On March 15th, I asked Paul Beyerle (pastoral council member with an extensive background in public and parochial education) to lead a Task Force to determine the contributing factors of the declining enrollment at St. Christopher School in the last five years and identify the factors over which we might have some control. Paul enthusiastically accepted and assembled a qualified and passionate team: Joe and Cecilia Castellano, Kevin Moeller, Jr., Marianne Hartke, Sasha Blaine, and Ken and Kathy Enneking.
Many hours of hard work went into researching demographic data, creating a survey, compiling survey results, and formulating a working document. The findings of the Task Force resulted in an Executive Summary that is included in this bulletin, and in a Comprehensive Report that can be read on the St. Christopher Parish, School, and Childcare Center websites.
I extend my gratitude to Paul, the members of the Task Force, those who completed the survey, and all who support St. Christopher School.
You might now ask, “So where do we go from here?” I am not 100% sure. As the demographic trends seem to signify, the school will probably remain smaller than it was in the recent past. Could the school increase back to 2 grades per class? Yes, if more people grasp the value of Catholic education and come to share our passion for Catholic Schools.
Some things we can influence or control, many we cannot. May God give us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Fr. John
Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. Proverbs 22:6
