A new catholic high school in Racine just opened its doors, but it doesn't have the blessing of the Milwaukee Archdiocese. The Milwaukee Archdiocese says there already is another catholic high school in Racine to serve the community. The Archdiocese believes a dwindling number of students in catholic private schools makes it unwise for another one to open.Fox6(video there)
St. John Fisher Academy Founder Dave Toma-Shevitz said, "What we wanted to do is provide a classic catholic education for parents of Racine, and in the entire state, with the opportunity to have an education in the catholic traditions without huge tuition payments." [SOLD! Where do I sign up!]
The school is without the support of the Milwaukee Archdiocese and is getting no financial or religious support.
Clergy is not allowed to celebrate mass, administer the sacraments, or support the school in any way. [besides the frightening grammatical errors, doesn't this seem a bit harsh? support in any way?] The Racine school says it is operating in the catholic tradition and still trying to work towards approval from the Archbishop to become a sanctioned catholic school.
There is a meeting on September 23rd the school says the Archdiocese asked them to attend. They are not sure what will happen there, but the school says it's willing to talk.
St. John Fisher Academy is on Facebook.
5 comments:
This is a great idea. There has to be a market for authentically Catholic schools that don't cost $10,000 a year to attend.
Brian
At a conference in Milwaukee in 2009, I heard Bishop Callahan (then auxiliary-bishop and newly appointed administrator in Milw.) speak about the Church's supporting parents in their right to choose the education that best fits their family. Of course this comment was tied into the School Choice/voucher program. But, in effect, it also means that the Church should be supporting the parents choosing to send their children to St. John Fisher Academy. If the 'Arch-diocesan supported' high school in Racine does not provide a classical model of education yet some parents choose that for their children, the Archdiocese really should be supportive of them.
Agreed Brian.
Very interesting Cheryl, I totally agree with your take. Funny how church politics can muddy the waters when it comes to supporting something good.
Let's put it this way: if St Kate's (the A'dcn HS in Racine) is anything like Pius XI (a counterpart in Milwaukee), then by licit and rigorous interpretation of English and Canon Law, St Kate's should not be allowed to use the term "Catholic" in its masthead.
Just sayin'...
Why the people who are running St. John Fisher didn't locate in an area already without a Catholic high school, say in Janesville or Beloit, is beyond me. Just dumb to do it Racine, which has St. Catherine's High School.
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