Pastoral Planning Appeal 08 Church Today block
Bishop Herzog's Statement on Catholic Schools
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    Over the last two years there have been two professional studies and multiple consultations concerning the future of Catholic education in the Diocese of Alexandria and, in particular, in the civil parishes of Avoyelles and Rapides. The following pastoral decisions have been taken in light of all the data gathered.

Just Compensation of Professional Personnel in All Catholic Schools

    There have been many statements, including several Papal Encyclicals, stating the teaching of the Catholic Church in the wide variety of areas of Social Justice. Fair and just compensation of employees is one of the foundational elements. Our Catholic Schools must reflect the Church’s teachings. Unfortunately, wages now being paid are near or even below the poverty level in many instances. Justice is a core value of the Church. Therefore, by November 30, 2008:

1) Each school in the Diocese shall present to the Catholic Schools Office for the approval of the Diocesan Bishop a detailed three-year Budget Plan to ensure that salaries of the professional staff are increased to at least 50% of the difference between present salary and 80% of the public school salary in the civil Parish over the next three years. This salary policy is for all professional staff, religious or lay.

2) Each school must have and adhere to a published salary scale that includes stepped increases for years of service coordinated with the public school scale for the civil Parish in which the school is located. This may pose a challenge for some schools, but this is a matter of justice, not charity.

Pastoral Determinations for Avoyelles Parish

    The Feasibility Study recommended the relocation of St. Joseph High School in Plaucheville to a more central location and its establishment as a diocesan high school. Our professional consultants raised concerns about the ability to raise the money necessary. The need for a new school is important enough to allow those who would benefit to have the opportunity to make the financial contributions necessary. There are many who have expressed confidence that such support will be forthcoming. With confidence that the faith and self-reliance that has built the past will build the future, the following steps are being taken:

1) A Planning Advisory Committee will be appointed to accomplish the following goals:
    a) To explore possible location for a new facility as a diocesan high school
    b) To begin the process of the selection of an architect to develop preliminary plans

2) A Development Committee will be appointed to begin the solicitation of gifts and pledges for the new facility as a diocesan high school.

3) Obtain the commitment of parents to enroll their children once the school has been completed.

Pastoral Determinations for Rapides Parish

    There were two separate but related issues concerning the schools in Rapides Parish. One was related to Holy Savior Menard High School, the other to the question of elementary formation, now consisting of three parish schools.

Holy Savior Menard

    The recommendation of the Feasibility Study was to conduct a capital campaign to raise $2,000,000 for needed repairs and improvements. Upon more in-depth examination, major concerns about the air conditioning system, outdated labs and the need to provide separate facilities for the junior high students also surfaced. Consequently, the following steps are being taken:

1) Establish a Study Committee to identify the needs of the school.

2) Select an architect to address these needs and determine costs.

3) Explore the possibility of a new building on campus for 7-8 grades.

4) Organize and conduct a capital campaign to address these needs. The needs are urgent and, therefore, it is important to proceed as quickly as possible. However, the only way this can be accomplished is by the generous support of the community served by Holy Savior Menard.

Elementary Schools

    The Feasibility Study suggested two alternatives. The first was to consolidate at least St. Rita and St. Frances Cabrini School. The second was to conduct a capital campaign for the construction of a new facility to serve the needs of all elementary students.

    The first alternative would be accomplished by relocating students of both schools at the present location of St. Rita for the next school year while a detailed assessment of the facilities at St. Frances Cabrini could be evaluated as a possible permanent location for the consolidated school.

    Although the consolidation of two schools has some distinct advantages that would reduce costs and the duplication of services as well as offer increased opportunities for enhanced programs, the proposal as presented presents some significant concerns. The ability to accomplish the first move in time for next school year is problematic. Acquiring textbooks, etc. (different ones are now in use in the two schools), adapting the buildings, resolving funding, staff, and organizational issues would not be easy in the time frame available. Perhaps the most important concern is the effect such moves would create for the students. Moving from location to location creates more uncertainty than has existed over the past several years.

    The construction of a new elementary school is not feasible now. There are several parish-level capital campaigns that are either in process or recently completed in addition to the capital campaign needed for the improvements at Holy Savior Menard.

The following steps are being taken:

1) For the immediate future all three elementary schools will continue, provided they can meet the salary requirements outlined above.

2) Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, the elementary schools in Rapides Parish may include only grades Pre-K through 6th. Seventh and Eighth grades will all be located at Holy Savior/Menard.

3) Initial steps for the possible construction of a new elementary school will begin.
    a) An Advisory Council will be appointed to locate a suitable location.
    b) The process of architect selection to begin preliminary design will be undertaken.
    c) Organization for a possible capital campaign to fund the school will begin.

4) Re-examine the possibility of consolidation if a new school becomes possible.

    Much thought and prayer has been involved in assessing the results of the Feasibility Study. Unfortunately, much unnecessary anxiety and turmoil has been created by untimely and unauthorized statements and comments. The goals outlined above will not meet with universal approval or resolve all concerns, but they do offer a direction for the future of our Catholic Schools that we can pursue. I urge all to work together so that these goals can be accomplished for the benefit of the formation of our students.
Deacon Martin Laird to be ordained May 24
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Martin-Laird2.jpgDeacon Martin Laird, son of Dr. and Mrs. Palmer J. Texada of Alexandria, will be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on Saturday, May 24 by the Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog, Bishop of Alexandria.

The ordination ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria.

Father Martin Laird will celebrate his First Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, May 25 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Alexandria.

Read more about it here...
Retreat with Catholic author Robin Hebert, May 14
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Robin-Hebert.jpgRobin Hebert will speak Wednesday, May 14 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on “A Day with Mary and Martha: Exploring the Better Part,” as part of Maryhill's Catholic Author Retreat Series. The series will be offered from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. For reservations, call 640-1378.

Read more about it here...
Office of Worship to present Liturgical Lector Formation
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The Office of Worship will present a Liturgical Lector Formation program in all four deaneries beginning in March.

The first formation meeting will be held Monday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Alexandria.

Other meetings to follow include Monday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Edward in Tallulah; Monday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Anthony in Bunkie; and Tuesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist in Cloutierville.

Facilitators and speakers include Bishop Ronald Herzog, DD; Father Rick Gremillion and Tom Webb.

For more information, call Father Jose Robles Sanchez at 318-445-4588 or Father Rick Gremillion at 445-6424 x 226.

FIRE! Ministries, Wednesday, May 28
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All students in grades 6-12 as well as young adults ages 18-25 are invited to attend the Fire! Youth Ministries every month at the Coughlin Saunders Performing Arts Center in Alexandria from 6:30 -8:30 p.m. 

Come and experience an awesome night of great live music, anointed, relevant preaching of God’s word, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  Admission is $5.

New initiates for 2008
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Catechumens and candidates from around the diocese were initiated into full communion with the Catholic Church this Easter. Click here to view the photo gallery.
Sister Jane from Kenya
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sister-jane.jpgJust when you think you’ve learned everything about a topic from reading about it in books or researching it on the Internet, somebody throws in something like an “international mentoring program.” 

Just ask Sister Jane Gititi, a Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word for the past nine years, and is from Kenya, Africa.

Sister Jane is currently living in Alexandria at Nazareth Convent with Sisters Jackie Driscoll and Ann Brangan and is working in the business Office at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. Experiencing international culture is a large part of the mission of the world-wide congregation.

Read more about Sister Jane...
 
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With roots going back to the 17th century, the Diocese of Alexandria has always looked for new ways to minister to its community. The parishes and missions of the Diocese reach from Tallulah to Powhatan to Plaucheville, and they offer their parishioners a common place for spiritual growth and fellowship. The Diocese is also active with its many ministries, reaching out to all age and ethnic groups.

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