Some thoughts before the storm..

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..

2pm

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