Parishioners fight to save Blessed Teresa school
Shannon Howard | Dec 07, 2009 | Comments 3
Unless an alternate plan can be adopted by December 14, Blessed Teresa grade school in Ferguson will likely be closed.
It’s tough to be a Catholic in North County. Over the past 20 years, the St. Louis Archdiocese has closed or consolidated around thirty North County parishes, striking a brutal blow to many local neighborhoods and playing a substantial role in their decline.
In 2005, it was four Ferguson-area parishes on the chopping block: Good Shepherd, St. Bartholomew, St. Sebastian and Sts. John and James, which had served the community since 1882. Ultimately, all four were consolidated into the new Blessed Teresa of Calcutta parish, with church services held at the old Good Shepherd and classrooms located at the old John & James.
But today, even that arrangement is in jeopardy. Facing declining enrollment and escalating costs, BTC’s pastor, Rev. Robert Rosebrough, has announced plans to close the school unless parish leaders can come up with an alternate plan and lots of money by December 14th.
Blessed Teresa serves a diverse group of students from throughout the Ferguson area.
Parish leaders have indeed stepped up, raising more than $170,000 in just two weeks. They’re also exploring ways to cut costs and increase enrollment, and they’ve set an ambitious fundraising goal of $1 million – an amount that could fund the school for two years. They’re asking everyone with a vested interest in quality private education in North County to please contribute to their “We Can Make a Difference” campaign.
If you’re from Ferguson, I don’t need to explain how devastating it would be to lose BTC school. It has played a vital role in our city for 96 years. If you’re not from Ferguson, just know that an incredibly dedicated group of parents and parishioners has worked so hard to keep this parish up and running. Some have devoted 5+ years to this effort, and it would be wonderful to see their commitment finally pay off.
Ferguson needs a good private grade school if it’s to remain a viable community. And I say that as someone with no kids of my own. To me, the irony in this Blessed Teresa issue is that we’re talking about closing a school named after a woman who devoted her life to serving the poor, in a place where countless poor children could greatly benefit from the school’s services. BTC school is also vitally important to retaining middle-class families in the area.
If you can support the good folks of Blessed Teresa with a financial contribution or a long-term pledge by December 14, it would be greatly appreciated. And please note, should Father Rosebrough decide to close the school, the parish will NOT receive any of the funds raised. All money from the “We Can Make a Difference” campaign is tagged specifically for school funding, and without a school, it will be returned to donors.
Donations can be sent to: BTC “We Can Make a Difference,” 1050 Smith Ave, St. Louis, MO 63135, or donate online. Thank you for your help!
Update, 12/8: The Post-Dispatch has picked up on the Blessed Teresa story, obtaining an official statement from Father Rosebrough and the Archdiocese. See the story here.
Filed Under: Community • Get Involved
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