Catholic school closings become a pattern
I was sad to hear that St. Maria Goretti School will be closing (Jan. 25, “2 Catholic Grade Schools to Close, 4 Others to Merge”). This is the same thing that happened to St. Raphael in Morningside last year. In 1997, Risen Lord on California Avenue was in the same situation.
The schools had many fundraisers and solicited donations. Then the schools closed. I heard that anyone who donated by check could get a refund. When St. Raphael solicited donations, I sent two checks. I called several times asking for a refund, but that didn’t happen. The school was keeping that money.
Father Kris Stubna told a TV reporter that the school used some of that money for last year’s expenses. And the school planned to give students $1,000 toward tuition at another school. A nice gesture to appease people who had the rug pulled out from under them, but that is not why I donated.
The people of Morningside loved that school. I’m sure many gave more money than they could afford because they desperately wanted that school to remain open. It closed. No one has been able to get a refund. I did get my money. I withheld it from my weekly collection envelope. Unfortunately, I am not a member of St. Raphael, so my home parish had to take the hit.
To the people of St. Maria Goretti: Help your children make the most of their last months at the school they love.
Don’t raise any more money or solicit donations — the school is going to close. The school is going to keep the money raised. I taught in a Catholic school in the 1970s. I found out then that you don’t question or disagree with a priest because — you just don’t. They are always right, and their decisions are in stone. They do what the Catholic Church does best — drive people away.
BONNIE OSWALD
Shaler regarding the museum’s future?” The trustees who wrestled long and hard with their allegiance to Mr. Olijnyk and the need to envision the future. An interim director with a passion for the arts and a sound knowledge of nonprofit governance.
The indelible artistic contributions of Barbara Luderowski and Mr. Olijnyk have not been “smeared.” Nor has the Mattress Factory been “permanently tarnished.” It was unprepared for the loss of its founder, but it is now on stable ground with a vision for its next chapter. We should get behind it. JUDITH HANSEN O’TOOLE
Greensburg