It's the weekend..

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..

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

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"

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

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..

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