Holy Cross officials say merger not feasible, vow to appeal

In September, the mood at Holy Cross Parish School in Mount Airy was upbeat: The school was celebrating its 100th anniversary, and a pictorial tribute on the school website ended with the words: "Looking forward to our next 100 years!"

But unless the school principal and parish priest can change the minds of officials in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Holy Cross will not be around for even one more year.

The 145-student, K-8 school is among 45 elementary schools in the archdiocese selected for closure. It will be merged with Our Mother of Consolation school in Chestnut Hill.

Principal Bryan Werner and the Rev. James M. Cox said Saturday that they would appeal to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput to reconsider. Chaput has said he would consider appeals if they were based on factual errors.

Werner and Cox said Our Mother of Consolation, which enrolls about 185 students, does not have the capacity for all of Holy Cross' children. The building capacity, they said, is 230.

"There could be 100 kids between the two schools who are unable to attend the new school," Werner estimated.

At the 5 o'clock Mass last night, Cox underscored the importance of the school, which serves a largely non-Catholic student body.

"I believe that our school has a very important purpose . . . and that is the evangelization of the students we serve," he told parishioners.

At Masses across the region, parishes were grappling with the aftermath of the announcement of the widespread closure plan.

In Levittown, Bucks County, the Rev. Michael C. DiIorio told parishioners at St. Michael the Archangel Church that he might appeal and asked for a show of hands from congregation members on whether they agreed. Nearly all the hands of the roughly 200 in attendance shot up.

"We are a family," he said, noting his concerns that children will have to travel 11 miles to the new location - Our Lady of Grace in Penndel - and that Lower Bucks County will no longer have a Catholic school. He offered to be available to speak with families at the church hall between 1:30 and 4 p.m. Sunday.

Parishioner Pasquale Sabatini Sr., 71, who had two sons go through the school, said: "It's a sad day for Catholics. First, it's the schools and then it will be the churches. You have to support the church, but it's not being done."

Jeanette Kristoff, 77, also worried about the church shutting next. Her five children went to the school and one grandchild is now there. She said that they received a good education and that the closing would be the end of an era.

At Holy Cross, in the 100 block of East Mount Airy Avenue, parishioners also were discouraged, although most acknowledged they do not have children at the school.

"Hate to hear it," said Geneva Roberts, a retired nurse.

"It's very unfortunate. It just seems a shame that any of the schools have to be closed," said Helen Miller, a retired public-services director from the Free Library.

Cox acknowledged that the school has struggled for several reasons, including the lack of Catholics practicing their faith. He noted that Masses are packed at Easter and Christmas.

"Where are these people . . . the rest of the year?" he said, addressing the congregation. "They are not here working with us. They are not here supporting us."

At Holy Cross, nearly all students are African American and come from diverse economic backgrounds. The bulk live in East and West Mount Airy, though some come from the Northeast.

Enrollment has declined by about 30 students over the last three years as the economy faltered. The archdiocese has subsidized the school so that it can make payroll, Cox noted.

Werner and Cox are concerned that students unable to go to Our Mother of Consolation will be forced into failing public schools.

"A lot of our kids will have no alternative," Werner said.

About 90 percent of Holy Cross students are not Catholic. Our Mother of Consolation has a larger percentage of Catholic students. It was founded in 1862 and touts on its website an average class size of 23 students.

Holy Cross has begun aggressive fund-raising to boost the school's finances, Werner said. The school has added technology and preserved gym, computer, Spanish, art, music, band, and an honors program while some other schools have cut in those areas.

Cox acknowledged that his parishioners have mixed feelings. Some are concerned that precious parish resources have gone into a school that services few Catholics. But others say they believe the non-Catholic population makes the mission more crucial, he said.

Cox said that staffs of affected schools would learn more at a meeting Tuesday.

"I don't know where it's all going to go," Cox said. "I am totally committed to cooperation. But I feel compelled to state our case."

at 215-854-4693 or ssnyder@phillynews.com.