St. Mary’s pastor, Fr. Frank Lawlor, announces during a press conference on Thursday afternoon that St. Mary’s parish high school will remain open.
WESTFIELD – Fr. Frank Lawlor, head of schools at St. Mary’s announced in a press conference Thursday at noon that Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of the Diocese of Springfield would be giving the parish school a one year non-renewable educational assistance grant of $300,000, on top of its normal allocation, to keep the St. Mary’s High School open for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Referring to the miracle of Easter that will be celebrated in churches all over the world this weekend, Lawlor called it “a resurrection of sorts” for the Catholic high school. Lawlor also said there would be stipulations, having to do more with increasing enrollment than strictly financial reasons.
Some of those stipulations are that the fall 2018 freshman enrollment needs to be a minimum of 20 students and that for future years a minimum of 30 freshmen per year.
The proposed minimum 30 students would eventually meet the previously reported 120 student population target for the school’s continuation.
When questioned by The Westfield News if the school could again face the threat of closure a year from now if enrollment numbers weren’t met, Fr. Lawlor stated, “We’re not even thinking about that now. St. Mary’s has some challenges but we have incredible spirit and an incredible community.”
Additionally, the Bishop stated that the outstanding balance of $385,000 of unpaid lay employee pension contributions since 2011 be addressed and a plan of repayment established.
“The sleeping giant that is St. Mary’s was awakened over the last couple of weeks, and the spirit and the energy that we’ve seen has not been seen in a long time,” Lawlor said, adding, “Now we have to harness that energy and direct it into building the student body and solving some of the financial issues.”
Lawlor thanked the Bishop for the financial support, saying he had been unfairly criticized for not supporting Catholic schools. “The Bishop has been wonderful,” Lawlor said. “He has done everything possible to support this Catholic school.”
The decision by the Diocese follows a weekend meeting between the Bishop, Fr. Lawlor and the three parish boards. Richard G. Labrie, who serves on both the Parish School Board and the Diocesan Pathways to Faith Commission, a Diocesan panel to study the future of Catholic education, attended that Saturday meeting.
St. Mary’s pastor, Fr. Frank Lawlor, reads from a statement by Bishop Rozanski some of the stipulations that St. Mary’s parish high school will need to meet in order to remain open.
“I’m very happy that both the Bishop and Fr. Frank realize the commitment of the parish to the school. We will be working with Fr. Frank towards the long-term sustainability of the St. Mary’s Parish schools,” Labrie said.
Labrie said now it’s important to get the word out that “we’re open for business.”
“Our feeling is that there are potential students out there who were waiting for the decision before applying,” Labrie said, adding now is the time for those students to apply, “the sooner, the better.”
“Exciting news, isn’t it,” said St. Mary’s parent and alumni Bob Wilcox, who says he has a sophomore and a junior in the high school and three more behind them. Wilcox has been very vocal since the announcement of the school’s closing on March 12, only about two and a half weeks ago.
“First and foremost, I want to publicly thank the Bishop and Fr. Frank for reversing their decision,” Wilcox said. He said he understands there are stipulations, but said many leaders have stepped up to the plate recently, offering their help.
“Fr. Frank said we awakened a sleeping giant. That’s true. My hope is that this turns out to be a blessing in disguise, and ultimately helpful in the long run. Whatever differences we have, let’s come together for the good of Catholic education, the students that are here, and the students to come,” Wilcox said, adding that he and others are willing to do whatever it takes.
“We’re thankful for the opportunity,” Wilcox said.
Erin Carrier, President of the St. Mary’s Parish School Board and member of the Diocesan school board said, “The St. Mary’s community, parents, parishioners, alumni and most importantly the students, are thrilled with the Bishop’s decision.”
Carrier, who was a guest on The Westfield News Radio Show Thursday morning continued by saying that the St. Mary’s community was, “Grateful to him (the Bishop) and his team for taking the time to listen us, to hear our concerns, and then working with us to create a plan moving forward.”
Fr. Lawlor, in the press conference, stated that a reconstituted school board will be charged with spearheading the high school’s success. When The Westfield News questioned him about whether the school board would be a decision making body or an advisory board he stated that they would be advisory.
