Thoughts on my school
http://www.saintbernards-school.org/l...rmike.aspxSaint Bernard's High School was created around 1967. The school itself had been operating as a grade school since before the turn of the 20th century. Originally founded to provide quality education to the many Catholic German immigrants in the area, it and other similar schools (Saint Luke's, now Saint Thomas Moore; my old grade school) have long been a part of Saint Paul's education system. No more.
It is rather self evident as to why this is happening. The areas around these schools no longer have the German Catholic majority. Instead many of these areas are inhabited by new waves of immigrants, usually Mung or Somali. People in general are giving less than they used to; not only that but it seems to me that private education is something looked down upon now, not being seen as necessary. In short. small schools like these longer have the demographics needed to survive. It's rather sad. Were I to raise my children here (ignoring my Agnosticism) I think I would want to send them to one of these schools. My formative years were spent here, and they hold alot of memories -good and bad- for me.
Today I decided to attend the school's morning mass; part of the curriculum in this school was religious education, and all students attended Mass at least once a week. This weeks was today, and I showed up a little bit late, but not so late as to receive a blessing from my old priest, Father Mike.
To me, Father Mike was an archetype; he was a Friar Tuck in every sense of the word. Kind, intelligent, with a quiet, but rich laugh that came from an enormous belly that he had earned, pound by pond, over the years. He served mass well, though his voice had a peculiar quality to it that made one want to fall asleep, especially during the sung liturgies, regardless if one was actually tired or not. Though I do not share his religion, he is to me is a prime example of what a priest should be to his flock, particularly one that cares to young students. I will miss him dearly.
As I will miss my school dearly. We will be dispersed; old students must find a new school, whilst alumni will have to keep in touch through other networks. It is a sad day indeed that things much change so.