As the diocese continues with its regionalization plan, St. Patrick’s School is continuing its separation plan. They said they’re not letting Wednesday’s decree stop them.
“Unfortunately we’re quite upset out here at Saint Pat’s in Newry, but we have decided, our parish has decided, our school community has decided that, yes, we are going to continue to function as a school,” said Father Allen Zeth of St. Patrick’s.
Bishop Mark Bartchak decreed Wednesday the diocese will establish a new regional Catholic elementary school for the Altoona area. Holy Trinity Catholic School is scheduled to open at the start of the next school year.
“Regionalization for us is a secular notion of education,” Richard Latker said. Latker’s daughter is enrolled at St. Patrick’s School. “If we wanted our child to go to a separate middle school… we would have sent her to public school.”
Latker’s daughter used to go to Hollidaysburg Catholic. When the regionalization plan was introduced, they moved her to St. Patrick’s.
“We don’t feel comfortable sending our ten-year-old to middle school,” Latker said. “We like the idea of K-8 education where older kids and younger kids are still learning together, are still responsible for one another.”
Many other parents and parishioners seem to agree, as evidenced by a recent influx of financial pledges, checks and volunteers.
“We’re not only getting Saint Patrick’s support, we’re getting a great support from the community also,” Fr. Zeth said.
Despite the decree stating all of the current schools must close at the end of this school year, St. Patrick’s is continuing enrollment for next year. They plan to petition Rome to back them up.
“Fortunately, it’s the parish and not the diocese that actually owns the school,” Latker said. “If the diocese really tries to close it, I think they’ll find that they’re in violation of canon law.”
Fr. Zeth said they plan to pay the diocese what St. Patrick’s owes, and then the school will continue on its own.
“I’m quite confident that Saint Pat’s will stay open, not only next year but well into the future,” Latker said.”
As long as the finances are there, they plan to keep the doors open. They reported having just about met last year’s enrollment numbers as more students continue to sign up.
