Pastor: The Numbers Don't Add Up For SMS

The pastor of St. Monica's Parish in Berwyn says he will not personally get behind efforts to save the parish school because the numbers simply don't add up. Father William Trader sent an open letter to St. Monica's church and school families Monday afternoon indicating the roller coaster ride St. Monica's has been on since January has been difficult for him as well as the students, parents and staff of .

Trader told the school and church community that the enrollment and tuition numbers simply add up to a conclusion that is not in the best interest of the students or their education. "If I supported this effort, the remaining families who did not opt for Save SMS would be required to pay out of parish rates in neighboring schools," Fr. Trader wrote in an email."  My other concern was that trying to operate a school so small would be at odds with good educational standards."

St. Monica's Pastor Opposed St. Patrick's Appeal

and consolidating them in a new regional school. and despite Trader's efforts to keep the two schools on a course toward combining into a regional school.

By the time the appeal was granted to St. Patrick's earlier this month, St. Monica's enrollment had dropped to 144. Projections as of last week were that St. Monica's school would only have less than 75 if it were to be saved.

If he were to fight the closure any further, St. Monica families would not be able to get "in parish" rates for their displaced students at other parish schools in the area. While he says he still favors the regional school approach, that is not in the cards for now and he is taking a position that he believes best serves St. Monica's remaining families.

Here is the full text of the letter Trader e-mailed to St. Monica families Monday evening.

Dear Parents and Children at Saint Monica's School and Parishioners of Saint Monica's,

      On Friday, 24 February, some of you received an email from the leaders of "Save SMS." It stated that I would not be supporting or filing another appeal to keep the school open. I spoke at the Masses this weekend and clearly told you that there was much careful deliberation and a considerable amount of time and energy spent in consulting many Parish and Archdiocesan sources. I also spoke of my own personal reflection and prayer. Always and everywhere I kept in front of me the best interest of the children and the Parish.

      I believed and still believe that the future of Catholic education lies in the regional school concept. Many of you also came to believe in this. When St. Patrick's Pastor and Principal appealed the regionalization on 30 January, Lisa Hoban and I challenged their appeal that very day. I was called to the Archbishop's Office on 16 February. It was there he told me he was going to accept the appeal. I appealed again, and he reviewed his decision. That evening I spoke with the Archbishop and he informed me that after a second review, he was still upholding the appeal.

      At the time of the Blue Ribbon Commission decision on 6 January, we had 157 students. At the time of the Archbishop's final decision we had 144 students. On Sunday, 19 February, Save SMS spoke of a possible school population of 107. During last week, with the help of a Parent survey, the number was less than 75. If I supported this effort, the remaining families who did not opt for Save SMS would be required to pay out of parish rates in neighboring schools. My other concern was that trying to operate a school so small would be at odds with good educational standards. I spoke with many expert educational leaders from around this diocese. Their expertise also helped in my making this decision not to appeal.

       My immediate priority remains the children. Today, Monday, 27 February, I met with the Pastors and Principals of St. Katharine of Siena and St. Norbert. This meeting was brokered by our Parish Leadership. Traditionally this kind of meeting does not happen. Each parish school is an entity of itself in somewhat competition with its neighbors. These pastors and principals have been very welcoming and solicitous toward us here at St. Monica's. They, too, see the children and their needs as most important. They have had special Open Houses just for us, and I am most grateful.

      To help our displaced teachers, Lisa Hoban and I are reaching out to schools to help them in their transition. The Parish Leadership Councils proposed a plan to pursue a fundraising campaign to provide severance for our teachers and staff. This has been approved. A parishioner has stepped forward to head this effort. I am most grateful. More information and details will be coming soon.

       I am very grateful to the Parents and Parishioners that began and supported the Save SMS movement. Their passion, courage and resolve have been an inspiration to me. They brought the community together to pray and to rally support for the school. They told me that they wanted to be able to say to their children they did all they could do to save St. Monica's school. They did, and I am grateful to them. However, this movement does not need to end with my decision. I hope that this energy and enthusiasm will carry over into our school to ensure that these last months are the best months for the children of St. Monica School.

      To the Parish Community, I hope this season of Lent is a time of prayer and healing. Please remember the words that you and I heard on Ash Wednesday and were repeated in yesterday's Gospel.

      Repent and believe in the Gospel. Remember that to repent is to change direction. I said on Ash Wednesday that I know I need to change direction. I am tired of being sad, upset and angry. I want to change. I need to change. The way to change is the Gospel, the Good News.

      May we all use Lent to grow into a Oneness with one another and a Oneness with Jesus.

      HAPPY LENT!

(Rev.) William A. Trader
Pastor