 |
|
| St. Mary School in Platteville, founded in 1935, will close at the end of the current school year. (Contributed photo) |
PLATTEVILLE — Bishop Robert C. Morlino delivered his decision regarding the closure of St. Mary School in Platteville to Fr. Faustino Ruiz, pastor of St. Mary Parish, on Wednesday, April 25, after the scheduled regional celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in Platteville.
In his letter to the parishioners of St. Mary Parish, the bishop accepted “with tremendous sadness” the recommendation of Father Ruiz and the majority vote of the parish finance and pastoral councils to close St. Mary School.
The bishop’s letter reviewed some of the history leading up to the closure of the parish school at the end of this school year, as well as some of the steps taken by the bishop to attempt to keep this from happening, including guaranteeing the school would remain open last year, his offering of weekly prayer and fasting for the school, and assistance from the diocesan Office of Finance. He thankfully acknowledged all who worked so hard to keep St. Mary School open, if possible.
The letter addressed some of the underlying issues that precipitated this lamentable decision and associated sorrow. As Catholics, we profess one faith and one Spirit who guides the Church. Accordingly, attached to the bishop’s letter was a selection of texts for prayerful reflection, from the Second Vatican Council, Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the Code of Canon Law.
These are offered in an attempt to foster “stability, understanding, and healing” in the community, said Bishop Morlino, through increased understanding of how the Church addresses serious matters, such as those with which the parish (parishioners and priests) and diocese are dealing.
While they are, indeed, serious matters and while the closure of a school is extremely sad, the bishop emphasized that “the light of Christ must shine!” Concluding his letter, the bishop asks all involved to forgive, “whatever that takes, and to move forward in faith, hope, and in love.”
The Bishop’s letter to St. Mary parishioners can be read in its entirety on the diocesan Web site, at www.madisondiocese.org