St. Mary's Church Rosenhayn, NJ Remarks of Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D. Bishop of Camden Press Briefing February 6, 2007 http://www.faithinthefutureschools.org/cluster_announce.htm Last month, I announced that the Diocese of Camden was embarking on a comprehensive planning initiative with the People of the Diocese to strengthen parish life and Catholic School education in the six southern counties of New Jersey. This two-pronged planning initiative will involve two distinct processes, one for parish planning, which has the theme "Gathering God's Gifts, and one for school planning, which has the theme "Faith in the Future." Today, we will focus on school planning. In undertaking this school planning process, we hope to address the realities facing our schools while laying the foundation for the long-term stability of Catholic school education and the unique learning opportunity it affords our children. These realities include schools that have experienced shifting populations, declining enrollment, enrollments well below the 225 normally considered necessary to sustain a K-8 single-graded school, fiscal deficits, and an over-reliance on parish subsidies. Rather than planning in isolation, school planning teams have been meeting in clusters, sharing and reviewing demographic information, financial data, enrollment trends and facilities information with other schools in their area to arrive at recommendations that will best address the realities in each cluster. The 52 elementary schools have been grouped into 12 clusters. Representatives from each school in the cluster have joined together to form steering committees that will develop recommendations on how to strengthen and best provide Catholic school education in the cluster. Eight clusters, which are just now beginning their planning process, will submit their recommendations to me for review by June 2007. Once decisions are reached, plans for these eight clusters will be implemented by September 2008. Four other clusters reviewed data this past fall and submitted their recommendations to me last month for review and a final decision. The decisions for the first four clusters are being announced today and will be implemented by September 2007. I first of all want to thank the steering committees for their hard work, insight and dedication during this important process of consultation, as well as our pastors and principals and others who worked to ensure a successful process. In some cases, the decisions I have made go further than the recommendations made by our school steering committees. I have carefully considered the committee recommendations, but ultimately had to consider whether they adequately address the demographic, enrollment, financial and other realities in the clusters, whether the recommendations present long-term solutions to the challenges facing Catholic school education in the cluster, and whether the recommendations are likely to meet the needs of school families in each cluster area. Following a period of review with my advisors and having considered carefully the recommendations submitted by each of the cluster steering committees, as well as having personally heard from parents, principals, pastors and committee members alike, I have concluded that in order to address current realities and to strengthen Catholic school education in the diocese, it will be necessary for two schools to close and for four schools to consolidate with neighboring schools: • In Cluster 7 , which consists of four schools: Most Holy Redeemer, Westville Grove, St. Margaret, Woodbury Heights, St. Patrick, Woodbury and St. Matthew, National Park: It will be necessary to consolidate St. Matthew School, St. Patrick School, and Most Holy Redeemer into one newly-named school at the end of the 2006-2007 school year. The consolidated school, which will have a new school board with representation from each school, will be located at the school campus in Westville Grove. St. Margaret will remain as is. In addition, I am directing that an advancement program designed to strengthen marketing and fundraising begin at the newly-named, consolidated school and at St. Margaret School. The Cluster 7 steering committee, it must be noted, recommended that Saint Matthew School should consolidate with Most Holy Redeemer, but did not include St. Patrick School in its consolidation recommendation. However, a significant number of committee members felt that St. Patrick School should also be part of the consolidation. The unfortunate reality is that there has been a long-term decline in enrollment at all three schools, deficits have resulted at all three schools from significant under-enrollment even after the parish subsidy, significant percentages of parish funds have gone toward the subsidy of each of the three schools, and the number of incoming Kindergarten students is insufficient to replace graduating 8 th graders. In the interest of the common good, and with the objective of strengthening Catholic school education for the entire cluster, a consolidation of all three schools is necessary. Efforts will be made by the diocese to assist every student in enrolling in the new consolidated school or in another Catholic school in the area. If there are more students than can be accommodated by the facilities at St. Margarets in Woodbury Heights and Most Holy Redeemer in Westville Grove, students will be accommodated at the St. Patrick's school facility in Woodbury, which will function as a satellite campus to the main campus at Most Holy Redeemer, Westville Grove. In the months ahead, the diocese will explore the need to expand the facility at Most Holy Redeemer, which is the best suited of the three sites for possible expansion, and how best to accommodate students in the consolidated school. • In Cluster 9 , which consists of six schools: Immaculate Conception, Bridgeton, Notre Dame Regional, Newfield, Sacred Heart/St. Isidore Regional, Vineland; St. Francis of Assisi, Vineland, St. Mary, East Vineland and St. Mary Magdalene, Millville: It will be necessary to close Immaculate Conception at the end of the 2006-2007 school year and to consolidate Sacred Heart and St. Francis at Sacred Heart. The consolidated school will be located at Sacred Heart and will be renamed Sacred Heart Regional Elementary School since this facility can accommodate the enrollment of both schools. In addition, I am directing that an advancement program designed to strengthen marketing and fundraising begin at the consolidated school, which will have a new consultative school board with representation from each school. Some members of the steering committee, it must be noted, felt that these changes were not necessary. However, given the long-term decline in enrollment at the schools, the deficits that have resulted from significant under-enrollment, the high percentage of parish funds that have subsidized the schools, and that the number of students entering Kindergarten will be insufficient to offset the number of 8 th graders who will graduate, the prospect of a turnaround for each of the schools, unfortunately, is not likely. Therefore, in the face of this reality, in the interest of the common good, and with the objective of strengthening Catholic school education for the entire cluster, the closing of Immaculate Conception and the consolidation Sacred Heart and St. Francis is necessary. • In Cluster 10 , which consists of four schools: Bishop McHugh Regional School, Cape May Court House, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Cape May, St. Ann, Wildwood and St. Raymond, Villas: I have accepted the recommendation of the steering committee to consolidate St. Raymond and Our Lady Star of the Sea at Our Lady Star of the Sea, which will be known as Our Lady Star of the Sea Regional School. New, consultative school boards will be created at St. Ann, Bishop McHugh and Our Lady Star of the Sea and will include representation from sending schools. In addition, I am directing that advancement programs designed to strengthen marketing and fundraising begin at St. Ann, Bishop McHugh and Our Lady Star of the Sea. The decision to consolidate St. Raymond School with Our Lady Star of the Sea School is based on the unfortunate reality that there has been a long-term decline in enrollment at both schools, a deficit at St. Raymond School even after parish subsidy, a high percentage of parish funds being used to subsidize St. Raymond School (40 percent), and the number of incoming Kindergarten students is insufficient to replace graduating 8 th graders (10 at Our Lady Star of the Sea and 11 at Saint Raymond). In the interest of the common good, and with the objective of strengthening Catholic school education for the entire cluster, the consolidation is necessary. • In Cluster 12 , which consists of three schools: Assumption, Pomona, St. Nicholas, Egg Harbor City and Saint Vincent de Paul, Mays Landing, It will be necessary to close St. Nicholas school at the end of the 2006-2007 school year. New, consultative school boards will be created at Assumption and St. Vincent de Paul that will include representation from sending schools in the cluster. In addition, I am directing that advancement programs designed to strengthen marketing and fundraising must begin at Assumption and St. Vincent de Paul. The Cluster 12 steering committee, it must be noted, felt strongly that Saint Nicholas School should not close, but should be given more time to implement marketing and institutional advancement initiatives. However, given the long-term decline in enrollment at Saint Nicholas (from 148 in 2002 to 114 this year), given the deficits that have resulted from significant under-enrollment ($63,000 last year even after the parish subsidy), the unusually high percentage of parish funds that have gone toward the subsidy of the school (40 percent of parish ordinary income), and given the number of incoming students to replace graduating 8 th graders (kindergarten enrollment is only 12 students), the prospect of a turnaround is, unfortunately, highly unlikely. Therefore, in the face of this reality, in the interest of the common good, and with the objective of strengthening Catholic school education for the entire cluster, closure of St. Nicholas is necessary. As we implement these decisions over the next several months, every effort will be made by the Catholic Schools Office of the diocese to assist every student in enrolling in the consolidated schools or in other Catholic schools. I know that it is difficult to for any student to have his or her stay at a school interrupted, even when the reasons for it are clear and compelling. We will do our best to ease this burden on affected school families. To assist parents in coping with the emotional challenges that accompany change of this kind, a Day of Reflection is being planned by the diocese in mid-February, the details of which will be provided to families in the near future. Our schools office also will be working with families in the weeks ahead to ease the transition, to provide further details on enrollment procedures, busing and to provide answers to questions parents will have. I also know the impact these decisions will have on our teachers and school staffs, which have been so important to the success of our educational efforts and whose well-being concerns us all. We will work to assist teachers and staff in finding positions in the diocese. For those we cannot place, we will offer an assistance package to aid them during their transition to new employment. Today's decisions, of course, are not the end of the planning process. I also want to emphasize that our planning processes for the remaining eight clusters of schools and all of our parishes are now just getting underway. We do not yet know the outcomes, but we trust the process we have in place to provide us with important input that will allow us to make informed decisions that will be best for the Catholic people of South Jersey. I want to emphasize as well that the outcomes will involve more than closures or consolidation. In some areas of the diocese, where there is new growth and where facilities are lacking, this may mean the need for new facilities, as is currently the case in Cluster 12, where, in about a year's time, Assumption Parish in Pomona will open a new school to welcome upwards of 500 students for the 2007-08 school year. A short time after that, a new Assumption Church, with seating for 1,500 people, is expected to open its doors to welcome parishioners. Also, as I announced last month, this reconfiguration of schools is the prelude to a larger planning initiative that will bring improvements and enhancements to our schools. As you know, we intend to introduce a new funding model for Catholic elementary schools in this diocese. The new model will be introduced over a three-year period beginning in 2009-2010, replacing parish subsidies to schools with cost-based tuition and needs-based tuition assistance, with the tuition assistance fund supported by parishes. This new model will bring our schools greater fiscal health while keeping tuition affordable for families who wish to choose Catholic schools for their children. In addition to uniform tuition rates, the schools will adopt a policy of open enrollment, facilities and curriculum will be enhanced, and faculty compensation improved. The new model will also provide for increased levels of marketing and institutional advancement and an increased role of the laity in decision-making for the schools. And, of course, with parish planning, there are numerous possible outcomes that will rely on the creativity and expertise of planning teams whose recommendations will be carefully weighed as decisions are made. As proud as I am of the process we have established for planning, some, whose disappointment will be great, may question the process or the data, or the manner in which conclusions are reached, and the decisions themselves, and this is to be expected, However, as John Henry Newman, the 19 th century churchman once said, "Nothing would be done at all if one waited until one could do it so well that no one could find fault with it." Some will ask, "Why now? With more time, maybe things will improve." As Newman also said, "Let us take things as we find them: let us not attempt to distort them into what they are not... We cannot make facts. All our wishing cannot change them. We must use them. Let us act on what we have…" I myself am a product of Catholic schools and, for me, they hold a special place of importance in my own life and in my own faith formation. Indeed, they hold a special place in the mission and life of the Church. That is why these are such difficult decisions&emdash;for me to make as the Bishop of this diocese, and for everyone involved. As I have weighed these difficult decisions, I have considered the realities and the facts that are before us. I cannot wish them away but act on what we have. The time to act&emdash;and to act decisively&emdash;is now. Of course, change is difficult. It can be painful. We will grieve and feel a sense of loss. But I think that grief will recede with the recognition that change is necessary if we are to grow. To quote Newman again, he said, "To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often." During this time of change for our diocese, I thank everyone for their faithful support of Catholic schools. I am grateful for the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that has been shown by committee members, parents, faculty and staff. I know that it has contributed greatly to decisions that will help strengthen the foundation of Catholic school education and revitalize it for future generations. I am confident that our parish planning process that is also underway will revitalize our parishes, imbue them with fresh energy and ready us for the challenges of the future. Guiding us throughout all of this is our Diocesan Vision statement, which was promulgated last year. In our planning, we are together striving to grow ever more into dynamic communities of faith, hope and love, wherein we reveal the mind and heart of Jesus through our actions and worship. As we embark on this challenging and exciting journey, I firmly believe that we will, with God's grace, grow, adapt, and experience new life. Thank you. Back to Pastoral Planning Home

St. Mary's Church

Rosenhayn, NJ

Remarks of Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D. Bishop of Camden

Press Briefing

February 6, 2007

http://www.faithinthefutureschools.org/cluster_announce.htm

Last month, I announced that the Diocese of Camden was embarking on a comprehensive planning initiative with the People of the Diocese to strengthen parish life and Catholic School education in the six southern counties of New Jersey.

This two-pronged planning initiative will involve two distinct processes, one for parish planning, which has the theme "Gathering God's Gifts, and one for school planning, which has the theme "Faith in the Future." Today, we will focus on school planning.

In undertaking this school planning process, we hope to address the realities facing our schools while laying the foundation for the long-term stability of Catholic school education and the unique learning opportunity it affords our children. These realities include schools that have experienced shifting populations, declining enrollment, enrollments well below the 225 normally considered necessary to sustain a K-8 single-graded school, fiscal deficits, and an over-reliance on parish subsidies.

Rather than planning in isolation, school planning teams have been meeting in clusters, sharing and reviewing demographic information, financial data, enrollment trends and facilities information with other schools in their area to arrive at recommendations that will best address the realities in each cluster. The 52 elementary schools have been grouped into 12 clusters. Representatives from each school in the cluster have joined together to form steering committees that will develop recommendations on how to strengthen and best provide Catholic school education in the cluster.

Eight clusters, which are just now beginning their planning process, will submit their recommendations to me for review by June 2007. Once decisions are reached, plans for these eight clusters will be implemented by September 2008. Four other clusters reviewed data this past fall and submitted their recommendations to me last month for review and a final decision. The decisions for the first four clusters are being announced today and will be implemented by September 2007.

I first of all want to thank the steering committees for their hard work, insight and dedication during this important process of consultation, as well as our pastors and principals and others who worked to ensure a successful process.

In some cases, the decisions I have made go further than the recommendations made by our school steering committees. I have carefully considered the committee recommendations, but ultimately had to consider whether they adequately address the demographic, enrollment, financial and other realities in the clusters, whether the recommendations present long-term solutions to the challenges facing Catholic school education in the cluster, and whether the recommendations are likely to meet the needs of school families in each cluster area.

Following a period of review with my advisors and having considered carefully the recommendations submitted by each of the cluster steering committees, as well as having personally heard from parents, principals, pastors and committee members alike, I have concluded that in order to address current realities and to strengthen Catholic school education in the diocese, it will be necessary for two schools to close and for four schools to consolidate with neighboring schools:

• In Cluster 7 , which consists of four schools: Most Holy Redeemer, Westville Grove, St. Margaret, Woodbury Heights, St. Patrick, Woodbury and St. Matthew, National Park:

It will be necessary to consolidate St. Matthew School, St. Patrick School, and Most Holy Redeemer into one newly-named school at the end of the 2006-2007 school year. The consolidated school, which will have a new school board with representation from each school, will be located at the school campus in Westville Grove. St. Margaret will remain as is. In addition, I am directing that an advancement program designed to strengthen marketing and fundraising begin at the newly-named, consolidated school and at St. Margaret School.

The Cluster 7 steering committee, it must be noted, recommended that Saint Matthew School should consolidate with Most Holy Redeemer, but did not include St. Patrick School in its consolidation recommendation. However, a significant number of committee members felt that St. Patrick School should also be part of the consolidation. The unfortunate reality is that there has been a long-term decline in enrollment at all three schools, deficits have resulted at all three schools from significant under-enrollment even after the parish subsidy, significant percentages of parish funds have gone toward the subsidy of each of the three schools, and the number of incoming Kindergarten students is insufficient to replace graduating 8 th graders. In the interest of the common good, and with the objective of strengthening Catholic school education for the entire cluster, a consolidation of all three schools is necessary.

Efforts will be made by the diocese to assist every student in enrolling in the new consolidated school or in another Catholic school in the area. If there are more students than can be accommodated by the facilities at St. Margarets in Woodbury Heights and Most Holy Redeemer in Westville Grove, students will be accommodated at the St. Patrick's school facility in Woodbury, which will function as a satellite campus to the main campus at Most Holy Redeemer, Westville Grove. In the months ahead, the diocese will explore the need to expand the facility at Most Holy Redeemer, which is the best suited of the three sites for possible expansion, and how best to accommodate students in the consolidated school.

• In Cluster 9 , which consists of six schools: Immaculate Conception, Bridgeton, Notre Dame Regional, Newfield, Sacred Heart/St. Isidore Regional, Vineland; St. Francis of Assisi, Vineland, St. Mary, East Vineland and St. Mary Magdalene, Millville:

It will be necessary to close Immaculate Conception at the end of the 2006-2007 school year and to consolidate Sacred Heart and St. Francis at Sacred Heart. The consolidated school will be located at Sacred Heart and will be renamed Sacred Heart Regional Elementary School since this facility can accommodate the enrollment of both schools. In addition, I am directing that an advancement program designed to strengthen marketing and fundraising begin at the consolidated school, which will have a new consultative school board with representation from each school.

Some members of the steering committee, it must be noted, felt that these changes were not necessary. However, given the long-term decline in enrollment at the schools, the deficits that have resulted from significant under-enrollment, the high percentage of parish funds that have subsidized the schools, and that the number of students entering Kindergarten will be insufficient to offset the number of 8 th graders who will graduate, the prospect of a turnaround for each of the schools, unfortunately, is not likely. Therefore, in the face of this reality, in the interest of the common good, and with the objective of strengthening Catholic school education for the entire cluster, the closing of Immaculate Conception and the consolidation Sacred Heart and St. Francis is necessary.

• In Cluster 10 , which consists of four schools: Bishop McHugh Regional School, Cape May Court House, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Cape May, St. Ann, Wildwood and St. Raymond, Villas:

I have accepted the recommendation of the steering committee to consolidate St. Raymond and Our Lady Star of the Sea at Our Lady Star of the Sea, which will be known as Our Lady Star of the Sea Regional School. New, consultative school boards will be created at St. Ann, Bishop McHugh and Our Lady Star of the Sea and will include representation from sending schools. In addition, I am directing that advancement programs designed to strengthen marketing and fundraising begin at St. Ann, Bishop McHugh and Our Lady Star of the Sea.

The decision to consolidate St. Raymond School with Our Lady Star of the Sea School is based on the unfortunate reality that there has been a long-term decline in enrollment at both schools, a deficit at St. Raymond School even after parish subsidy, a high percentage of parish funds being used to subsidize St. Raymond School (40 percent), and the number of incoming Kindergarten students is insufficient to replace graduating 8 th graders (10 at Our Lady Star of the Sea and 11 at Saint Raymond). In the interest of the common good, and with the objective of strengthening Catholic school education for the entire cluster, the consolidation is necessary.

• In Cluster 12 , which consists of three schools: Assumption, Pomona, St. Nicholas, Egg Harbor City and Saint Vincent de Paul, Mays Landing,

It will be necessary to close St. Nicholas school at the end of the 2006-2007 school year. New, consultative school boards will be created at Assumption and St. Vincent de Paul that will include representation from sending schools in the cluster. In addition, I am directing that advancement programs designed to strengthen marketing and fundraising must begin at Assumption and St. Vincent de Paul.

The Cluster 12 steering committee, it must be noted, felt strongly that Saint Nicholas School should not close, but should be given more time to implement marketing and institutional advancement initiatives. However, given the long-term decline in enrollment at Saint Nicholas (from 148 in 2002 to 114 this year), given the deficits that have resulted from significant under-enrollment ($63,000 last year even after the parish subsidy), the unusually high percentage of parish funds that have gone toward the subsidy of the school (40 percent of parish ordinary income), and given the number of incoming students to replace graduating 8 th graders (kindergarten enrollment is only 12 students), the prospect of a turnaround is, unfortunately, highly unlikely. Therefore, in the face of this reality, in the interest of the common good, and with the objective of strengthening Catholic school education for the entire cluster, closure of St. Nicholas is necessary.

As we implement these decisions over the next several months, every effort will be made by the Catholic Schools Office of the diocese to assist every student in enrolling in the consolidated schools or in other Catholic schools. I know that it is difficult to for any student to have his or her stay at a school interrupted, even when the reasons for it are clear and compelling. We will do our best to ease this burden on affected school families. To assist parents in coping with the emotional challenges that accompany change of this kind, a Day of Reflection is being planned by the diocese in mid-February, the details of which will be provided to families in the near future. Our schools office also will be working with families in the weeks ahead to ease the transition, to provide further details on enrollment procedures, busing and to provide answers to questions parents will have.

I also know the impact these decisions will have on our teachers and school staffs, which have been so important to the success of our educational efforts and whose well-being concerns us all. We will work to assist teachers and staff in finding positions in the diocese. For those we cannot place, we will offer an assistance package to aid them during their transition to new employment.

Today's decisions, of course, are not the end of the planning process. I also want to emphasize that our planning processes for the remaining eight clusters of schools and all of our parishes are now just getting underway. We do not yet know the outcomes, but we trust the process we have in place to provide us with important input that will allow us to make informed decisions that will be best for the Catholic people of South Jersey.

I want to emphasize as well that the outcomes will involve more than closures or consolidation. In some areas of the diocese, where there is new growth and where facilities are lacking, this may mean the need for new facilities, as is currently the case in Cluster 12, where, in about a year's time, Assumption Parish in Pomona will open a new school to welcome upwards of 500 students for the 2007-08 school year. A short time after that, a new Assumption Church, with seating for 1,500 people, is expected to open its doors to welcome parishioners.

Also, as I announced last month, this reconfiguration of schools is the prelude to a larger planning initiative that will bring improvements and enhancements to our schools. As you know, we intend to introduce a new funding model for Catholic elementary schools in this diocese. The new model will be introduced over a three-year period beginning in 2009-2010, replacing parish subsidies to schools with cost-based tuition and needs-based tuition assistance, with the tuition assistance fund supported by parishes. This new model will bring our schools greater fiscal health while keeping tuition affordable for families who wish to choose Catholic schools for their children.

In addition to uniform tuition rates, the schools will adopt a policy of open enrollment, facilities and curriculum will be enhanced, and faculty compensation improved. The new model will also provide for increased levels of marketing and institutional advancement and an increased role of the laity in decision-making for the schools. And, of course, with parish planning, there are numerous possible outcomes that will rely on the creativity and expertise of planning teams whose recommendations will be carefully weighed as decisions are made.

As proud as I am of the process we have established for planning, some, whose disappointment will be great, may question the process or the data, or the manner in which conclusions are reached, and the decisions themselves, and this is to be expected, However, as John Henry Newman, the 19 th century churchman once said, "Nothing would be done at all if one waited until one could do it so well that no one could find fault with it." Some will ask, "Why now? With more time, maybe things will improve." As Newman also said, "Let us take things as we find them: let us not attempt to distort them into what they are not... We cannot make facts. All our wishing cannot change them. We must use them. Let us act on what we have…"

I myself am a product of Catholic schools and, for me, they hold a special place of importance in my own life and in my own faith formation. Indeed, they hold a special place in the mission and life of the Church. That is why these are such difficult decisions&emdash;for me to make as the Bishop of this diocese, and for everyone involved. As I have weighed these difficult decisions, I have considered the realities and the facts that are before us. I cannot wish them away but act on what we have. The time to act&emdash;and to act decisively&emdash;is now.

Of course, change is difficult. It can be painful. We will grieve and feel a sense of loss. But I think that grief will recede with the recognition that change is necessary if we are to grow. To quote Newman again, he said, "To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often." During this time of change for our diocese, I thank everyone for their faithful support of Catholic schools. I am grateful for the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that has been shown by committee members, parents, faculty and staff. I know that it has contributed greatly to decisions that will help strengthen the foundation of Catholic school education and revitalize it for future generations. I am confident that our parish planning process that is also underway will revitalize our parishes, imbue them with fresh energy and ready us for the challenges of the future.

Guiding us throughout all of this is our Diocesan Vision statement, which was promulgated last year. In our planning, we are together striving to grow ever more into dynamic communities of faith, hope and love, wherein we reveal the mind and heart of Jesus through our actions and worship. As we embark on this challenging and exciting journey, I firmly believe that we will, with God's grace, grow, adapt, and experience new life.

Thank you.

Back to Pastoral Planning

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