The letter below was sent to all registered parishoners. For school families, it was sent through school. For non-school families, it was mailed to their home address. A survey was sent with the letter.
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January 9, 2006
Dear Parishioners,
As was mentioned this weekend, here is the survey we are sending for INFORMATION GATHERING PURPOSES only. The pastors of the BBAMP parishes have been in conversation for quite some time about the possibility of regionalizing some of our schools. Two years ago the parish councils and other leaders of our parishes did a study of the demographics of our parishes. We looked at trends of the past five years regarding the parish membership, baptism rates, kindergarten enrollment, grade by grade student population, and other records. We then projected out five years in the future to see where our enrollment would be.
What became apparent was that Ascension, St. Barnabas, St. Bartholomew and St. Pius X schools are declining in enrollment. They are still healthy, and each parish is taking responsible steps to help our schools remain available, affordable, and of the highest possible quality. Our principals are working together to share ideas, resources, and staff to help us provide a solid Catholic education to students of all our parishes.
When we saw the regional school develop in the St. Denis, St. Helen, and St. Lawrence parishes, we asked ourselves, “Is this something we need to be looking at here?” That is all we are doing at this point.
We have made no decisions. We are only asking the important questions that will help us make the most informed decision we can for the future of our Catholic students and their parents. We have asked Fr. Joe Atcher, director of the Office of Lifelong Formation and Education for the Archdiocese, to advise us in this process. He recommended surveying our parishes.
Please complete the enclosed survey and return it to your parish by January 20th via the Sunday collection, mail, or parish or school office. It is very important that we hear back from you. We thank God and pray for you daily.
In Christ,
Fr. Gary Padgett, Fr. Wayne Jenkins, Fr. Peter Quan Do, Fr. Chuck Walker
