Herald will continue this story as it unfolds. Because it's important to the readers."

Good decision, Mr. Banko. Also, I would be curious to see you expand on who this "official" may have been..

Early word..

2007-02-27T23:02:00.000-05:00

Same story. Same old song and dance. Cardinal Brennan appears to be going to the same direction as Immaculate Heart in Girardville..

Major meeting tonight

2007-02-27T18:01:00.000-05:00

Parents plan of action put into place.. or at least will be put into place tonight..

Hope to have some information on what happened later..

2007-02-25T19:01:00.000-05:00

I wonder how many pre-written questions for the March 4 meeting have been received yet??

And I wonder how many won't get repeated on March 4.............

The death of Catholic education up North

2007-02-25T18:57:00.000-05:00

It's not just here. .The Scranton TIMES-TRIBUNE reporting on parents struggling with higher tuition bills.. According to the TIMES-TRIBUNE, here is the info on tuition prices up north:
Bishop Hannan: $3,575

Bishop O’Hara: $4,295

¦ High schools 2007-08

Holy Cross High School: $4,000

¦ Elementary schools 2006-07

Our Lady of Peace: $2,625

St. Mary of Mount Carmel: $1,975

LaSalle Academy: $2,200

All Saints Academy: $2,200

St. Clare/St. Paul: $2,000

Marian Catholic: $2,160

IF Cardinal Brennan is open next year, it's anyone's guess as to what the price will be for an education.

2007-02-25T08:32:00.000-05:00

Heard a lot of debate of private vs public schools lately..

I am not even sure if it really comes down to the argument between public vs private, that's not winnable since everyone would have a different story.
But what I DO think it comes down to this is: Betrayal of an entire area by a church. They are taking advantage of the "dumb" coal regioners.. closing down schools and churches because of "no money" all the while Cardinal Brennan was not permitted to even have a fundraiser! This while the Church shells out dollar after dollar continuously for abuse cases to this day..
It's a sad state of affairs. There's no face to the closures. It's numbers. It's "enrollment."

The dioscese has successfully created the circumstances that exist now. They are using those self-created circumstances to justify what they will do next.

More than a few students that went to CB will remember the "sacred ground" lines they used to get. Guess it wouldn't be sacred anymore if they just sell or auction off the land to the highest buyer...

2007-02-24T11:05:00.000-05:00

A series of unfortunate events always lead to more. Hopefully not this time.. but time will tell..

This blog meant to serve as the written history of how a school either closed or stayed open.. a documentation on a Catholic Church that seems to be struggling in what was once one of the biggest strongholds in the country: The Coal Region of Pennsylvania...