News

GRACE comments from individuals, parishes compiled

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

Related articles: from Dec. 9, 2005 issue: • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik --     Bridging the Gap: G-R-A-C-E     This is a time for exploration and for collaboration from Nov. 25, 2005 issue: • Plan released for unified Green Bay system     Proposal would close three schools, consolidate two     and form one K-8 school system     Sidebar: Green Bay school proposal     Sidebar: Schedule for action from Nov. 4, 2005 issue: • Release delayed on school planning report     Proposal for consolidating the Green Bay area schools     into a system due after Thanksgiving from Sept. 2, 2005 issue: • GRACE subcommittees form     Proposed plan for a unified Green Bay Catholic school     system continues to advance from July 8, 2005 issue: • Unified Green Bay Catholic school system under study     No decisions have been made from June 24, 2005 issue: • Groups ponder schools' future     Proposal considers ways to guarantee the financial     solvency of Catholic schools

The results of a questionnaire/survey sent to all the parishes involved in a proposal for a unified Green Bay Catholic school education system (GRACE) have been compiled. The results show there is room for work.

Most parishioners in the 23 parishes affected do not support the proposal as presented. Nearly two-thirds - 62.7% - of the 2,723 people who answered the survey said they were "unable to support" the various GRACE proposals as they are now. Another 15.4% supported the proposals "with reservations." And 22.3% support the proposals as they stand.

However, whatever their level of support, most respondents agreed with the basic GRACE ideas that all local parishes should contribute to the support of Catholic schools and that something needs to be done to deal with the costs of Catholic education in the area.

The results of the survey - conducted in late November and December - are scheduled to be forwarded to the diocesan consultative bodies.

Mark Mogilka, director for diocesan Stewardship and Pastoral Services, who serves as the diocesan resource person for GRACE, presented the summary of the survey to GRACE parish representatives on Jan. 3. He was scheduled to submit the summary to the GRACE steering committee on Jan. 4.

Dcn. Tim Reilly, diocesan vicar for administration, was scheduled to present the GRACE proposal and survey results on Saturday, Jan. 7, to the Diocesan Pastoral Council. And the proposal and survey response will be reviewed Jan. 10 by the diocesan Presbyteral Council. The diocesan Board of Education will also review the results on Jan. 10.

Each committee will forward their advice to Bp. David Zubik, who is expected to announce his plans for GRACE (Green Bay Regional Association of Catholic Education) by Feb. 1.

The original diocesan planning process for schools throughout the diocese, initiated in January 2005, called for a plan for the Green Bay area to be implemented by the 2006-2007 school year. That is the current timeline the diocese and GRACE are operating under.

The GRACE proposal, which deals with all areas of education - from curriculum to funding to staffing - also presented specific plans to consolidate some schools and close others. GRACE includes 13 schools and 23 parishes. It covers 2,363 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The schools involved are Resurrection and St. Matthew, both in Allouez; Holy Cross, Bay Settlement; Our Lady of Lourdes and Notre Dame, both in De Pere; St. John the Baptist, Howard; and Holy Family, Prince of Peace, St. Bernard, St. Joseph, St. Philip, St. Thomas More, and Trinity, all in Green Bay.

While these proposals were originally surfaced after consultation with all area parishes and schools, there has been opposition to the proposal to close certain schools. A candle-light vigil was planned for the diocesan office on the evening of Jan. 4, to protest school closings.

The specific plan currently proposes:

• Consolidation of Resurrection and St. Matthew parishes in Allouez (Green Bay) into one school with two sites;

• The closing of Holy Cross School in Bay Settlement and St. Joseph and St. Philip Schools in Green Bay;

• Prince of Peace School, now a pre-K to grade 5 school, to eliminate grade 5;

• St. Bernard and St. Thomas More on the east side having pre-K through eighth grade;

• Holy Family and Trinity (Annunciation site) on the west side having pre-K through eighth grade;

• St. John in Howard and Our Lady of Lourdes in De Pere having pre-K through eighth grade; and

• Notre Dame in De Pere continuing to have two campuses for pre-K through fourth and grades 5-8.

The survey reveals affirmation for the consolidation of resources for cost savings; that all parishes should provide financial support for schools; and that a consolidated system like GRACE will improve Catholic education and assure Catholic education into the future.

The main concerns revealed focus on wanting all the current Catholic schools to remain open; that the proposed 40% of each parish's budget going to Catholic schools is too high; and that there should be more time for discussion before implementing any plan.

Results of the survey asking parish members for feedback, broken down by parish and their support or reservations follow:

• Support the GRACE proposal as is: Annunciation Parish, St. Bernard Parish and St. Mary Parish in Green Bay;

• Support the GRACE proposal with reservations: Our Lady of Lourdes, De Pere; Prince of Peace; Resurrection (Allouez); SS Peter & Paul; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; St. Francis Xavier Cathedral; St. Francis, De Pere; St. John the Baptist, Howard; St. Joseph; St. Jude; and St. Mary, De Pere.

• Unable to support the GRACE proposal: Holy Cross, Bay Settlement; Nativity Parish (Ashwaubenon); St. Agnes Parish; St. John the Evangelist; St. Matthew Parish (Allouez); St. Patrick Parish; St. Philip the Apostle Parish and St. Willebrord Parish. (St. Norbert College Parish (Old St. Joe's), De Pere, also responded to the survey as unable to support the GRACE proposal).

The entire GRACE proposal can be found at the diocesan web site at www.gbdioc.org.