Good morning. It is a pleasure to be here with Father Kearns, Sister Barbara, the other Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the lay faculty members. Your school has certainly been getting quite a bit of attention lately! It’s been good attention.

I want to congratulate you and the entire parish and school community on the success of the campaign to raise funds for the school and increase enrollment. I know that you announced the totals last night and they are very impressive, especially in such a short period of time. To think that so many people worked together and with such a driving enthusiasm.

Just a few months ago, in January, your parish asked for more time to study the future and begin the financial campaign. I granted that request and at the time it was stated that any decision to reopen the school in September 2006 would depend upon parish income and school enrollment.

One of the most difficult tasks that I face as Archbishop is to evaluate recommendations to close parish schools, because we do not ever want to close a school. I am grateful for the strong ties that the faithful of our parishes have to their schools. Everyone loves their schools and here it is so apparent. While closures or consolidations are often necessary for the good of a parish and to provide the best Catholic education possible for our students, I know that these changes are often painful for the people affected.

That is why it gives me great pleasure to announce that Saint Cyril of Alexandria Parish School will remain open for the 2006-2007 school year. All of this is because, with God’s grace, you worked so hard to make it possible.

I also offer a special greeting to Tommy Geromichalos - Tommy, you inspired so many people with your devotion to St. Cyril’s. You too are to be commended.

The people of Saint Cyril Parish and School have demonstrated a spirit of cooperation and a commitment to Catholic education. I congratulate you for your leadership, Father Kearns, and offer my most sincere good wishes to the people of your parish and school and community who have come together to support Saint Cyril’s. I know that you have more work ahead of you as the school continues to examine its future, and I assure you of my prayers in this regard.

The Saint Cyril’s campaign motto is "I believe." This is fitting because your efforts on behalf of this school have captured the attention of thousands of people both within and beyond East Lansdowne. You are supporting the parish, the school and the Church that you love. Your belief and your hard work are edifying to me and to all. Congratulations and God bless you.

The four parishes of Cluster 63 with elementary schools in Southeast Delaware County are beginning a new chapter in the life of the cluster with a study of Catholic education for elementary school aged children.

Saint Alice Parish, Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Saint Cyril of Alexandria Parish and Saint Philomena Parish have received permission from Cardinal Justin Rigali to conduct feasibility studies of their schools. (St. Laurence Parish is now in Cluster 62.) This study process stems from the very rapid demographic changes occurring in this area of Delaware County. Pastors, principals and lay representatives of the parishes have been meeting on a regular basis for two years to evaluate the future of Catholic education in our parish communities. We are committed to ensuring an affordable, quality, Catholic education for our young people and believe that this is an opportunity to ensure the vitality of our educational offerings.

This study will launch thorough and thoughtful planning in Cluster 63. We will look at all facets of elementary education to ensure that the schools are meeting all of the standards for quality, Catholic education, thus providing the children with strong spiritual, academic, social, service and athletic programs.

A school study committee in each parish will examine demographic and financial information, enrollment history and enrollment projections. Once that this part of the process is complete, a cluster-wide Steering Committee will be established to examine the resources of all parish-based elementary education in the area. The Steering Committee will review all options developed by the school study committees to ensure access to quality Catholic education for all parish children.

During all phases, committee members will be looking to parishioners and school families for input. Surveys will evaluate what is most important to parish and school communities. You will be asked to identify strengths, weaknesses and goals for the future. This will be an open and consultative process with great emphasis on communication between the committees and the parish and school communities.

May God bless our work as we enter into this period of study and consultation. We ask that He watch over us as we strive to provide the best possible Catholic education for the children in our care.

STEERING COMMITTEE

The Steering Committee of Cluster 63 – St. Alice, Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Cyril, St. Louis and St. Philomena – has continued its meetings regarding short-term and long-term efforts to provide the children of Cluster 63 with a quality Catholic education. Parishioners will have an opportunity for input by means of a Parishioner Survey that is being developed and which will be available in late Fall.

Dear Friends,

During the past year our parish, along with other parishes in our area, has participated in a study of the schools in our cluster (St. Alice, Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Philomena and St. Cyril). Numerous meetings have been conducted by members of our parish. A joint committee, composed of parishioners from all four schools and also Diocesan officials, has held frequent meetings during the last year. In the recent past all of our parishioners were contacted for their opinions in order to better understand the future of these four schools.

On December 14th, recommendations were given to the Cardinal. No decision was made. It is up to the Cardinal to decide what is best for the future of Catholic Education in our area. The Cardinal is expected to announce a decision sometime in late January of2006.

Thank you for your advice and prayerful support. In the spirit of this holy season of Christmas, we look forward to a future full of hope and peace for all of those on whom God's favor rests.

May God bless you and those whom you love!

In Christ,
Father Kearns