Gary's last Catholic school shuts

The Chicago Sun-Times ^ | June 7, 2003 | Staff

[7 x 77]

The last Roman Catholic school in Gary has closed for good because of declining enrollment. "I'm about to cry," said Alicia McClarin, a seventh-grader at Blessed Sacrament School, where Thursday was the final day of classes. "I've been here for seven years. I didn't think it would ever close." Along with the church it's a part of, the school was once home to northwestern Indiana's thriving Polish population. The parish built the school in 1960. "It is a nationwide trend, not having enough students," said Gary Bishop Dale Melczek.

[7 x 77]

I bet at one time there were over 50.

[George from New England]

All this because the NEA and politicians have been dragging and slowing progress on the voucher issue.

As long as they can delay vouchers the more cities and states that will go this way.

The parents cannot support both the public school system through ever increasing taxes and continue to have $$$ left over for the private ones they want their kids to go to.

[dennisw]

Steel made that school and as United States steel was unmade so was the Catholic school system.

[doug from upland]

This is funny. I looked at the article and thought it said "Gary's last Catholic school sluts." My first thought was that it was about Gary Condit. I went to the website to see why in the world they would put the word "sluts" in it. Of course, Catholic girls sometimes tend to be sluts because they can go to confession and can be forgiven. I guess for me it must have just been some Freudian thing.

[Hacksaw]

I find this amazing. My home town of Wheeling WV (hardly a bustling metropolis) has at least 5 Catholic grade schools. Maybe the poverty level has to do with it. Every time I drove through Gary on the way to Chi, I thought "what a hell hole".

[sinkspur]

It is a nationwide trend, not having enough students," said Gary Bishop Dale Melczek.

Not here, bishop. A second Catholic grade school is being considered for the DFW mid-cities, the first one (Holy Trinity) having opened just six years ago and it's already turning away students in large numbers.

There's also a Catholic High School being talked about, but that's further down the road.

[7 x 77]

Of course, Catholic girls sometimes tend to be sluts because they can go to confession and can be forgiven.

You need to educate yourself on Catholicism if your going to speak about it:

1) A tiny number of people go to confession.

2) These days most "Catholic" girls are loose, as are most American girls, though serious young Catholics are more chaste than the general population.

3) Prior to the 60's, when the large majority of young Catholics were chaste, they also went to confession.

[sinkspur]

Of course, Catholic girls sometimes tend to be sluts because they can go to confession and can be forgiven. It must have been a Freudian thing.

More likely, it was a gratuitous Catholic-bashing thing, for which you, of all people, should be ashamed.

[7 x 77]

Maybe the poverty level has to do with it. Every time I drove through Gary on the way to Chi, I thought "what a hell hole".

It must have something to do with the fact that the overwhelming percentage of Gary citizens are now black and the diocese doesn't have many rich parishes. The Chicago Catholic schools in black neighborhoods serving the children of non-Catholics are heavily subsidized by the wealthy parishes.

[Bigg Red]

Any particular reason you feel inclined to insult Catholics today?

[willowpar]

Catholic girls sometimes tend to be sluts because they can go to confession and can be forgiven. I guess for me it must have just been some Freudian thing.

Freudian thing? No, just your typical anti-Catholic "jerk" type of thing.

[7 x 77]

Not here, bishop. A second Catholic grade school is being considered for the DFW mid-cities, the first one (Holy Trinity) having opened just six years ago and it's already turning away students in large numbers.

To be fair, you guys down in Dallas-Fort Worth didn't use to have many Catholics, so now that you've had a large influx of them you need some schools. If its more than that and the Spirit is uncommonly manifest down there, I'd be happy to hear it.

[Republic If You Can Keep It]

The parents cannot support both

True enough.

Ironic, isn't it, that the schools that CAN'T do the job (public) are forcing those that CAN (private) out of business.

We need vouchers more than ever before.

[7 x 77]

All this because the NEA and politicians have been dragging and slowing progress on the voucher issue. As long as they can delay vouchers the more cities and states that will go this way.

The once great Catholic school system is slipping through our country's fingers. No where in the world have Catholics ever built such a widespead and fine system.

[nwrep]

No where in the world have Catholics ever built such a widespead and fine system.

Yes they have. In India. Catholic run (Jesuit) schools in large cities in India are on par with the best private schools here.

[7 x 77]

Nowhere in the world have Catholics ever built such a widespead and fine system.

Yes they have. In India. Catholic run (Jesuit) schools in large cities in India are on par with the best private schools here.

From the 1920's through the mid-1960's, the breadth and depth of the Catholic schools system in the United States dwarfed any Catholic system that ever existed, including India's.

[nwrep]

From the 1920's through the mid-1960's, the breadth and depth of the Catholic schools system in the United States dwarfed any Catholic system that ever existed, including India's.

Thanks for the info. It is a tragedy that they have been allowed to deteriorate over the last few decades. I think the establishment of the Dept. of Education by Carter was the single biggest blow to American education.

[jlogajan]

Wow, five posts in and the Catholic bashing has already started.