[StBernard] The Archdiocese

[Westley Annis]

We find it frustrating as St. Bernard Catholics that Fr. Maestri 
announced last fall that basically St. Bernard was too unsafe and then 
was quoted in the TP (and I wished I had saved it so I could quote 
verbatim) that with regards to Hannan High, the Archdiocese would have 
to see a poplulation returning (which they didn't) and this I remember 
distinctly,and to rebuild HHS would require "support from the business 
community".  We remember it because we asked what the business 
community had to do with recovering our only Catholic high school. And 
since the Archdiocese considered only closing the school permanently or 
moving it to their property in Goodbee, alas, we find HHS starting up 
next fall on the Northshore, never to return to St. Bernard once they 
invest in building in Goodbee. Of course there is a demand for more 
private schools in St. Tammany parish and it will be an instant 
financial success there.

Then in the TP on 3/23/06 we read that the same Fr. Maestri, on behalf 
of the Archdiocese, with regards to re-opening St. Mary's Academy at 
St. James the Major parish buildings in Gentilly, "We need to give 
families a reason to come back to the city...".  No questioning safety, 
no questioning what population is there now to support a private 
education, NO COMMENT ABOUT NEEDING THE SUPPORT OF THE GENTILLY 
BUSINESS COMMUNITY. Never mind that St. Mary's, like St. Aug and Xavier 
Prep, are all NON-ARCHDIOCESE owned schools.  Figure out the common 
denominator.

So while the Archdiocese concentrates on schools that are owned 
privately by religious orders, we lost our only Catholic high school 
and the Catholics of St. Bernard are dependent on the generosity of 
people in other states and the donations of services by local 
businesses with regards to restoring even one church and school. And I 
don't count Catholic Charities giving out food and mental counseling as 
being on par.

The fiasco happening at St. Augustine Parish which has been closed as a 
parish by the Archdiocese is a reflection of the flock's frustration 
with leadership. Lucky for Maestri the St. Bernard Catholics have 
submitted to the will of the Church quietly and obediently regarding 
our churches and schools. I have sent several emails to their website 
and have yet to get a phone call or reply email.   God hears me, but 
the Archdiocese turns a deaf ear. We just hope our offerings in the 
collection basket are staying in St. Bernard and not going to privately 
owned schools elsewhere. But once it's in the basket, we know its the 
Archdiocese's money, just like the thousands of dollars raised and 
banked for HHS on the backs of the HHS families who gave their time, 
talents, and money for all the Catholic schools and churches in St. 
Bernard Parish.

The Kellers